One of the first steps to collaborate and network with other Systems Thinkers and practitioners is to find a community that suits your interests, goals, and needs. There are many online and offline platforms and groups that offer opportunities to join discussions, events, courses, projects, and mentorship programs related to Systems Thinking. For example, you can check out the Systems Thinkers Network, the Systems Innovation Academy, the Systems Change Alliance, or the International Society for the Systems Sciences. You can also search for local chapters, meetups, or workshops in your area or create your own.
I've found that the right community is crucial in Systems Thinking. Here's how I approach it: - Embrace Diversity: I seek platforms where diverse thoughts flourish. It's the diversity that drives innovation. - Participate Actively: For me, sharing insights and learning from others is vital. It's a two-way street. - Foster Connections: Networking is more than knowledge exchange; it's about building relationships that last and grow.
Once you find your community, you need to engage actively and respectfully with other members. This means not only sharing your own ideas and opinions, but also listening to others, asking questions, giving feedback, and acknowledging different viewpoints and backgrounds. You also need to follow the rules and norms of the community, such as being polite, constructive, inclusive, and honest. By doing so, you will build trust, rapport, and reputation among your peers and potential collaborators.
This is a good rule of thumb to follow in any situation and hopefully becoming part of a common value system. Don't put too much pressure on yourself knowing all the norms of a society; often that fear holds us back from connecting with others. As long as you are respectful, live with integrity, be kind, it's ok if you don't know what other people consider “polite”.
Another way to collaborate and network with other Systems Thinkers and practitioners is to seek feedback and support for your own work and projects. You can ask for advice, suggestions, critiques, or referrals from your community or from specific individuals who have relevant expertise or experience. You can also offer your help and support to others who might need it. By seeking feedback and support, you will improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence, as well as create opportunities for collaboration and learning.
I've found that collaboration is key - I actively seek diverse perspectives on projects, embracing critiques as much as endorsements. It has sharpened my analytical skills and broadened my understanding. I also offer my experience to others, fostering a supportive community. Through this exchange, we not only enhance our individual competencies but collectively elevate our field. Every interaction is an opportunity for growth and innovation.
A third way to collaborate and network with other Systems Thinkers and practitioners is to showcase your work and achievements. You can share your insights, findings, models, tools, or solutions with your community or with a wider audience through blogs, podcasts, videos, webinars, or publications. You can also participate in competitions, awards, or grants that recognize and reward Systems Thinking projects. By showcasing your work and achievements, you will demonstrate your value, credibility, and impact, as well as attract attention and interest from potential partners, clients, or employers.
Starting a PhD was pretty daunting. Having been used to working in leadership positions I suddenly felt quite isolated, and was very aware that to be valuable, my research needed to dovetail, but not duplicate, others’ work. I used several techniques to find others working in the same field, including using the research I had done as part of my Masters degree to reach out. I invested time on internet journeys through other academic or NGO institutions’ websites, finding relevant organisations. Offering a talk at an event or just letting people know about my findings led to great opportunities, from attending conferences to joining academic networks. People are always interested to hear about a new piece of work and want to help and support.
A fourth way to collaborate and network with other Systems Thinkers and practitioners is to learn from diverse sources. You can expand your horizons and perspectives by exploring different disciplines, domains, cultures, and contexts that apply or relate to Systems Thinking. You can also seek out mentors, coaches, or role models who can guide you, inspire you, or challenge you in your Systems Thinking journey. By learning from diverse sources, you will enrich your understanding, creativity, and adaptability, as well as discover new connections and opportunities.
Systems Thinking is often considered to be a meta-discipline which borrows from many other subjects. Its rich genealogy includes the classical sciences, western and eastern philosophy, anthropology, mathematics, poststructuralism, engineering, physiology and so on. Therefore, if you want to expand your horizons and perspectives, you don't always have to seek out people who call themselves "systems thinkers"; or books, courses and groups explicitly focused on "systems thinking". Systems thinking is everywhere if you know where to look; from the world of nature, through great literature, world religions and so on . . .
A fifth and final way to collaborate and network with other Systems Thinkers and practitioners is to keep an open mind. You need to be willing to experiment, learn, change, and grow as a Systems Thinker and practitioner. You also need to be open to different ideas, opinions, approaches, and solutions that might differ from or contradict your own. You also need to be open to feedback, criticism, failure, and uncertainty that might arise along the way. By keeping an open mind, you will foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation among yourself and others.
Being rigid in your views and approaches to system thinking is not helpful and doesn’t align with the philosophy of systems thinking to explore different perspectives. If you are more advanced in your knowledge it is important to supplement others in their learning journey and no to mock them for their lack of understanding.
The core text here says, "You also need to be open to feedback, criticism, failure, and uncertainty". However, Systems Thinking often requires us to go further than just being "open" to these experiences. Rather, we need to proactively seek out and welcome these elements. For example, criticism, apparent failure and the discomfort of grappling with uncertainty can be rich sources of learning, growth and new insights.
LinkedIn! I love this social media platform to connect with other professionals, especially in unique areas like systems. I'm meeting people from all over the world I'd have not met otherwise and it is just so cool.
Finding a community of system thinkers is important to get support and explore ideas, especially when you are in an organisation that doesn’t embrace this approach. Members from the community can provide advice to overcome these challenges.