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Category: Understanding complex problems

  • Systemic thinking for changemakers | Acting holistically and effectively

    Systemic thinking for changemakers | Acting holistically and effectively

    An eye for the big picture

    Many people who become socially involved start with a clear cause. An issue that moves them. A problem they want to tackle. But the deeper they get involved, the clearer it becomes: It doesn’t stop at this one problem. Everything is interconnected. Systemic thinking for changemakers helps to make sense of this confusion.

    Anyone committed to preserving biodiversity, for example, quickly comes up against climate change. This in turn is closely linked to water cycles, which are endangered by construction and infrastructure projects. These in turn are linked to tourism, economic policy and global consumer habits. The interdependencies increase the deeper you look.

    The result: excessive demands. Disorientation. Frittering away.

    But there is a way of thinking that does not get lost in this complexity, but finds orientation in it: systemic thinking.

    Why systemic thinking is so important today

    Systemic thinking means recognizing connections, understanding patterns and looking at the big picture. It’s not about simplifying everything – it’s about allowing the right complexity to make smarter decisions.

    A powerful framework for this is The Wicked7 project. It identifies seven fundamental, interlinked problem areas that are involved in many social challenges:

    1. The death of nature
    2. Inequality
    3. Hate and conflict
    4. Abuse of power and corruption
    5. Work and technology
    6. Health and livelihoods
    7. Population and migration

    These problems are not independent of each other – they are mutually dependent. If you focus on one of these fields, you will almost always encounter the others. And this is precisely why systemic thinking is so essential.

    How does systemic thinking differ from classical thinking?

    In traditional problem-solving approaches, the logic is usually linear: a problem is identified, a cause is named and a solution is developed. However, this is not enough for complex social and ecological challenges. A different way of thinking is required here.

    Systemic thinking differs primarily in four central points:

    1. emergence instead of silo thinking
    Systems develop together. An education system influences an economic system. A health crisis affects political stability. The separation into individual systems is often artificial.

    2. cycles instead of chains
    Impact is not linear. Those who are informed pass on knowledge. Individual impulses develop into feedback loops that can set entire systems in motion.

    3. relationships rather than individual pieces of information
    It is not individual facts but the relationships between them that are decisive: How does poverty affect mental health? What is the link between access to education and climate awareness?

    4. synthesis instead of analysis
    Systemic thinking asks: How is the system as a whole doing? What dynamics are emerging? Looking at the whole comes to the fore – not breaking it down into parts.

    What are the benefits of systemic thinking for changemakers?

    Systemic thinking is not a theoretical extra – but a valuable tool for anyone interested in sustainable change. This way of thinking can be an enormous relief, especially for changemakers who are faced with complex challenges.

    It helps you to sharpen your own focus and use resources in a more targeted way. It makes it possible to think outside the box without getting lost in the diversity. And it makes it clear that many challenges have common roots – and therefore also common solutions.

    I am not alone.
    I don’t have to solve everything.
    But I can make a real difference – where my actions have a leverage effect.

    This attitude not only creates more effectiveness – it also takes the pressure off. Because those who think systemically recognize their role in the larger context and can decide more consciously where commitment has the greatest impact.

    Conclusion: Systemic thinking as a key competence for changemakers

    Systemic thinking is a key skill for social transformation. It does not replace action – but it makes it more intelligent, more networked and more effective in the long term.

    In a world full of complexity and uncertainty, we need people who see the big picture – and act clearly and courageously within it.

    Would you like to improve your own systemic thinking skills?

    Strategies for deep change

    Reserve your place now for the free workshop at the beginning of May and learn about the tools of systemic thinking – and how they can help you to multiply your impact.

    register now
  • How can we achieve a world without poverty?

    How can we achieve a world without poverty?

    How can we achieve a world without poverty?

    Poverty is a major problem. But what does “poverty” actually mean? It’s not that easy to say. There are different types of poverty. For example, you can have little money (monetary poverty). Or you can feel poor because other people have more (relative poverty). There is also poverty that has nothing to do with money. Amartya Sen, a well-known thinker, has said that poverty also means not having the freedom to shape your own life.

    What can we do to combat poverty?

    A few years ago, I led a workshop on this question. Ten people worked intensively on the topic for three hours. We used a tool called the “world systems model”. It was developed by Tony Hodgson and helps us to understand big problems. The model shows that everything in the world is connected: Environment, economy, community and much more.

    Initial findings from the workshop

    In small groups, we talked about the challenges that increase poverty. It quickly became clear that poverty cannot be eradicated without genuine co-determination (for example in politics). One example is water. If people do not have access to clean water, it is difficult for them to escape poverty. And water, in turn, is linked to food, health and nature.

    What happens if there is a basic income?

    We also thought about what would happen if many countries introduced an unconditional basic income (UBI). That would help to solve some problems. But it’s not enough. Why? Because other problems remain: Access to clean water, fair distribution of resources and genuine co-determination of people.

    Holistic prosperity instead of just “no poverty”

    At the end of the workshop, we reformulated the goal: It’s not just about ending poverty. We want a world in which everyone is well off – with prosperity that is not just about money. Examples of prosperity are:

    • Time prosperity: Enough time for what is important.
    • Freedom of choice: The opportunity to shape your own life.
    • Living space: Safe living space and access to resources such as water and food.

    Solutions for a world without poverty

    The workshop showed that there is no simple solution. But there are approaches that can help:

    1. Managing water as a common good → When water is managed locally and collectively, many people benefit. Clean water leads to better health, more stable communities and greater prosperity.
    2. Shared housing projects → In such projects, people live together and share resources such as living space and food. This creates cohesion and helps to reduce costs.
    3. New money models → We need to rethink the financial system. One example is the Gradido game, in which people learn how a different monetary system could work.
    4. Debt cut and asset ceilings → A global debt cut could relieve countries. Asset ceilings would help to distribute resources more fairly.

    What can we do?

    If we want a world without poverty, we need to take action. Let’s start on a small scale: Let’s exchange ideas with others, learn from successful community projects and consider what is possible in our own environment.

    If you are also working on a better world with your organization, take a look at my Strategies for Changemakers offer. My“Possible Worlds” session is open to everyone and we can dive deeper into the question together: How can we shape change?

    A world without poverty is possible – if we change our perspective on the world and act together.