A new perspective
Systems thinking
Systems thinkers see the world as interconnected sets of interacting variables that behave according to governing mechanisms in a way that produce patterns of behaviours over time. These patterns can cause various undesirable outcomes, a.o. global warming, hunger and poverty, highlighting the need for profound transformation. However, such transformation might be challenging as most systems are complex, unpredictable, multi-causal, non-linear, and dynamic in character that span across different scales of time and space. Understanding these characteristics and the functioning of systems is essential to be able to change them. Rooted in cognitive processes like learning, memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and the updating of mental models, systems thinking is crucial for navigating an increasingly uncertain and complex world.
Mindfulness
Systemic change agents, often referred to as system engineers, strive to reshape systems based on their vision of a better world, and as a result, they are frequently perceived as ambitious, idealistic, and ego-driven. While understanding systems is essential to achieve a particular goal or outcome, if that goal is not inherently beneficial or ethical, systemic change can lead to negative or even disastrous results. Because a system of issues and a system of actors reflect two sides of the same coin, inextricably bound, a deep understanding of how we, individually and collectively, relate to the problem needs to be developed. Cultivating an honest, non-judgmental, and mindful perspective enables one to realistically understand its place within the system and, more importantly, to determine the right path forward.