Tip #88 Should Boards Think Systemically?

January 1, 2023  |  tips for effective boards

What does it mean to think systemically? I’m not talking here about thinking systematically, that is, in a logical orderly fashion. Of course, that’s important. Rather, I’m talking about thinking in terms of systems, constellations of interrelated elements, systems of interrelated parts influencing components of these systems.

 

We might think of systemic thinking (or systems thinking) as a mindset contrasting with individualistic thinking. An individualistic mindset tends to see outcomes shaped by personal choices while a systemic mindset tends to see outcomes shaped by social structures and systems. Hence, an individualistic mindset tends to lead to an emphasis on personal individual responsibility while a systemic mindset tends to lead to an emphasis on group collective responsibility. I would like to suggest that these two mindsets can be viewed as complementary rather than as antagonistic alternatives. Individuals and groups, including boards, can tend to view issues through an individualistic mindset, or through a systemic mindset, or, ideally, I would suggest, through both mindsets. Viewing issues through different mindsets can lead to very creative thinking and to identifying very different possible approaches to addressing such issues.

 

To make this more real, how do we tend to think about specific issues like poverty, discrimination, and health problems? Do we tend to view these issues primarily through an individualistic lens or through a systemic lens? The lens or mindset influences whether we see such issues as caused primarily by personal choices or by social systems or environments, as issues to be remedied by the individuals affected by them or as issues to be remedied by groups of people through collective action. Looking through the different lenses leads to identifying different approaches to ameliorating such problems.

 

For example, if we think about healthy eating through an individualistic perspective, we recognize the importance of education about healthy dietary choices. If we think about healthy eating through a systemic perspective, we may think about the importance of addressing the issue of “food deserts” so that people in all communities have access to affordable high quality fresh produce, including those who rely on public transportation. If we think about exercise through an individualistic perspective, we again think about the importance of education so everyone’s aware of how valuable exercise is. If we think about exercise through a systemic perspective, we may think about the importance of plenty of greenspace for outdoor exercising in our communities. Again, not either-or perspectives but complementary perspectives.

 

So, think about whether you as an individual or your board as a group tends to gravitate towards one mindset or the other. Think about whether you as an individual or your board as a group is viewing a particular issue or concern through one mindset or the other. Strive to develop a comfort with switching mindsets to open up a wider range of potential opportunities for addressing problems.

 

If you are interested, you may wish to check out the Frameworks Institute. A Frameworks Institute perspective is that Americans often may tend to view the problems that people experience primarily through an individualistic mindset but that engaging a systemic mindset can lead to identifying powerful approaches to a broad amelioration of numerous problems. If you wish, just check out www.FrameworksInstitute.org

 

To learn more about the Policy Governance® model, please click https://www.BoardsOnCourse.com/policy-governance.