Systems Thinking for World Peace
Everything affects everything else and nothing really exists on its own. We'll be tackling systems thinking to help you with your Agile journey.
Agile Matinée is a fortnightly dispatch curated by Panaxeo, one Agile topic at a time. We bribe five Agile enthusiasts with croissants and expect them to collect interesting and read-worthy content in return. This one will introduce you to systems thinking and make your life that much easier.
Welcome back!
And stop right there. We’ll be zooming out in this edition, so you better get into the right mindset. Everything is interconnected, one distant thing affects the other. Got it? Okay, let’s continue.
You can easily tackle many problems by seeing them as interconnected puzzle pieces in a grand system. You just need to know which string to pull and when. That’s exactly what our teams, their environments, and overall product dynamics are driven by – systems.
Whether you’re a Scrum Master or a Product Owner, focusing on the map over the territory from time to time can help you analyze, predict, and debug systemic issues. May this edition serve you well!
“Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.”
— Siddhartha Gautama (aka the Buddha)
01.
Look at U! What kind of thinker are you?
(4-min read)
Alrighty, let’s start with a little self-reflection. When it comes to zooming in or out, are you more like a microscope or a wide-angle lens? Discover what type of thinker you are before we embark on our systemic topics. Thanks to João Dias, it’ll only take a moment.
02.
Ahoy! — Why should systems thinking become your go-to leadership strategy
(8-min read)
We often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks and various responsibilities, leaving little room to address unforeseen challenges. When confronted with an issue, we tend to shift our focus entirely towards resolving it, momentarily setting aside all other tasks. But what about the bigger picture?
Imagine this: you’re the captain of a ship, navigating through treacherous waters. You don’t focus on just one leak, because fixing it won’t mean squat if the whole ship is about to sink!
Your secret weapon is systems thinking; Paul Slezak will help you navigate the choppy seas of leadership with skill.
03.
The ABC – 6 Fundamental Concepts of Systems Thinking
(7-min read)
One should know the ABC before attempting to read Pride and Prejudice. Turns out, it’s the same with systems thinking. So here you go – dip your spoon into Leyla Acaroglu’s alphabet soup of systems thinking and its 6 core concepts.
(PS: There are more.)
04.
Discover the magic of systems thinking in agile transformations!
(11-min read)
It’s like adding rocket fuel to your agile journey. Unlock the full potential of systems thinking and uncover hidden connections, optimize processes, and supercharge your agile transformation.
Let Prince Mishra help you take the leap into a whole new dimension of agility.
05.
Real-life lore? – 8 Typical system archetypes with workplace examples.
(an evening read)
Ever wondered why Jimmy got a promotion over (the much smarter) you? How to defuse that escalating relationship between your product owner, key customer, and the cleaning staff? Why does your team keep lowering the quality bar like it’s a limbo contest?
You’re not alone! Get to know basic systemic archetypes and measures to address them.
Important Note: Judging by the amount of “Ooohs!” and “Aaahs!” you’re likely to produce, we’re inclined to mark this one as NSFW.
06.
Systems thinking as a team-building approach!
(15-min read)
Once upon a time, in a booming company, they realized that teamwork and communication were like peanut butter and jelly for managing complex systems. So, they decided to spice things up with a dash of systems thinking.
The employees embarked on a quest to uncover hidden patterns and conquer the dreaded beast called burnout. They learned that a culture of “yes” was like a sneaky ninja, silently draining their efficiency.
Armed with the power of clear communication and managing customer expectations, they transformed their work life into a wild and wonderful journey.
And they all lived happily and efficiently ever after.
07.
Can we change the world with systems thinking?
(6-min read)
This is the story of a fearless entrepreneur who brought broadband internet to every U.S. public school classroom. He realized that it required more than just entrepreneurial flair; it needed a systems thinker!
With tools like research, communications, policy, and measurement, Evan mapped out the players, engaged governors, rallied CEOs, and pushed for policy changes. His efforts paid off, boosting school connectivity from 30% of U.S. districts to 77%
So, fellow social entrepreneurs, take a cue from Evan and unleash your inner superhero to tackle the whole system and change the world!
That’s it; we’re off.
Hope you’ve basked enough in this Agile well of inspiration. Now, go about your day and put this stuff into practice! Oh, and unless you want to miss our next digest, follow us on LinkedIn or share this post with your friends and frenemies!
Hasta la Agilista, baby!