What is systems thinking ?
Systems thinking is about focusing on the interactions of the whole rather than assigning blame to one part or person. There are many branches of systems thinking. The primary types we focus on at LIOS are:
Family Systems Theory
This refers to a body of work by core theorists such as Virginia Satir, Salvadore Minuchin, Murray Bowen, Edwin Friedman, Carl Whitaker, and many more.
Here are some key concepts:
- Problem as symptom – In other words, the problem is not the problem rather the problem is a symptom of something else.
- Healthy boundaries – Healthy boundaries are not too diffuse or too rigid.
- Treat the whole system – Rather than blame one part, a family systems therapist wants all in the household to be part of the treatment.
- Self-differentiation (and Self-differentiated Leadership) – Ability to clearly articulate what one wants, thinks, and feels and tune into and articulate what others want, think, and feel in the midst of tension.
- Homeostasis – Systems create forces that keep them in the same place unless you get intentional about the forces.
- Triangulation – Rather than talking to who you are upset about you talk to someone else about them.
- Family of origin work – Exploration of one’s own personal upbringing to raise awareness of patterns that show up today and gain greater agency in your moment to moment behavior.
Systems Thinking Related to Work
Systems thinking related to work is about clarity of authority and one’s interaction around authority. The work stems from many but perhaps the most important contribution is Kurt Lewin’s studies on authority in groups. Combine that with Robert Crosby’s life journey inside organizations, the work of people like Robert Tannenbaum, Warren Schmidt, Darryl Conner and others, and add in family systems theory, then we have a complete way of thinking about how authority works inside organizations and what one has to do to truly align a system to develop clear direction.
Also included here are Macro vs Micro components of any change. Macro is about aligning the system to what is happening and putting in place the support and structures to ensure success. Most organizations do not spend enough time on the Macro components and only focus on Micro (daily tasks to get stuff done).
Systems Thinking In Relationship
Another dimension of systems thinking is focusing on any pattern between people. This could be a husband/wife, a supplier/customer, etc. Awareness of these patterns, especially of the unique ways one interacts within them, helps one understand that almost all of life is co-created. When one gets this, an abundance of possibilities open up in many, if not all, scenarios.