Limits to Growth Systems Archetype

We explain the Limits to Growth System Archetype, the third in our Systems Archetypes series, which explores these key parts of Systems Thinking.
We explore the Limits to Growth system dynamics and talk about some important real-world examples. We then look at the leverage points in the system, and discuss in detail how to avoid or get out of this Systems Trap.

Systems thinking is an essential skill for anyone in a modern organisation, or indeed anyone living in the modern, globally interconnected world. It seeks to avoid event level, linear analysis and its accompanying pitfalls, such as division, blame culture and unintended consequences. Instead, thinking in systems helps us to understand all of the interconnected elements in a system contributing to a particular outcome or set of outcomes, and the way in which they affect each other - often in non-linear ways. This leads to better and deeper understanding of people, organisations and the world around us, and helps us to move toward solutions to problems much more quickly, avoiding destructive blame and division in the process.

At the heart of Systemic Creative is our revolutionary, paradigm-shifting, Organisational Development Programme. It provides innovative, powerful tools and methods to inspire teams, build leadership and help businesses and organisations grow their productivity, effectiveness, resilience and creativity through the development of organisational consciousness.

Find out more about the Systemic Creative Organisational Development Programme at:

Find out how our programme and consultancy has impacted people and businesses here:

Some more Systems Archetypes videos:

Finally, find out about Donella Meadows and her work here:
We're not affiliated with the Donella Meadows Project, we just think she was brilliant!

Timestamps:
00:00 Series introduction
03:10 Limits to Growth system explanation
06:52 Potential catastrophic consequences
07:12 Example of the archetype - global
07:27 Example of the archetype - business
08:57 Example of the archetype - personal
09:48 Leverage points
10:28 How to avoid the trap with examples
13:52 General information

#systemarchetypes #systemsthinking #limitstogrowth

[kristinejames]

Teamwork for me is imperative, regardless luv, whether it takes me out of my comfort zone, or not! Sometimes I think that we occasionally need to dip our toe in the water once or twice in order to progress in life! 😊

[erykfreethinker]

An excellent video. In the 1970's most businesses discussed a concept with a new buzz acronym;- Jit, or Just In Time. At that time there was no thought of this way to improve every aspect of production from production turnover to fiscal turnover and thence more profit ever being a limiting factor. Current world events at this time in 2022 are affecting JIT manufacturing to an often crippling effect but way back when the Kobe earthquake struck it destroyed the factory that made the entire world resource of memory chips. The effect was enormous, on a smaller scale, just at the present time one country - Australia - is suffering the effects of a huge fire that destroyed the one factory making melamine faced timber. Craftsmen have gone out of business and shipping costs from the rest of the world are making affordability difficult.
'Eggs in one basket- is more of a limiting factor when a monopoly situation such as these instances is created. In an intensely connected world there needs to be cooperation at top levels rather than competition and forward planning of a more flexible kind. Part of the difficulty here can be what is happening in the stock market as well as political and natural catastrophe.