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Actualized.org Intro To Systems Thinking Notes

What is a system?

⁃A system is a set of interconnected things. So we can think of systems as elements, and the
relationships or connections between those elements. These relationships are usually much
less tangible, and yet these relationships are more important than the elements themselves.
⁃A system also causes its own behavior.
⁃A system also has purpose, it serves a function, and it is very important to understand what
the function is. The function is an even more important aspect of the system beyond the
elements and relationships. So as important as the relationships are in a system, the purpose
of the system is even more important, because that determines the general behavior of what
the system is doing. And the most common purpose of systems is to protect themselves, to
maintain homeostasis, and to expand themselves and to grow.
⁃Systems are highly ordered, yet at the same time are highly chaotic. Chaotic meaning that
they are non-linear and difficult to predict what’s going to happen with them. Systems are self-
organizing, self-sustaining, and self-repairing.
⁃And systems respond to outside forces in complex ways.

Principles of Systems Thinking:

1. Problems are systematic and not personal
2. Seeing everything as a system
3. Non-linearity (playing the game changes the rules of the game)
4. Systems are very counterintuitive
5. Local actions have global impact (ripple effect)
6. Becoming conscious of backfiring mechanisms (you are your greatest enemy)
7. Being aware of false boundaries (we draw the boundaries, and redrawing the boundaries
can help find the root problem and solution)
8. The world is dynamic rather than static
9. There are no easy, brute-force solutions
10. Intuition and holism versus reductionism (the whole is greater than the sum of its parts)
11. Complexity, nuance, valuing wisdom and learning (the power and solution lies in the
understanding of the system, not manipulating)
12. Taking preventative action rather than fixing problems as they arise (being forward-
thinking, and expecting unforeseen consequences of your actions)
13. Looking for the root causes of issues rather than the superficial aspects
14. Concern for balance
15. Having a global concern rather than a local or tribal concern
16. Materialism is not the only game in town (success is not the only or most important goal)
17. Recognizing the dangers of self-interest (requires self-reflection)
18. Recognizing that changing paradigms is a huge leverage point for changing systems
19. Integrating multiple perspectives
20. Studying patterns and cycles of systems
21. Studying systems versus manipulating them
22. Studying feedback loops

Characteristics of System-Thinkers:
1. Humble
2. Self-reflective
3. Appreciate the wisdom of nature
4. See situations as democratic and egalitarian and as humanistic as possible
5. Very concerned about sustainability
6. System-thinkers think how to think
7. Solutions oriented