Applying systems thinking
October 4, 2008 | 7:09 pmI don’t write about systems thinking in this blog, because I am an expert. I write because I am very interested and want to learn more. Gerald Weinberg use to say, “When I want to learn something I start to write a book about it”. I haven’t written a book (yet), but I like to write anyway. It helps me to clear up my thinking and this blog is one place to my express thoughts in.
Learning
Systems thinking seem to be a very much needed discipline these days. To get good at it, you can read books and articles. Another way is to discuss with experienced people.
Applying
Yet another important way is to apply systems thinking and learn from doing it yourself. The theme of this blog is “Applied systems thinking” because I do not desire a good intellectual understanding only of these things, but to be able to solve real and tough problems. It is not a goal to intellectualize and analyze systems thinking. Since we have this love for being analytical in our western culture, we are in danger of becoming intellectual only. The thing is to get our hands dirty and apply it to the world around us.
Heart
Getting involved means engaging our whole person, thoughts and feelings, deep down in our hearts. Peter Senge in his book The fifth discipline talks about personal mastery. A whole person can better see the whole perspective. Solving tough problems with people involved requires empathy to be successful.
And you?
I am sure someone is reading this post and you are as interested in this as I am. What do you think? How can we learn and grow in applying systems thinking? I feel like being on a journey learning new things. What about you?
You might find our recent book on systems thinking interesting – its called Understanding Thinking – and you can download the pfd file from http://www.lulu.com for FREE at the moment. See links at http://www.gts-training.co.uk
You cannot begin to appreciate how warm your opening paragraph makes me fee. To learn that someone out there has learned from my own learning (my books, for instance) fulfills my fondest dreams. I guess I should have said:
“When I want to learn something I try to find someone to teach about it. (Sometimes that teaching involves writing a book.”
So, don’t be intimidated by the task of writing a book. Any small act of teaching will give you the same benefits. (as you’ve just learned something by trying to teach others.)
Gerald M. Weinberg http://www.geraldmweinberg.com
John,
Thanks for the link to your site and for the pdf-book. Your work on Graphical Thinking looks very interesting. My wife is a teacher (ages 16-19 yrs) and often works with students that have difficulties to adapt to the class room environment and learn the “normal” way. We have many times discussed what can be done to enhance their learning and motivate them. It would be interesting to know more about your work.
Gerald,
Thanks! Yes, that’s a wonderful princple. When we give to others, we also receive ourselves.
/Anders
Hi Anders, I appreciate your ideas and your writing!
Here’s a video recorded whole day seminar on Systems Thinking with Dr. Russel L. Ackoff that I have found enlightening. In addition to be a great introduction to Systems Thinking, he talks a lot about education.
Part 1 – Introduction and beginning of presentation
Part 2 – Continuation of presentation
Part 3 – Continuation of presentation
Part 4 – Questions, Answers and Summations
Eric
Thanks a lot for your comment and for the links!
I really look forward to watch the videos. And Russel Ackoff is even talking about education! I know he has a recent book about that subject.
The links of part 2 – 4 didn’t come out as they should.
Part 2 – Continuation of presentation
Part 3 – Continuation of presentation”
Part 4 – Questions, Answers and Summations
[...] this link via: Versterberg.se: Applying Systems Thinking (See the comments area) Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Oprah makes latest book [...]
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Excellent! I currently cannot access the Girls Link talks, but I’ll keep trying until I can. Thanks Eric and Anders.
Hi Anders,
As of late I have been reminded of a fabulous John Muir quote: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” I think this sufficiently describes systems thinking. Another great thinker Fritoj Capra has a nice book “Hidden Connections”.
Finding others who have been inspired by systems thinking is quite gratifying. Here is a bit from my Web site about systems thinking. This is excerpt from a proposal to use a hyperspectral sensor for environmental purposes. From this link have a link to a great book on Systems Thinking – http://www.solomonsource.com/the-puzzle.php
This stuff is kind of like going “down the rabbit hole”, ultimately it ties to several other things, but the end game has to be about education, but not it the traditional sense.
All the best,
Andy
Thanks Andy!
Fritjof Capra is great. His brother has made a film called Mindwalk and it can be found here
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=854094769667634943&hl=en
Unfortunately every time I have tried to watch it has been painfully slow.
/Anders
Systems Thinking has been the key paradigm of my worldview for years now. It has influenced me so much that I named my website SystemsThinker.com. I’m always excited to meet others interested in the field.
I have written a pretty good summary of Systems Thinking’s basic ideas on my site. And throughout my site and blog I try to apply a Systems Thinking perspective to many issues.
Thanks for dropping by.
I have visited your site several times. Some weeks ago I read about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Interesting.
/Anders
Bottom Up Systems Thinking
Cross-pollinating ;O)
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