Why Think in Systems?
My Chat with David Peter Stroh
I’ve always believed that we can have a positive impact by better understanding the world around us. For the past 7–8 years or so I’ve been fascinated with Systems Thinking as a tool to understand the world around us: from organizations to societies, from people to ecosystems.
That’s why it was such a pleasure to sit down with David Peter Stroh, one of the most prominent voices and thinkers in the world of Systems Thinking, and the bestselling author of Systems Thinking for Social Change, and asking him some very basic questions like: What is a system? Why is it important to understand complex systems? How are the systems we inhabit contributing to inequality, poverty, and injustice — and what can we do about it?
Here are some key lessons I learned from David:
1. Systems are everywhere.
David quotes Donella Meadows definition of a system:
“An interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something.”
This applies to biological systems, machines, organizations, states, societies. Systems can be studied “as systems” — to find common structures, behaviors, and pitfalls.
2. Systems respond in unexpected ways.
Because of the complex nature of systems, they often respond in the opposite way to what we intend when we try to reform or change them. In order to avoid unexpected negative consequences, we must learn to better map and model the system and be a bit humble when we imagine we can redesign them.
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3. Systems like their equilibrium.
A common phrase in Systems Thinking is:
“Systems are perfectly designed to achieve the results they’re currently achieving.”
What this means is that systems may resist attempts to change their equilibrium, because they are structured to produce the bad results they are producing. Certain social systems are designed to generate extreme inequality and will resist attempts to interfere in unexpected but powerful ways.
4. Mindsets are often core parts of a human system.
When analyzing a social system or an organization, a core element we should consider are the mindsets prevalent in the system. Mindsets drive behavior in a major way, and certain mindsets which harden on both sides of an issue may be critical elements in perpetuating a problem. David analyzed the systemic causes of wealth inequality and finds certain mindsets of both the left and the right as key culprits.
As you’ll hear, David and I agree that systems thinking is more than just a technical tool. It’s a way of seeing the world and maybe even a spiritual practice. Respecting complexity and change, approaching problems with humility, and seeing connections when others see only separateness.
I think you’ll really enjoy this episode!?Please?listen and follow ?on your favorite app. We have many other fascinating conversations in the pipeline!
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Originally published at?https://www.remakepod.org ?on October 18, 2020.
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2 个月Great share, Eran!