Systems Thinking Toolkit - Habits of a System Thinker

Reflection Activity

Take a few minutes to reflect upon this image. How many things are connected? Think about the trees, air, sunlight, roots, leaves, animals and water.

Lillac / Shutterstock

By developing a systems thinking mindset, as you are beginning to practice in the reflection activity you just completed, we can better understand and address complex issues in our personal and professional lives. A systems thinking mindset enables us to effect real change by harnessing the interconnectedness of all things.

Humber’s goal is to have its graduates approach situations by knowing the limits of their own knowledge and engaging multiple perspectives. We want to encourage them to ask “what if?”. We develop curious, compassionate, and courageous thinkers who actively break down silos and promote holistic problem finding.

Now, take a few moments to reflect on a current challenge that you are facing in your work or personal life. You can choose any issue that you are passionate about from environmental sustainability, to social justice, to improving educational outcomes.

Think about how you can approach the problem from a holistic perspective, considering the interconnectedness of all things.

How can you engage multiple perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of the issue?

How can you recognize the limits of your own knowledge and seek out new information and ideas?

Consider how the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion can be applied to your problem or challenge. How can you ensure that all stakeholders are represented and their diverse needs and perspectives are taken into account?

How can you break down silos and promote collaboration among different groups and organizations?

The key to solving many of the problems you have just grappled with is to keep asking "what if?" and challenging assumptions.

Let’s think about the image of the forest again. Think about how it is a complex system made up of countless individual trees, plants, animals, and microorganisms—all of which are interconnected and interdependent. Just like the parts of a forest, the various elements of any system are not isolated, but rather are constantly interacting with and influencing one another.

Also, the entire ecosystem depends on the health of each individual component. In the same way, a systems thinker approaches problems and challenges in a holistic manner, recognizing that solutions must consider all aspects of the system and the relationships between them. A forest is constantly changing and adapting to its environment, with different species growing and dying, and new interactions emerging. Similarly, a systems thinker is adaptable and curious, always seeking to understand and engage with the ever-changing complexities of the world around them.