what are systemic principles?

Imagine you're watching a game of soccer. Everyone has a different position on the field. Some are defenders, some are midfielders, and some are forwards. Each person's actions affect the whole team. If the defenders don't do their job, the other team might score. If the forwards don't work together, they won't be able to score a goal. If the club doesn’t provide enough resources for refreshments during the game, the team dehydrates. If the trainer has an off day, the team won't perform at their best. If it’s hot outside, everyone might suffer. And so on.

Systemic principles are similar. They're about individuals, organizations, families, or any group. These principles help us understand how everyone is connected and how each person's actions affects the whole group. It's like a puzzle where every piece is important and fits together in a unique way. If one piece is missing, the whole picture is impacted.

Systemic coaches try to figure out what's happening by looking at the whole picture, not just one piece. They understand that everyone is connected and that what happens to one person can have its roots in many different places.

> understanding the big picture matters

Sometimes you do things that mess things up at work (or in life), like starting too late on a project, pleasing, or neglecting your needs to avoid conflicts with colleagues. This is called self-sabotage. Systemic principles can help you understand why you do these things. Maybe it's because of something that happened in your childhood, or maybe you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed by your workload.

By understanding how everything is connected, you can change the things that make you mess up. It's like fixing that puzzle piece that doesn't fit right. This can help you feel better and make better choices.

• Notice patterns in your self-sabotage. For example, you always take on too much responsibility because you’re afraid of making mistakes. That fear might have started when you were little because you were always reprimanded for it.

• See hidden connections between different parts of your life. Maybe you have trouble in relationships because of some old arguments in the past that were never resolved.

• Dig deeper and get to the root of the problem, not just the tip of the iceberg. This helps you make real, lasting changes.

• Change your viewpoint by seeing yourself as part of a bigger picture where everyone shares a part of the responsibility.

> important notes

Systemic thinking isn't about blaming anyone. It's about understanding how everything is connected and finding ways to optimize things. So, next time you face a challenge at work, think like a systemic coach and look at the bigger picture. You might be surprised at what you discover!

If you're having trouble avoiding blame, ask a therapist, coach, or someone who knows about systemic thinking for help.