"The Office" meets "Leverage points"
A fun visual illustrations of the System Thinking "12 leverage points" using the famous TV show.
Last week, we went through the importance of System Thinking and how to start using it to solve our problems.
You can find that introduction here:
This week we dive deeper, by reviewing how we can use Leverage Points to produce change!
The 12 Leverage points were first introduced by Donella Meadow (March 13, 1941 – February 20, 2001) an American environmental scientist, educator, and writer.
Let see how the characters of "The Office TV Show" would manage to use them to save their new (obviously failing) business: an E-Paper company.
If you know someone who may smile at this, sharing is caring :).
We will go through the leverage points, from the weakest to the strongest:
12. Parameters
Ex: What would Dwight say? “Fire Jim!”
Fire, hire, product price, rate… This is a popular intervention point, but doesn’t produce much changes, as it isn’t aimed at the system rules or goals.
11. Buffers
Ex: Using Kevin’s desk for microchips storage.
Introducing buffers or reserves can help absorb shocks and maintain stability in a system, however it can also reduce flexibility. Changing the size of buffers can improve a system, but it is hard to do.
10. Flow
Ex: Michael’s idea? Moving to the Valley.
Balancing the Flow of resources (how they build up and get used) ensures they last longer. Focusing on Infrastructure and connections is a strong move but can cost a lot.
9. Delays
Ex: Reactivity according to Michael? Musical chairs!
Some delays are inevitable, but you can make the system adjust faster (which is difficult) or slow it down (which is easier) to avoid unexpected consequences or maintain stability.
8. Negative feedback loops
Ex: Dwight & Pam productive Alliance
Negative feedback loops (also called “balancing” feedback loops) stabilize systems. Strengthening or reducing them can help keep the system working safely.
7. Positive feedback loops
Ex: Preventing Jim’s efficient ideas.
Positive feedback loops are self-reinforcing behaviors in a system, left unchecked they can produce chaos. The leverage is usually in slowing them down.
6. Information flow
Ex: The Office sales’ Leader-board.
Improving the quality and speed of information exchange within a system can lead to better decision-making and coordination.
Giving access to information is an easy way to strongly influence a system.
5. Rules
Ex: Michael’s mandatory ping pong tournament.
We now touch directly at the system with its rules, but also who can make them.
Clear rules and guidelines help direct how people behave and what results they achieve in a system.
4. Self-organization
Ex: Michael’s E-paper Coop.
The ability for a system to transform itself, evolve and adapt.
Encouraging natural organization in a system can make it work better and be stronger.
3. Goals
Ex: Stanley’s subscription model idea.
With a new goal, everything below in the system changes (Rules, flow, parameter, etc.).
Aligning goals and objectives with the larger purpose of a system can drive its behavior towards the desired outcomes.
2. Paradigms
Ex: Phyllis’ mindset shift.
Entering a new paradigm(system of thought), also changes everything including goals.
Changing core beliefs and ways of thinking can completely transform how a system works and develops.
1. Beyond paradigms
Ex: Choosing the story.
The ultimate transformation power, being able to change paradigm at will.
Recognizing and transcending the limitations of the current paradigm can open up new possibilities for the system improvement.
Wow you made it through the all list, congratulations!
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