rules of systemic thinking

One of the rules of systematic thinking

• Today's problem is caused by yesterday's decision.
• Sharpness and compression are not a solution to the problem.
• Share the problem with the owners before it gets worse.
• Anything that comes in a hurry goes quickly.
• The solution to the problem may be worse than the consequences.
• Finding a solution quickly may lead to a slower solution to the problem.
• The effect is not always related to the cause.
• Small changes can lead to big results.
• Imagine possible solutions and their long-term results.
• Don't look at the problem through the eye of a needle or divide it.
• Don't blame anyone else.

Systematic thinking is one of the most important ways to solve the complex problems facing us, and it has several rules and tools, and it is used in all fields to organize matters in professional and personal life, and for this, Peter Senge, one of the most famous thinkers in the world, developed; Some of the 11 rules of systemic thinking that we can use as employees, leaders, or even as those responsible for making a personal and fateful decision, and by following these rules; We can reduce the chances of consequences that may result from a wrong decision.

Today's problem is caused by yesterday's decision:  Mostly the problems we face today in education, the environment, or even our personal lives; It is only the result of a decision we made in the past in good faith; For example: the ozone hole and the climatic changes that the whole world is suffering from today are the result of the industrial and technological revolution that is now invading the world.

Sharpness and pressure are not a solution to the problem:  We often favor our point of view at the expense of the point of view of others. At work, we put our employees under constant pressure to enhance their vision and thinking, and to prove the validity of what they say, but if we look at things in a holistic view and think in an organized manner; We will find that employees who work in an environment free of work pressures and a collaborative environment are more innovative in solving problems. That is why you, as a work leader, must know that the invitation to share opinions and accept differences is what creates brilliant ideas.

Sharing the problem with its owners before it gets worse:  Hiding the problems from the original owners makes the matter more complicated, and this is because you may reach a reckless solution that does not satisfy them later, or you withhold a solution from them and spend more time to reach the solution for fear of their knowledge of the matter.

Everything that comes in a hurry goes quickly:  you should not think about a solution to problems just to solve them today or now, but you must take enough time to provide a solution for today, tomorrow and the future, so that you do not see the problem reappearing on the discussion table, take your time, organize your thoughts, And look far into the future, you should not think while looking at your feet only.

The solution to the problem may be worse than its consequences:  We have a famous sentence that says “Give me a hook, and don't give me a fish.” Of course, if I give you a fish, you will need the same tomorrow and every next day. it abolishes the law of dependence; Then you depend on yourself and you may catch more than that fish that I give you. This is the rules of systematic thinking. If we think about the solution and then we think about the consequences that may result from this solution; We reduce the chance that our decision will be wrong. 

Reaching the solution quickly may lead to solving the problem slowly:  The first solution that comes to your mind does not have to be the right one, as it may take a long time to implement it or until people get used to it, and for this we say do not be disappointed in those who consult, consult those around you, and understand and study the different opinions. Seriously, community participation is always supportive of you and your business.

The result is not always related to the cause:  in fact, the result is often related to the reason that may lead to it or the previous decision that you took, but in the world of business and business, this belief may have its foundations shaken. You may have a problem and you think, in your individual opinion, that its cause is known and expected. But you may be surprised when you learn later that the cause of the problem is something else entirely. For example, the problem may be one of the plots of your competitors, or that your previous decision was correct, but when implementing it, a mistake occurred from one of your employees. That is why your thinking must be systematic, and you take the reasons and study the matter, and then consult those around you.

Small changes can lead to big results:  sometimes a simple change or a small decision can lead to solving the entire problem, so do not mock the opinions of those around you before studying them.

Imagine possible solutions and their long-term results:  put all the solutions you and your team have come up with on the table and discuss them again, be democratic and don't eat the cake alone, you are not alone in the system in which you work.

Do not look at the problem through the eye of a needle and divide it:  Do not make your view limited and look at the problem through the eye of a needle and you notice only part of it, as this makes your solution fragile and weak. Look at the problem from all angles in a holistic, non-chaotic view. Not really correct.

Do not blame others:  the members of your work team cannot be treated as individual entities, but rather that each person there is an important pillar in the team, and breaking it means the fall of the entire team, so do not submit to your desire to blame anyone, as you waste a lot of The time that could have been used to solve the problem, and by blaming him, you put a burden and pressure on him, and thus he becomes confused and unable to find a solution with you. Finding the solution is to discuss with this person and understand the consequences of his act, and give him what he deserves, but with wisdom and softness, so you win him on your side and he will always be one of your loyalists.

Advantages of applying the rules of systematic thinking

• It helps you connect things.
• It is not limited to one premise.
• It improves the efficiency of the organization as a whole.
• Reduces wastage of resources.
• It can be applied to all systems.

It helps you in linking things:  one of the most important rules of systematic thinking is that it does not make you think about things in a kind of superficial way.

It is not limited to one hypothesis:  the problem is not always related to the cause, and this is what we explained previously; That is why systematic thinking teaches you to analyze everything and consult those around you, to put forward all possible solutions and the causes of the problem.

Improves the efficiency of the organization as a whole:   The best thinking systems are those that make you think comprehensively, so do not think about a solution while you are looking at your feet, but rather you must think for the future and plan for what is to come, and then study your decision after consultation, and discuss its effects on all departments of the organization, which improves overall efficiency.

Reducing the waste of resources:   Thinking about solutions logically, and presenting them to your partners and those with consultation, makes the chance of falling into the trap of the wrong decision weak, and thus not wasting your organization's resources on useless solutions.

It can be applied to all systems:   The rules of systemic thinking can be applied to all systems, as you can work with them whether you are a boss, an employee, or even in your personal life.