Can systems thinking elevate our capacity for self-awareness?

Exploring the role of systems thinking in self-awareness and personal growth

There is an established field of work on foresight and systems thinking. Applying these concepts is meant to bring about change in social, governance, and business structures. These concepts were not designed with an individual in mind but have been appropriately modified by scholars like Barry Oshry, who specializes in human systems thinking. Think of a systems perspective as a toolkit that helps people understand and navigate the insidious nature of habits and behavior patterns that are coping techniques, at best, thus hindering individual growth.

Can systems thinking elevate an individual’s ability to become more self-aware? I imagine there are innumerable ways the wisdom and practice of systems thinking can benefit individuals. Here, I talk about three fundamental aspects of how systems thinking can be a helpful capability for people. This is not a comprehensive list by any means. It is a first pass at what I think is possible to unlock by applying a systemic perspective to individual growth.

Awareness of our position and context

We are born into systems and are therefore entangled within their structures and…