Living systems thinking is the same as conventional systems in that we still use a systems lens, we still use systems mapping techniques, we still look for connections, causal relationships, feedback loops and leverage points.

What’s different is that we focus on the critical system components that Nature has used over evolution. Why? Because Nature’s systems function to not only work optimally, but to regenerative and self-renew after disruption.

Which means we can more clearly see the leverage points that are being used in current dysfunctional human systems. And we can more clearly see the leverage points required to disrupt this dysfunction and regain functionality. This means we’re better placed to use stronger leverage points that can disrupt our market, industry or even our organization, regeneratively.

Since I have integrated living systems thinking into my systems practice, I have found it gives way better contextual clarity on where to play strategically. And it also works incredibly well as a diagnostic tool for assessing disruptive risk and potential.

THE BENEFITS: As I have taken execs and entrepreneurs through the discovery process using living systems thinking over the last few years, I’ve found that there is less complexity overwhelm, that the discovery process is fast tracked, and that designs have greater structural integrity. Nicey nice.

It does change the lens a bit, in how we look at a market or social ecosystem. In practice, we look underneath patterns of change, to how the current patterns have been created and locked in place. But this means we’re better attuned to the transformational leverage points that can transform linear systems (that trap value), to circular systems that keep not just materials, but nutrients, energy, information and power in flow.

Which means we get to play a bigger strategically disruptive game. Life in rich.