A simple way of looking at things is to look for the shortest route. Or the most obvious, predictable solution, the most attractive case. This avoids anything approaching complexity, the unknown, suffering and parallel analysis. Human beings are by nature lazy in their thinking. This leads us to make decisions that are not well calculated. But there’s a way for everyone to see the big picture and make better choices. It’s called systems thinking.

Systemic versus case-by-case approach

There are two diametrically opposed ways of looking at things. The most widely used and simplest is the case-by-case approach. In this approach, the individual looks at the situation from a single angle. He makes no extra effort to imagine other possibilities. He pursues his life on a case-by-case basis, without looking for a link between them.

The second approach is widely used in complex systems, such as building a rocket that requires several areas of expertise. In this case, we are obliged to consider things as a whole. Unlike the case-by-case approach, which is predictable, the systemic approach depends on the evolution of the systems that make up a situation. It is from this approach that the concept of systems thinking was born.

The problem with the case-by-case approach

This approach makes all situations independent. It considers that every problem has a solution. However, it ignores the fact that one problem can be linked to another, and that a solution can be found for the whole.

The case-by-case approach keeps us living in an endless loop of problems and solutions. This creates exhaustion, a sense of routine or regression.
We can miss out on a global solution by not looking at the big picture.
Considerable time is wasted repeating the same mistakes.
Attempts to give up for lack of ideas

Case-by-case thinking is very time-limited, unlike systems thinking. This approach is only concerned with getting out of the current impasse, rather than finding a long-term solution.

It’s important to realize that we use case-by-case thinking almost all the time. When we get up in the morning, we ask ourselves what the next step will be: praying, meditating, brushing our teeth, making breakfast, checking notifications. Once the decision has been made, the same question arises for the next action. And so it goes on, action after action throughout the day, until we fall asleep. The only time we don’t react to the chain is when we ask ourselves existential questions:

Who am I?
What do I want to be in 5 years?
What do I need to be happy?

The answers we give ourselves are measured, and it’s at these moments that we try to see the bigger picture.

The aim of systems thinking

The aim of systems thinking is to deconstruct the classical way of thinking, which is based on the A leads to B schema. It allows us to broaden our field of reflection.

Case-by-case thinking is at the root of our negative feelings and emotions: discouragement, fear, doubt, sadness and so on. Indeed, acting in a chain is extremely difficult for human beings. If the previous action was a failure for him, this feeling will follow him throughout the execution of subsequent actions. In contrast, the systemic approach does not necessarily separate these experiences. If the previous action was a failure, knowing that I consider it to be part of a system, I don’t worry:

Because it’s one of many predictions
It’s part of a system and, therefore, another system can compensate for this failure.
Considering it as part of a system, this failure is for me the result of experience.

Rightly so, with systems thinking, failure is just a given in a mega-system. Whereas in the case-by-case approach, failure is perceived as a definitive result, an opportunity for awareness, bad news, drama.

The systemic approach also makes it possible to avoid failure by analyzing the situation as a whole. In other words, it takes into account virtually all the parameters and events that can occur. At the same time, we project both favorable and devastating outcomes.

Rest assured, you don’t have to be an imminent scientist to apply the systemic approach. You can use it in any life project, be it entrepreneurship, studies, work or even your social life.

The advantages of case-by-case versus systems thinking

The case-by-case approach does, however, have certain advantages, most of which are short-term. Let’s take a simple example to explain these advantages.

Let’s imagine someone trying to pick up a girl. It’s a well-known fact that the person who goes about it without thinking too much and in a natural way will have better luck. On the other hand, those who rack their brains to imagine every possible scenario will have trouble getting started. The latter follows the systemic approach. He analyzes the situation from different angles:

What if I start by telling her she’s beautiful, how will she react?
What if she doesn’t like my approach?
What if I start by introducing myself
And if she says no, what should I do?
What if….

On the other hand, the advantage of a case-by-case approach is that you decide to go for it first and then gradually adapt to the situation.

The case-by-case approach is a survival method that can be useful for short-term objectives. It also means you don’t get bogged down in simple things, unlike systems thinking, which focuses on complex situations. However, the systemic approach can be used even for simple problems, whereas the case-by-case approach is not suited to complex problems.

Advantages of the systems approach over the case-by-case approach

The first advantage of the systems approach is that it is suitable for all situations, whether complex or not. For example, you can use it to park your car or to develop an ia tech startup. Unlike the case-by-case approach, the possibilities are endless. In other words, you can imagine different ways of getting a girl by looking at the big picture.

Systems thinking is well-suited to medium- and long-term situations such as studying, looking for a job, starting a business, getting married, planning a trip and so on. In fact, any situation that involves several variables over which you don’t necessarily have control.

For example, when you set up a business, you’re not 100% sure what’s going to happen in the weeks ahead. You may experience a delay in the delivery of parts, delays in the payment of invoices, or the resignation of an employee. In such cases, the systems approach helps you to anticipate these situations by looking further ahead. You can develop a comprehensive program to anticipate all undesirable situations, in the knowledge that events are closely interrelated.

How to develop systems thinking

Symmetrical reasoning consists in considering that all situations are linked to each other. For example, a glass that falls and breaks is linked to the fact that someone put it there after using it because they were under pressure because of their work and didn’t take the precaution of putting it away. We can go further into the origins of pressure at work or the possibility of using plastic glasses to avoid making the same mistakes.

The systemic approach invites us to see things as a whole, to avoid making mistakes. Here’s how you can sharpen your ability to think systematically.

DEVELOP YOUR CURIOSITY
Curiosity is what allows you to think a little further. If this or that happens to me, what are the different events that led to this situation?
Suppose you’re suddenly stressed. Ask yourself what brought you to this state, even considering distant events. Is it a person? If so, what exactly did they do to make you feel stressed? What did you think at the time? How would you describe what you’re feeling?

SYSTEMS THINKING: PRACTICE DISCOVERING SYSTEMS
In mathematics, a system of equations allows you to find a pair of solutions common to all the equations, knowing that the equations are linked by variables. It’s exactly the same process in real life. Each event is part of a set (system) and is linked to other events by variables.

Let’s take the example of a soccer match. The final score depends on several unpredictable parameters:

Each team’s performance in recent matches
standings, injuries, the return of certain players
The psychological state of each player (players, coaches, referees)
The state of the pitch, the behavior of the fans, the climate, etc.
A lot of parameters for a final result that is not absolutely predictable. However, knowing the system in which you operate gives you a definite advantage over those who are content to hope.

Find out what system you’re in, so you have at least some control. For example, if you’re starting out in a new company, you’re part of a new system. What are your colleagues like? What is expected of new employees? How is the building constructed? In fact, what don’t you know yet that could play a role in your development within the company?

SYSTEMS THINKING: AVOIDING HASTY CONCLUSIONS
As I said, there’s a lot at stake in every situation. By jumping to conclusions, you run the risk of not being entirely right. For example, when you feel guilty, it’s because it’s easier to say there’s only one way to look at what happened. However, if you think about it and analyze the situation as a whole, you’ll realize that you’re not the only one responsible for what happened.

Very often, hasty conclusions are wrong. Because they’re based on how you feel. The systemic approach invites you to be rational in all circumstances. If this or that happened, it’s because this or that happened, not necessarily because you were bad.

Don’t get carried away by your emotions, but by the real facts. Similarly, in the systemic approach, pretending to know everything is a mistake, because there’s a lot going on. So stay open to the possibility of discovering new elements that will bring you closer to a better conclusion.

SYSTEMS THINKING: TRY TO ANTICIPATE ALL POSSIBILITIES
Represent situations that are likely to occur. And draw up action plans to deal with all situations. Of course, some situations will elude you because, as I said, there are so many possibilities. However, by doing so, you ensure that damage is kept to a minimum. This is what companies do when drawing up their action plans for the months ahead. They anticipate the slightest event.

On an individual level, you can try creating a mind map to get an overview of a situation and how to deal with it.

Conclusion

This is a more global way of thinking. It enables you to prepare for the future, but also to understand the situations that arise in your life.

B is not necessarily produced by A. There are so many variables around you. If you broaden your vision, you’ll go beyond emotions. The systems approach makes situations difficult to understand, but when you adopt it, you put all the odds in your favor. It’s not a new concept, but very few people use it. So don’t be surprised if, when you apply it, you feel different from everyone else. You’ll feel like you’ve discovered a new facet of yourself, capable of facing the world more intelligently.