Systems Thinking: Solving the Root of the Problem
It’s easy to get stuck fighting fires. We jump from one crisis to the next, patching problems without ever asking: “What’s causing this in the first place?”
That’s where being disciplined to pause and take a systems thinking perspective comes in.
Systems thinking is a way of understanding complex problems by seeing how the parts of a system interact—rather than treating (or reacting to) each part in isolation. It’s a framework that’s been around formally since the 1950s (think Peter Senge’s The Fifth Discipline) but has roots in ancient wisdom. Aristotle reminded us that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”—a truth that’s just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.
In our modern workplaces, systems thinking helps us step back from the daily grind and see the bigger picture:
How does this challenge connect to other challenges?
Where might a small change create a big shift?
What unintended consequences might happen if I fix one part of the system but ignore the rest?
It’s not just for CEOs or engineers. Systems thinking is a mindset that helps anyone who wants to solve problems smarter, collaborate better, and build solutions that last. Let’s take a look where a lack of systems thinking was missing, and see what it looks like brought to life.
A Cautionary Tale: The Fall of the Roman Empire
A great example of when systems thinking was missing is in the fall of the Roman Empire. Once the most powerful system in the world, the Roman Empire collapsed not because of external threats like barbarian invasions, but because of internal decay: economic inequality, political instability, and overextension. Leaders focused on patching immediate threats (like defending borders) without addressing the underlying causes that were eroding the entire system from within.
The result? Collapse.
This feels like a particularly relevant example considering the state of the world and politics today. So many competing problems, but all really based on a foundational issue. Trying to tackle the symptoms doesn’t cure the root.
A Success Story: Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager
Now, let’s jump 346 years into the future. Captain Kathryn Janeway faced one of the most complex leadership challenges in the galaxy: stranded in the Delta Quadrant, 70,000 light-years from home, she had to integrate two very different crews—Starfleet and the Maquis—each with its own culture, values, and loyalties.
Instead of quick fixes or brute force, Janeway approached the challenge with systems thinking:
She saw the crew as an interconnected whole, not just individuals with different uniforms.
She recognized feedback loops—understanding that every decision (discipline, trust, compromise) would ripple across morale and performance.
She identified leverage points—like assigning Maquis members to key leadership roles to build trust and unity.
She thought long-term, constantly asking: “How will this choice affect our chances of getting home—and the culture we build along the way?”
Her approach turned a fragmented crew into a unified team capable of navigating uncharted territory—and getting home together.
It’s rarely about only a single issue.
Most challenges aren’t isolated. They’re part of a system—and if we treat them like one-off problems, we’re just treating symptoms. Systems thinking helps us see the whole picture, ask better questions, and make smarter decisions that last. Here’s how you can bring systems thinking into your work—and your life:
Zoom Out Before Zooming In: Ask: “What else is connected to this problem? How might changes here affect other parts of the system?”
Identify Feedback Loops: Look for reinforcing loops (that amplify change) and balancing loops (that stabilize or resist change).
Spot Leverage Points: Ask: “Where could a small change make a big difference?”
Challenge Assumptions: Write down what you think you know—and then ask: “What if that’s only part of the story?”
Think Long-Term: Ask: “What are the potential downstream effects of this decision?”
Invite Diverse Perspectives: Get input from different roles, teams, and levels. Systems thinking thrives on seeing problems from multiple angles.
Maybe it’s time to take a different approach.
Systems thinking isn’t just a tool—it’s a mindset. It helps us move from reactive firefighting to proactive problem-solving. Imagine what would change if we all paused long enough to see the forest and the trees. Because in a world that’s always shifting, systems thinking might just be the most important skill of all.
So here’s my invitation to you: This week, pick one challenge you’re facing and try to map out the system around it. Who’s involved? What processes connect? Where are the feedback loops and leverage points? I’ve seen this play out time and again in my own work—and it’s a game-changer when teams shift from blame and band-aids to systems thinking.
👉 What’s one small step you can take to see the system—and change it for the better?