How Systems Thinking can Improve Leadership

From Ego-System to Eco-System: The Leadership Shift That Lasts We often think of leadership as a way to achieve goals and drive performance. But what if leadership wasn’t just about results and milestones? What if it was about seeing the whole picture—every decision, every relationship, every ripple effect? Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the final Perfection in Buddhism: Wisdom (Prajñā). It’s not just about being smart or making quick decisions—it’s about seeing beyond self-centered goals and adopting a holistic perspective. The Shift: From Ego-System to Eco-System When leadership evolves from “What’s in it for me?” to “How do we all thrive together?”, something remarkable happens. Leaders who grasp interdependence understand that every choice impacts customers, teams, and society. System thinking reveals that a decision made in one area reverberates throughout the organization and beyond. Why System Thinking Matters in Leadership In a world that often glorifies individual success, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. But leaders who think in ecosystems, rather than silos, foster environments where collaboration, loyalty, and sustainable success thrive. ✔ Wisdom Isn’t Just Intelligence—It’s Perspective. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about connecting the dots and seeing how actions shape outcomes. ✔ Innovation Comes from Collaboration. When we move beyond ego and listen to diverse perspectives, we tap into collective intelligence—a resource far more powerful than isolated brilliance. ✔ Resilience Grows from Connection. Teams that feel valued and seen are more resilient to change. When people sense that their contributions matter, they stay engaged—even when challenges arise. How to Apply System Thinking in Leadership: 1. Pause Before Acting: Before making a big decision, step back and assess how it might affect the entire ecosystem—not just your immediate goal. 2. Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration: Create panels or discussions that gather insights from different departments. This encourages innovation and a holistic perspective. 3. Adopt a Communal Mindset: Remind your team that individual success is tied to collective well-being. When one thrives, we all thrive. Final Thought: Wisdom is not about being the loudest or the smartest. It’s about seeing beyond your own needs—moving from ego-driven leadership to eco-driven coherence. 📌 The real power of leadership is not just in making progress, but in creating an environment where everyone moves forward together. ↳ What’s one leadership mindset that has changed how you approach your role? Let’s discuss. #LeadershipWisdom #SystemThinking #CoherentLeadership #EcoSystemLeadership #LaraReflections

One question has transformed more careers than any framework I teach... Ready for it? "What would need to be true for this problem to solve itself?" I learned this from a mentor 25 years ago, and it's changed thousands of my clients' work. Here's why it's so powerful: Instead of asking "How do I fix this?" (which keeps you in problem-solving mode), this question shifts you into systems thinking. It forces you to think about root causes, not symptoms. It reveals assumptions you didn't know you were making. It often uncovers solutions hiding in plain sight. Real examples from last week: * CEO struggling with team alignment: "What would need to be true for this team to align themselves?" Answer: Clear decision-making authority and clear success metrics. * VP overwhelmed with decisions: "What would need to be true for your team to make these decisions themselves?" Answer: Better decision frameworks and empowered team members. * Startup founder burning out: "What would need to be true for this business to run without you working 80 hours?" Answer: Systems that scale and team leaders who own more outcomes. The magic happens when you really sit with the question. Don't rush to answer it. Let your brain work on it. Most breakthrough insights come after the obvious answers, when you dig deeper into what would REALLY need to be true. Try it right now: Think of your biggest leadership challenge. Ask: "What would need to be true for this problem to solve itself?" Sit with it. Let the answers emerge. Then share what you discovered in the comments. I'm genuinely curious what insights this question unlocks for you. Sometimes the most powerful tools are the simplest ones. If you get stuck or this question reveals something significant about your leadership challenge, let's explore it together. The breakthrough you need might just be one question away. #Leadership #ProblemSolving #SystemsThinking #Breakthrough #HighPerformanceLeadership

FROM FIREFIGHTING TO FORESIGHT: HOW TO BE A STRATEGIC THINKER It’s easy for leaders to fall into the trap of “firefighting mode”🔥 — moving rapidly from one urgent issue to the next, without spending time on the necessary strategic thinking that can actually help move your business forward. Each time we check something off a list or tackle a quick task, our brain 🧠 gets a hit of dopamine, the feel-good chemical associated with reward and accomplishment. That rush can be addictive.🍫 Over time, our brains become wired to seek the next quick win, which reinforces short-term thinking and a reactive approach. And that's not good. To break this cycle, leaders need to embrace systems thinking: stepping back to see how individual issues connect to larger patterns, feedback loops, and root causes. 🔎 Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that strategic thinking is one of the top skills leaders need to succeed, yet few make time for it because they’re trapped in constant execution mode. Making the shift starts with awareness. The next time you feel compelled to jump into action, pause and ask: “Am I solving the right problem—or just the one in front of me?” 🤔 To cultivate a more strategic mindset, schedule 30 minutes of “big-picture thinking” each week. 🗓️ Use that time to explore long-standing challenges or reflect on broader team dynamics. Tools like the Iceberg Model (see picture) help reveal what’s beneath recurring issues. In meetings, ask your team questions like, “What patterns are we seeing?” or “What assumptions are we making?” Over time, this shift rewires the brain by triggering dopamine when you feel a sense of accomplishment by solving deeper problems. ⏩️ Go Deeper: See link in comments to learn about the Iceberg Model by Mutomorro