Systems Thinking | 6 mental models to add to your thinking toolbox

Systems thinking is about understanding the relationship of parts, not just the sum of the parts. The mental models from systems thinking give us a more holistic and dynamic way of understanding the world.

In this video, I go over the basics of what systems thinking is, and 6 fundamental mental models of systems thinking that you can apply to your problem solving and decision making on the daily.

⚡️More Framework & Mental Models⚡️

⏱ TIME STAMPS ⏱
0:00 Systems Thinking
00:48 1/ Non-Linear Organization
04:32 2/ Stock & Flow
05:39 3/ Iceberg Model
08:58 4/ Bottleneck
11:00 5/ Second Order Thinking
12:29 6/ Feedback loop

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[MsRobstar]

I love the way you have contextualized, super big ideas into a tangible framework of interdependence. Such a simple way to dissect perceived problems, obstacles or even fears. Thank so much for sharing your insights and wisdom🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❕❕❕
Ps.like’d and subscribed!

[damonbailey]

My 15 y/o daughter and I just used this video to analyze why our family couldn’t seem to potty train our new puppy successfully. The problem was causing resentment between siblings and frustration all around. We went through ea h section and applied every model to the problem and learned how to think in systems together. We both experienced a sense of empowerment and relief. I didn’t actually think I would see anything new and was completely wrong. It was a fantastic bonding opportunity as well. Thank you Vicky! Consider us fans for life!

[ShavkatNosirov]

1. Non-Linear Organization
2. Stock & Flow
3. Iceberg Model
4. Bottleneck
5. Second Order Thinking
6. Feedback Loop

[labsanta]

my notes:

- Two Ways of Looking at the World
The transcript discusses the two ways of looking at the world, which are in parts or as a whole. Most people are trained to think in parts, breaking something complex down into its individual components to understand what is happening in the more complex worlds. However, the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and usually, it's in the connection between the different subjects, the different parts, and the relationships between those that really signifies how something actually works. Systems thinking is introduced to understand problems as a whole as well as identify the cause and not just treat the symptoms.
- Thinking in Parts vs. as a Whole
Most people have been trained to think in parts, reducing complex things down into their individual components to understand the complex world. However, the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and it's the connection between the different parts and relationships between them that truly signify how something works. Systems thinking is introduced to understand problems as a whole as well as identify the cause and not just treat the symptoms.
- Our Training in Thinking in Parts
Our schools are set up to teach us to think in parts. We have subjects like English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and we study each one of them to understand what the world is like.
- Breaking Down Complex Things
One of the ways of looking at the world is to take something complex and break it down into its individual components.
- Studying Individual Components
Studying each individual component in order to understand what is happening in the more complex worlds is one of the ways of looking at the world. Our schools are set up this way.
- Understanding the Complex World
One of the ways of looking at the world is to study each individual component in order to understand what is happening in the more complex worlds.
- The Whole is More Than the Sum of Its Parts
As Aristotle says, the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and it's usually the connection between the different subjects and parts and the relationships between them that truly signify how something actually works.

- Introduction to Systems Thinking
Systems thinking is introduced to understand problems as a whole as well as identify the cause and not just treat the symptoms. Six mental models are used to understand problem as a whole.

- Organic Anti-Fragility and Stock and Flow
An introduction to two mental models that can help you understand complex systems better: Organic Anti-Fragility and Stock and Flow. These models can help simplify the world around you and break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts.
- Organic Anti-Fragility
Organic Anti-Fragility is a system that is resistant to shock and disorder, and can even thrive in chaos. By understanding the interconnectedness of different elements of a system, we can allow the solution to happen on its own. To better understand the interconnectedness, one can draw non-linear connections between different elements of the system instead of linearly thinking about things one by one.
- Stock and Flow
Stock and Flow is a mental model that breaks down systems into two parts: Stock and Flow. Stock refers to the things in the system that can be added or subtracted, such as animals, plants, soil, and water. Flow refers to the actions that change the number of stock, such as buying, selling, or harvesting. By understanding the stock and flow of a system, you can simplify complex problems and better understand how the different elements of a system are connected.
- Examples of Stock and Flow
An example of stock and flow is a farm. The stock refers to the animals, humans, plants, soil, water, and money that make up the farm. The flow refers to the actions that change the number of stock, such as selling a product. Selling lemons, for example, would decrease the amount of lemons and increase the amount of money made by the farm. By understanding the stock and flow of a system, you can better understand how different elements are connected.
- Simplification with Stock and Flow
Using the stock and flow mental model can help you simplify complex systems by breaking them down into two parts: stock and flow. This makes it easier to understand how different elements of a system are connected and how they change over time. By focusing on the stock and flow, you can better understand the cause-and-effect relationships within a system.
- Conclusion
By using the mental models of Organic Anti-Fragility and Stock and Flow, you can better understand complex systems and break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. By focusing on the interconnectedness of different elements of a system and understanding the stock and flow of a system, you can simplify complex problems and better understand how the different parts of a system are connected. These mental models can help you make better decisions and solve problems more effectively.

- Living in harmony with nature
Humans should learn to live in harmony with nature instead of trying to control the environment. This is the key to solving all the problems associated with the environment. The farm in the discussion was having issues with the snail population. Instead of controlling the snails, they looked for how nature dealt with snails, and they found out that ducks like to eat snails. They hired ducks to eat the snails, and the ducks fertilized the soil at the same time.
- The solution to environmental problems
The solution to all the problems associated with the environment is to live in harmony with nature instead of trying to control it.
- Learning from nature
Instead of controlling the snail population, the farm looked for how nature dealt with snails. They discovered that ducks like to eat snails, and by hiring ducks to eat the snails, they were able to solve the snail problem and fertilize the soil at the same time.

- Using the bottleneck to solve problems
To solve problems, we need to find the bottleneck in the system. The bottleneck is the place where things get stuck, and there is delay. We need to be looking for the bottlenecks of a system, and once we find them, we can work on fixing them.
- Analyzing the cause of problems
To solve problems, we need to analyze the cause of the problem and not just fix the symptoms. This involves analyzing the four levels of reality and understanding the cause of the problem.
- Starting to solve problems
To start solving problems, we need to find the event that helps us analyze the next three levels. We need to find the bottleneck and work on fixing it.
- Strengthening the system
The system is only as strong as its weakest part. To strengthen the system, we need to find the bottleneck and work on fixing it.
- Finding bottlenecks
To find bottlenecks, we need to look for the place where things get stuck and there is delay. We need to analyze the system and find the bottleneck to work on fixing it.
- Applying bottleneck analysis to the farm
To apply bottleneck analysis to the farm, we need to look for the bottleneck that is delaying the farm from turning a profit. Once we find the bottleneck, we can work on fixing it.
- Delay is the bottleneck on the farm
On the farm, the bottleneck is delay. Delay is what is preventing the farm from turning a profit. The farm needs to find a way to reduce delay to turn a profit.

- Using Cover Crops in Agriculture
1. Cover crops are used to revive soil.
2. Planting cover crops can lead to a change in the environment, attracting bugs and critters.
3. Snails tend to like cover crops, which can affect citrus trees.
4. Planting cover crops requires second-order thinking, as it entails being prepared for potential pests.
5. Farmers should conduct thorough research on likely outcomes before planting cover crops.
6. They should also consider which outcome is most likely to occur before taking action.
- Benefits of Cover Crops
1. Cover crops revive soil by restoring nutrients and water.\n2. They can help prevent soil erosion.\n3. Cover crops also improve biodiversity in the soil.
- The Importance of Second-Order Thinking
1. Second-order thinking is necessary when planting cover crops to prepare for potential pests.\n2. Without second-order thinking, people often make shallow decisions.\n3. Second-order thinking helps determine what research is necessary before taking action.

- Questions to Consider When Making Decisions
1. What are the likely outcomes of a decision?
2. If you cannot answer this question, it may indicate that your knowledge is too shallow.
3. What is the most likely outcome of all possible outcomes?
4. Considering this can help inform decision making.
- Clarifying Your Thinking
Tips on identifying the best measurements to move towards your goals.
- Setting Up Feedback Loop
Steps to set up a feedback loop for measuring progress towards your goals.
- Defining Your Goal
Defining your goal is essential to set the scene for everything else to come.
- Articulating Assumptions
Identifying assumptions about how you can reach your goals is crucial for setting up the appropriate measurements.
- Choosing Appropriate Measurements
Selecting measurements that work for your assumptions and goals is critical to assessing progress.
- Making Better Decisions
Clarifying your thinking is essential to making better decisions.
- Using Mental Models
Mental models can help shape your thinking and improve decision-making.
- Tracking Decisions
Tracking your decisions can help you make better decisions.
- Choosing the Right Metrics
Selecting appropriate metrics for your assumptions and goals is crucial for measuring progress.
- Shaping Your Thinking
Mental models can help shape your thinking and improve decision-making.

[TheSherlock]

This should be taught in schools!! Such an important life skill to have❤ Thank you for this!

[MattWongIR]

I love how analytical you are! You really walk us through the thought process and I think this is helping me reframe how I think about problems 😀👍

[longdang]

Love the way you split the video into short chapters, so it is easy to process the content in different discrete time periods

[darchaiye]

doing my master dissertation on this now..you explain n simplify this so nicely, love yr examples...you my new fav person gurl!!!

[creativecat]

More of these please! It's hard to think in systems but I'm all for practicing so we don't have to oversimplifythe world for the sake of simplifying. Looking forward to the video on decision journal using mental models 👌 😀

[tatsianaptashnik]

It is a brilliant video for many reasons, the choice of the example was impeccable, in my view. Really helped to grasp the ideas. Thank you!

[systemsthinkingalliance]

Thank you, Vicky. Mental models are the foundation upon which our beliefs and understanding of the world are built.

[VickyZhaoBEEAMP]

Which one of the 6 Systems Thinking Mental Models will you add to your mental toolbox?

[PantingCat]

This is such a great overview of systems thinking! Everyone working in government or on things that other people have to use/interact with should be thinking in this way.

[sandro-nigris]

Vicky you are fantastic! Great video with valuable information. I learnt a lot today! 🙂

[kevinmorris]

Love all of your videos and this one especially. This subject threw me back years to my reading of "The 5th Discipline" by Peter Senge, while I was working with a coach who became a beloved friend. One of my favorites. Many parallels, while at the same time expanding the subject and creating connections to other similar/related trains of thought. Thanks for this!

[MikeReidWrites]

Non-linear thinking would be a perfect approach to a project of mine! As always, thanks for for creating such helpful videos!

[saifullahshoeb]

U have become such a sharp thinker, whats is even more amazing is that u articulate so coherently . So grateful to u . All the best

[laughbaby]

Wow I'm just obsessed with your videos on framework thinking and mental models! This information has an added value to my life in so many ways (and I have only seen 2 of your videos so far). I think this can cause an improvement in the way I think, organize information/ thoughts, but also communicate with others. Besides the personal improvement, my goal is to connect some mental models with social work/ social problems and solutions in the work field.


Which brings me to my next questions: Do you have a course on thinking in frameworks? Do you coach people on using mental models in their daily life? Which books/workbooks do you recommend when it comes to learning more about this? Especially how to implement it into my daily life/ work life.

[afs]

Great work!! Thank you. Very clear and excellent explanation. But please in future work with a clip on decent quality mic, recording into a decent audio recorder. U then import that audio into the video file. Makes huge diff to the overall quality. Seems crazy but it's true. Nowadays there are easier solutions with a mic connected to the computer directly but old skool still tops

[vfrrfv]

Thank you for this concise and comprehensive introduction to systems thinking🎉