Systems Thinking: Sally Wilson’s Leveraging Tool for Social Change

On December 7th, 2015, Sally Wilson addressed a full classroom in the Sustainable Living building at Maharishi International University, where she will be teaching an Applied Systems Thinking class in February as an Adjunct Faculty member.

A farmer and rancher most of her life, Sally holds a PhD in Biology and currently heads the Entrepreneurial Agriculture program at Marshall Town Community College. Her training in Systems Thinking formally began at the Donella Meadows Institute. Sally has been teaching applied systems thinking for almost 15 years and has visited Fairfield, IA frequently over the years with her Applied Systems Thinking class.

During her December 7th presentation, she outlined the basic, yet often misunderstood, concepts behind Systems Thinking. MUM was fortunate enough to capture the presentation on video, and we have made that video available on Facebook and YouTube. Sally describes Systems Thinking as a tool for communication, policy change, and applying pressure to political areas to create social change.

When we consider how areas such as Physics and Chemistry prefer linear thinking and linear systems, while an area like Biology remains non-linear by nature, it becomes obvious that to communicate clearly we need a common language.  Systems in these areas generally seek to minimize variables, however, this is not always possible. By diagramming systems, as Sally explains in the video, we are able to define and sometimes eliminate variables. More importantly, we are able to discover the subtle connections and relationships between “elements” of a system.  She demonstrates this concept by using a group activity based around the system of a classroom environment.  She concludes the activity by giving examples of “leverage points” within the system.

Systems Thinking is often about shifting people’s paradigms.  As Systems Thinkers, if we are able to develop “feedback loops” built around common-ground terms and language, we can wield the power of words as a leveraging tool for change.00

For the full video, visit our Facebook Page Video Library, or our YouTube Channel.

Sally Wilson’s “Systems Thinking & Ecologic World Views” will begin February 8th, 2016 as part of the Sustainable Living BA Program, and is open for MUM Student enrollment.  

Chris Vasques is currently working on his BA in Sustainable Living with a focus on Community Building and Psychology. Chris has been a musician for the last 20 years and has developed professional skills in writing, marketing, and design.