Systems Thinking/SIS-temz THINK-ing/

Systems thinking is a cognitive approach that views situations, problems, and phenomena as interconnected systems rather than isolated parts. It involves understanding how components within a system relate to each other, influence each other, and create emergent properties that don't exist in individual parts alone. This holistic perspective recognizes that changing one part of a system can have ripple effects throughout the entire system.

Key aspects of systems thinking include:

• Holistic perspective: Seeing the whole rather than just individual components
• Relationship awareness: Understanding how parts connect and influence each other
• Pattern recognition: Identifying recurring themes and structures across different systems
• Feedback loop understanding: Recognizing how outputs become inputs in circular processes
• Emergent property recognition: Understanding how systems create properties that individual parts don't possess
• Dynamic thinking: Recognizing that systems change over time and respond to influences

Many neurodivergent individuals naturally excel at systems thinking. Their tendency toward detailed observation, pattern recognition, and deep interest in how things work often leads to sophisticated understanding of complex systems. This might manifest as understanding social dynamics, technological systems, organizational structures, ecological relationships, or any domain where interconnected parts create complex wholes.

This systems perspective often enables neurodivergent individuals to:

• Identify root causes rather than just symptoms
• Predict unintended consequences of changes
• Design solutions that address multiple interconnected issues
• Understand why simple fixes don't work for complex problems
• See connections that others miss between seemingly unrelated phenomena

Within neurodivergent communities, systems thinking is recognized as a common cognitive strength. Community members often describe experiencing the world as a complex web of interconnected relationships and patterns. Common experiences: "I see how everything connects, why don't they?," "It's exhausting watching people apply band-aids to root problems," "My special interest is understanding how THIS system works completely."

The neurodivergent community describes systems thinking as both gift and challenge. While it enables deep understanding and innovative solutions, it can be overwhelming to constantly perceive all the interconnected complexity where others see simple cause-and-effect. Many report their systems abilities are underutilized in settings that favor linear, compartmentalized approaches. When valued and harnessed, they contribute unique insights and solutions.

Research increasingly recognizes systems thinking as valuable cognitive skill. Studies show systems thinking associates with better problem-solving in complex domains, better prediction of unintended consequences, and improved organizational resilience. In neurodiversity research, studies suggest many neurodivergent individuals show enhanced ability to perceive system-level patterns and relationships. Autistic individuals often demonstrate superior understanding of how changes affect entire systems. People with ADHD may excel at seeing dynamic relationships and feedback loops. Neuroimaging indicates systems thinking involves enhanced connectivity between brain regions—a pattern often seen in neurodivergent brains.

Many neurodivergent individuals identify strongly with systems thinking as core aspect of how they understand the world. This identity includes both appreciation for comprehensive understanding and frustration when others focus on isolated parts without considering system-wide implications.

Everyday Life Examples

The workplace band-aid: Company implements "pizza Fridays" to fix low morale. Everyone else celebrates the solution. Systems thinker sees: morale is low because of overwork, poor management, and unclear expectations. Pizza doesn't address any root cause. Six months later, morale is still low and leadership wonders why pizza didn't fix it. Systems thinker knew it wouldn't work from day one, saw the whole interconnected web of factors.

The tech debugging superpower: While everyone else checks if the cable is plugged in, systems thinker mentally maps: power supply → motherboard → RAM → CPU → storage → OS → drivers → application → network → external API. Identifies that the issue is actually a timeout in the external API affecting the application three layers up. Others call it "lucky guess." It's systems thinking.

The social dynamics chess game: At family gathering, cousin makes seemingly innocent comment. Everyone else moves on. Systems thinker sees: that comment triggered aunt's defensive response based on decades-old sibling rivalry, which will affect uncle's behavior at Thanksgiving based on loyalty patterns, which will cascade into the annual holiday conflict. Can predict the next six social interactions like dominoes falling. Can also identify the leverage point to prevent the cascade, but explaining why would take an hour.

Practical Strategies

Free/Low-Cost Options:

• Use free diagramming tools (draw.io, paper and pencil) to map systems (free)
• Practice "systems journalism"—write out how parts connect for yourself (free)
• Join online communities focused on systems thinking/complexity (free)
• Read about systems failures (tech disasters, organizational collapses) to learn patterns (library/free)
• Practice translating systems insights into simple metaphors for communication (free)
• Identify one leverage point in a system rather than trying to explain entire web (free)

If Possible:

• Systems mapping software (Kumu, Vensim)
• Systems thinking courses or certifications
• Career coaching focused on leveraging systems strengths
• Join professional communities (System Dynamics Society, etc.)
• Consulting or research roles that value comprehensive analysis

Why This Works: Systems thinking is cognitive strength often misunderstood as "overcomplicating." Making systems visible (diagrams, maps) helps others see what you naturally perceive. Identifying root causes and leverage points prevents wasted effort on symptoms. Predicting unintended consequences saves resources and prevents failures. Learning to communicate at different complexity levels makes your insights accessible without dumbing them down. Most importantly: systems thinking is increasingly valuable as world becomes more interconnected and complex. Organizations and fields that harness this strength see better outcomes.

Quick Tips

• Today: Next time someone proposes a solution, mentally map three unintended consequences it might create
• This Week: Draw one system diagram for something you're trying to understand (work process, social dynamic, technical system)
• This Month: Practice explaining one systems insight using a simple metaphor instead of full complexity

Do / Don't

Do's

• Trust your systems insights even when others want simpler explanations
• Use visual tools to help others understand complex relationships you see
• Seek roles that value comprehensive analysis and root cause identification
• Practice communicating at different complexity levels for different audiences
• Document patterns and connections you observe

Don'ts

• Assume everyone processes complexity the same way you do
• Let others dismiss your comprehensive understanding as "overthinking"
• Expect others to immediately see all the connections you see
• Get paralyzed by seeing too much complexity—identify one leverage point to start
• Apologize for your systems perspective—it's a strength

For Families and Caregivers

Your systems-thinking loved one isn't overthinking or making things complicated:

• They're seeing complexity that actually exists—complexity others miss until it causes problems
• Their "I told you that wouldn't work" isn't smugness—they saw the system dynamics others missed
• When they explain why something is complicated, they're trying to help avoid future problems
• Their prediction of unintended consequences often saves time, money, and effort

Support by:

• Asking "what else might this affect?" to value their comprehensive perspective
• Not dismissing their insights as "too complicated" or "overthinking"
• Recognizing when their systems analysis prevented problems
• Giving them time to map systems before expecting quick answers
• Appreciating that they see interconnections others miss

For Schools and Workplaces

Educators: Systems-thinking students:

• May struggle with compartmentalized subjects—help them see connections
• Excel at interdisciplinary projects and root cause analysis
• Can predict consequences others miss—value this foresight
• May take longer to answer because they're considering multiple factors
• Thrive when asked "how does this connect to...?"

Employers: Systems thinkers provide immense value:

• Include them in strategic planning and problem-solving
• Give them time for thorough analysis before implementation
• Value insights about unintended consequences
• Recognize their analysis prevents costly mistakes
• Leverage their ability to see patterns across departments/systems

Intersectionality & Variation

• Autism + systems thinking: Often exceptionally deep system analysis, may need help communicating insights to linear thinkers
• ADHD + systems thinking: Excel at seeing dynamic relationships and patterns, may struggle focusing on one part when seeing whole
• Cultural factors: Different cultures value holistic vs linear thinking differently—systems thinking may be more recognized in some contexts
• Age: Younger systems thinkers may lack vocabulary to explain what they see, older have refined communication strategies
• Field variation: Tech, science, consulting value systems thinking; other fields may not recognize it as strength

Related Terms

• Pattern recognition - Core component of systems thinking
• Special interest - Often focuses on understanding complete systems
• Monotropism - Deep focus that enables thorough system mapping
• Divergent thinking - Generates multiple pathways and connections in systems
• Hyperfocus - Enables sustained analysis of complex systems