⛺️ Solve the problem by fixing the system.
[Founder's Note: When I re-read this piece, written on 21st November 2024 for ARC's Leadership Campfire, I was reminded why How Wolves Change Rivers remains one of the best videos to explain the essence of Systems Thinking. The concept has fascinated me ever since, and this newsletter is meant to be a short introduction to what Systems Thinking really is.
If this sparks your curiosity, I’d highly recommend Donella Meadows’ book Thinking in Systems.]
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— Adi Raheja
Illustrated by Nidhi Mittal
Solve the problem, by fixing the system.
In the 1990s, wolves were reintroduced to Yellow Stone National Park after being absent for nearly 70 years. What happened next will blow your mind!
Over a period of time, the wolves reduced overgrazing in certain areas, allowing vegetation to regenerate along riverbanks. This helped reduce erosions and provided habitats for other species. All these changes improved the overall health of the ecosystem, influencing the course of the rivers by creating a more stable and diverse water channels.
This is a simple example of Systems Thinking.
What is Systems Thinking?
A system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific goal. And, systems thinking, is a disciplined approach that helps you look at problems and situations holistically, allowing you to understand them more throughly before taking action. For a person who is familiar with this concept, the whole phenomenon of ‘How Wolves Change Rivers’ might not be as surprising.
Each system is made up of smaller sub-systems and they all share similar characteristics:
Interconnectedness
Wide-reaching influence
Clear boundaries
Purpose-driven nature
Room for emergence
Feedback loops
While this might seem theoretical at first, but the essence of it is what matters. For some, zooming out and seeing all of these different components in play might come easier, while for some it may come with practice.
What is important is how one can adopt System Thinking as a mindset.
For more on systems thinking, check out this resource: The Systems Thinker.
Let’s get real.
Now that the context is set, let’s take a real life example of an organisation that has high employee turnover.
Usually when a problem like this arises, we jump to address the symptoms of it.
“Hire more recruiters to fill vacancies.”
“Offer higher salaries to retain staff.”
Or sometimes even ignore it.
“We are a start-up, hire and fire is how we work.”
But, a system thinking approach will involve, looking at the underlying system to the visible problem.
What are the root causes of high turnover?
Are employees leaving due to lack of career growth opportunities, poor management practices, or an unhealthy work-life balance?
Through research, these deeper issues can be uncovered and through applied behavioural science the right interventions can be made to bring in change.
Once we see the underlying system to a visible problem, we can change it.
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