TOOL #8: A WEB OF RELATIONSHIPS
Systems Question:
"What is the relationship of X to Y in all aspects of our lives?"
The basic definition of a system is two or more related components that work together in support of the whole. If there is no relationship, it is not a system..
Since individuals, families, departments, organizations, and communities are living systems, all of their parts are related (to a greater or lesser extent). You must always look at the relationship of the parts to both:
1. The overall system outcomes
2. All other parts within the living system
In systems, the whole is primary and the parts are secondary. And the parts are only important within their relationship to other parts and events that support the desired outcomes.
The keys are balance and optimization, not dominance and maximization of a single part, department, or person.
In systems, relationships and processes are what's important, not departments or events.
Principle:
—Change your thinking: From events and parts to relationships and processes.
—The whole is more than the sum of the parts. The web of relationships is key.
The most important assessment for any living system (such as families or organizations) is to examine the parts. However, be sure they are linked in an integrated fashion, in support of the desired outcomes.
Analysis of each parts’ effectiveness cannot be analyzed in a void, but only in relationship to the other parts and related to the objectives of the whole system.
—Always remember, a system cannot be subdivided into independent parts.
A change in one part affects both the outcomes and the other webs of interdependent parts or processes. This is true whether talking about families, teams, departments, neighborhoods, organizations, or society as a whole.
Examples:
In organizations, it's not “how can I maximize my job or department's impact?” It's “how can we all work and fit together in support of the overall objectives of the organization?”
To that end, each year all major departments need to share (and have critiqued) their annual plans, with a critical mass of managers or professionals to ensure everyone knows what everyone else is doing. This process is actually a large team-building experience.
• Personally, Systems Thinking is finding patterns and relationships in your work and your life—and learning to reinforce or change these patterns to achieve personal fulfillment. This can actually help to simplify life as you see its interconnections.
• What is the relationship between your level of fitness and your energy, overall feelings of health, and stamina to do your job and run your life each day?
USES:
• The Interdependence Paradigm: "We are all interdependent with each other.” We all know that we are a part of a vast, interrelated universe—ever since the astronaut pictures of earth came back from space.
• Why don't you focus on the interrelatedness of key people in our lives and our relationships with them? On a continuing and regular basis, look at the desired outcomes, visions, and purposes you have that affect others: it is key to share and agree on these visions together; and gaining feedback on this vision and your part in it.
• Pay close attention to the impact you have on others and they on you. Rarely do you really know the full impact of your actions on others.
• Keep asking this Systems Question: What is the relationship of X to Y in all aspects of life? Create “synergy” in your life. Synergy is the working together of two or more parts of any system to produce an effect greater than the sum of the individual effects. It is increasing your own outcomes by working together with others using a more effective, win-win strategy.
The Either/Or Corollary
Either/or questions (X vs Y) usually should be answered by “yes, both” since there are usually multiple causes and multiple effects or outcomes related to most issues.
—Watch out for this trap!
—Forget the artificial and analytic “tyranny of the either/or” question with one-right-answer, and evolve to the Systems Thinking “genius.”
Genius of the “and”—the ability to embrace two or more different opinions, extremes, or seemingly contradictory statements at any one time. That is why one can see social problems as a puzzle.
TOOL #8 SUMMARY:
1. Don't get caught up in either/or debates and traps!
2. State areas of agreement first, rather than debating. Then state your area of disagreement, if there is one.
3. When someone asks you an “either/or” question, answer with “yes, both” to surface this artificial disagreement.
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