Systems thinking is one of the new modern terms used by many managers, psychologists, personal growth coaches and other coaches. Its level illustrates the speed and quality of decision-making, so this indicator is studied at the time of hiring as an important characteristic of a future employee.
What is systems thinking and what is its purpose
The traditional logical approach to the perception of reality and the study of any phenomenon is based on the fact that the observed system is divided into components. They are subjected to study with subsequent collection into one whole. By performing these actions, a person deliberately simplifies the system, while missing a large number of combinations of factors that influence each other.
The structure of the whole world can be described as a system. It is integral, there are no separate fragments in it, which are in no way connected with the rest of the components.
The concept of "system" can be equated with education, existing and functioning through the multivariate interaction of a largethe number of its parts. The peculiarity of the system is that it is influenced not by the composition of the parts, but by the ways and methods of their interaction with each other. The nature of this mutual influence is non-linear, mostly hidden and non-obvious, and sometimes even paradoxical. Systems thinking is aimed at finding or developing such a model of the universe, within which it will be possible to place landmarks in the world with high accuracy.
Properties of systems thinking
It is desirable to start the development of systems thinking from childhood. Thus, it will become the main way of perceiving reality. People with systems thinking gain the following abilities:
- They see wholeness, fullness of multiple connections.
- Understand the need to distort the model of reality, due to which there is a simplification of perception and the ability to switch between models.
- Can recognize the feedback effect. Its essence lies in the influence that one link of the system has on all the others. Fluctuations are inevitable and available for consideration, but the result is rarely immediate, more often it is delayed in time. Therefore, it is difficult to see him.
- Ready for the constant need to change your beliefs.
- Able to see different levels of reality. Regardless of the degree of magnification, they are able to switch between coordinate systems, and also pay attention to the system as a whole and to the components.
- Can independently generate mentalmodels of the world to create their cause-and-effect relationships.
The importance of systems thinking in assessing staff competence
Testing, interviews and assessment of the basic qualities of applicants for various positions are carried out in order to form the right impression of the applicant's professional abilities, as well as his personality as a whole. A scientific approach to creating a team helps to achieve a more coordinated work of the enterprise, a full return on employees and their satisfaction from work. It also minimizes conflicts and misunderstandings.
Systems thinking is an important ability of a good employee, therefore, assessing its level, HR managers study the following qualities of applicants:
- Ability to efficiently analyze a large amount of information.
- The ability to identify patterns in various situations, as well as to form a holistic picture of what is happening.
- The ability to assess the risks and opportunities associated with the process of making a decision.
Differentiation of levels of systemic thinking
Depending on how developed the systemic approach, systemic thinking of the test person, one of several levels can be assigned to him.
1. Zero, it is called the level of incompetence:
- Such people are not inclined to analyze anything, act intuitively.
- Unable to prioritize, assess risk or consequences, and leavewithout attention to the most important circumstances of the situation.
- They tend to make rash decisions.
2. First (initial):
- Able to see the various factors that influence the situation, structure information data using meaningful (non-contradictory) criteria, and draw logical conclusions.
- They can form a systematic view of the situation and trace causal relationships only in the area in which they are well oriented.
3. Second (based on the first level):
- Able to differentiate data and separate major from minor, as well as to analyze fairly large amounts of information, including complex and multifactorial phenomena.
- Can see cause-and-effect relationships, identify major patterns while analyzing almost any situation (including those that are beyond their professional competence).
- See the barriers to achieving goals and can bypass or overcome them.
- Their thinking is variant, meaning they are able to come up with more than one standard solution to a problem.
4. Third (based on the second level):
- Can effectively complete the missing links of the system, including in the absence of the necessary data, draw the right conclusions based on partial or conflicting information.
- Able to produce new concepts,which allow finding solutions for very complex practical problems.
The ability to think systems can be developed
First of all, you should find out for yourself the essence and scope of this skill. After all, systems thinking is a quality that is useful not only in the workplace, but also in any life circumstances. Even when it comes to such a trivial matter as a conflict over a family dinner, it is sometimes necessary to look at the situation from the outside, analyze its prerequisites and assess the possible consequences.
Literature, audio files and videos become a source of unique information that helps to study systems thinking. Books (electronic, paper or audio) allow you to fully plunge into the world of the author's experiences. It is important to go through all the steps with him on the way to mastering full-fledged systems thinking.
Among worthy authors in this field is Joseph O'Connor ("The Art of Systems Thinking"). His book was a revelation to many. Talking about elementary and, it would seem, well-known, completely familiar things, this writer was able to point out the main barriers that prevent systemic thinking, as well as ways to eliminate them. In addition to the fact that O'Connor's The Art of Systems Thinking was written on the basis of serious developments, his language is extremely accessible and understandable. Using the recommendations in this book, you can independently form and develop the necessary skills.
Systems Thinking Connor teaches with numerous examples in which eachthe reader can consider himself, his acquaintances and various life situations.
Academician V. Tolkachev deals with the development of systems thinking among Russian-speaking writers. True, his book The Luxury of Systems Thinking is much more complicated than Connor's. It is intended for students or interns of psychological faculties and develops the ideas raised by S. Freud. Continuing the theory of Freud, as well as the achievements of his followers, it was Tolkachev who introduced the division of personalities into eight psychotypes. He calls systems thinking system-vector.
What can be done today
Even if you don't have time to read and listen to books, you can apply the simplest methods to gradually develop systems thinking. The first step is to define your mental models. So they call everything that a person believes in, and what he firmly believes in. These models serve as a basis for decision-making and a kind of “glasses” through which a person looks at the world. Often they allow him to see only what he wants. The main mental models include:
- The process of deleting information that does not fit into the existing model.
- The ability to construct, that is, to mentally complete the missing parts. This technique allows a person to avoid misunderstanding.
- Distortion towards downplaying or exaggerating system components.
- Representing an experience that happened once as typical.
Knowing which mental models affectown behavior, allows you to expand them to take into account the features of the system and more factors.
The Importance of Watching Successful Systems
Given that systems thinking is the ability to understand the functioning of a system, it is pointless to try to learn individual parts to develop a skill. The main property of systems is the appearance of properties characteristic of systems, but absent from its components. The study of the system is available in the process of monitoring it. To develop systems thinking, it is worth observing effective and successful objects. It is necessary to study the principles of their work, the nature of the connections between the parts, the consequences of the various actions taken. This technique leads to understanding how successful systems work and applying this knowledge in life.
Breaking stereotypes
Revision and correction of the established attitude to reality are extremely important for a person's freedom of action. Stereotypes are developed from past experience and are quite good for working out a simple, typical solution, but are completely irrelevant if a completely new problem has arisen. Systems thinking solutions are based on the development of fresh concepts, which is why it is so useful to train your ingenuity and unconventional approach to the situation.
Expanding the range of interests
With the expansion of interests, views and horizons of a person, his thinking acquires variability. A wide range of interests automatically leads to an unconscious expansion of mental maps. This, inin turn, helps develop systems thinking.
Artificial creation of uncertainty
If you deliberately create various situations of uncertainty and find new ways to solve them, you can get very good results in training systems thinking. In real life, there are no situations that can be called certain with certainty. A lot of factors can have an impact at the most unexpected moment.
Creative problem solving
In fact, this is the most efficient and effective way to train creativity and develop systems thinking. It is used at the stage of hiring at Microsoft. Candidates for the position are required to solve several tasks of creative content.
Given all the above circumstances, it can be argued that the art of systems thinking is an achievable goal. As with any training, it will take time, willpower, perseverance and perseverance. However, the result is worth it, as it leads to a deeper perception of the processes occurring in nature, society and in the human body itself.
