approach
It is important to acknowledge the vast array of approaches to systems thinking.
In our work we place a large focus on social learning, and systems practice, in addition to the use of systems tools.
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Systems practices develop one’s personal ability to better understand and make sense of complex situations, which enables more effective decision making.
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In our teaching of systems tools, we place emphasis on the need to layer multiple tools in order to see and understand the system from multiple vantage points offered by each tool.
"to transform the world, we must begin with ourselves; and what is important in the beginning with ourselves is the intention. the intention must be to understand ourselves, and not to leave it to others to transform themselves. this is our responsibility, yours and mine; because, however small may be the world we live in, if we can bring about a radically different point of view in our own existence, then perhaps we shall affect the world at large"
j. krishnamurti
our mental model of systems thinking
'Doing systems' is a process, not an outcome. The goal is to deepen our insight on the system. Systems work doesn't have an end point, but is an ongoing journey
Our own personal mental model and practice is the strongest influence in how we understand and see a system.
There is no one way to do systems work, no one starting point. There are multiple journeys and paths
We conceptualize and work from a social and complex systems approach - using social learning activities to unpack and explore the system.
working with us means...
spending time unpacking what is currently invisible
because root causes of complex problems are hidden in plain sight
because we need to pull back the blinders on bias
because the systems becomes visible through layers of perspectives
centering the inner work*
to change the systems from where we stand
to surface and contend with our bias and assumptions
because our personal practices are the most sustainable mechanisms for systems change
returning to what we think we know
to continue to build and expand understanding
to push beyond singular ways of knowing
to engage with the dynamic nature of the system
building and adapting as we go
to respond to what emerges
to contend with unintended consequences
to enable the system to guide the work
