This is a new and fresh publication from the Waters Foundation that pulls back the curtain on the wizards of systems thinking, so to speak, to eliminate the mystery of this important, but often obtuse, body of knowledge. The Waters Foundation is a non-profit organization whose vision and mission are to promote systems thinking in classroom instruction and school improvement [1]. This resource helps achieve this [2].

The Waters Foundation describes systems thinking as “utilizing habits, tools, and concepts to develop an understanding of the interdependent structures of dynamic systems.” They assert that individuals are “better able to leverage points that lead to desired outcomes” when they have a better understanding of systems [3]. Their website also provides three other definitions. A cute and clever animated definition, developed by Gene Bellinger, Director of Systems Thinking World, can be found on YouTube [4].

The habit-forming guide to becoming a systems thinker (HoST) is a well-crafted and designed handbook chock-full of 14 essential systems thinking concepts and experiential exercises for individuals and teams to turn these concepts into habits.

HoST begins with a “Getting Started” guide, followed by a chapter on each of the 14 habits. Habit #7 is one of my favorites: a systems thinker recognizes that a system’s structure generates its behavior. Each of these chapters includes exercises for reflection and opportunities to practice that specific habit within the context of five example life systems that involve people. The five life systems are: well being, family, workplace, school, and community. This is very practical information. The handbook concludes with exercises for next steps and includes a card deck for practicing the 14 habits as a self-assessment exercise. In other words, you learn systems thinking by doing thinking in systems. Bravo!

Readers interested in gaining a broader and deeper perspective of systems and systems thinking from the wizards are referred to Systems Thinking World, a wiki curated by Bellinger [5].

Academic and professional articles on systems research and systems practice can be found at the websites of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) [6] and the UK Systems Society (UKSS) [7].

Disclaimer: I have been using the systems thinking resources published by the Waters Foundation in my consulting and teaching for a number of years. I’m a big fan.

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