When pursuing our calling it’s important to have an understanding that we will be interacting with not just a single organization or group of people, but there is a whole system.
Systems thinking means we understand that there are many things influencing a situation. Often times there are reinforcing or limiting feedbacks in the system that either escalate the system or dampen it. Understanding that systems are involved can help us avoid unintended consequences and be more effective at getting the results we want.
They’re in a System
This is important for a couple of reason. First, we can sometimes change a whole system by affecting just one part of it. Sometimes this one part may even seem unrelated to the people we’re trying to affect. For example, we may want to end the sex trafficking “industry”. So we can rescue girls out of sex trafficking. But with systems thinking we might consider trying to reduce the demand for this “industry” instead. Using systems thinking can open up many options for us.
We’re in a System
Secondly, when we enter into our calling, we need to understand that we aren’t the only ones trying to positively influence certain people. There are other organizations, and people involved as well. Instead of trying to work in a silo, it’s better to partner with these other people and organizations. For example, if we are a teacher, our students are influenced not just in the classroom, but also by their family and their community. The teacher will probably be more successful if they can enroll the parents and community members to encourage the kids.
So, what about you? Have you considered the systems that are involved where you work or spend your time?
