How Wolves Change Rivers.

“Systems thinking” is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate, and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems.—Google definition

As leaders in organizations, the systems we are most concerned with are made up of the people, policies, procedures, and cultural norms of our organization and the relationships between those parts.  Being a great leader means having a deep understanding of these interrelationships and being wise about how to disturb the system to create changes that lead to a better whole.

When a system is disturbed, a rippling of change moves through the entire system.  Plant leaves follow the sun as it moves across the sky—minute disturbances take place causing the leaves to move. The leaves track the sun by moving a bit too far and then correcting.  Moving too far, and correcting again.

Even a system that looks simple may have complex relationships between its parts and the environment. Unintended consequences are the outcomes that we didn’t consider at the time a decision was made, and our decisions can lead to unintended consequences. Wise leadership puts in place ways to check that our original objectives are being met or are being consciously adjusted.

Natural systems can provide great learning opportunities about unattended consequences. The link below is to a video on Wolves being re-introduced into Yellowstone Park in 1995 after a 70-year absence.  Some changes were easy to preconceive; others not so much.  The video provides a great glimpse into a system being disturbed and its multi-faceted response to such a disturbance.  Note that the narrator refers to the great Yellowstone Elk as deer; this can be a little disconcerting, but don't let it bother you.  Instead, think about how to use systems thinking to make desired changes in your organization and how you might anticipate and mitigate unintended consequences.

Please enjoy: How Wolves Change Rivers