In today's highly interconnected world, strong communication is essential. An effective method to enhance communication strategies is The Systems Thinking Approach® an approach that focuses on the bigger picture and how individual components interact within a larger system. By embracing systems thinking, communicators can tackle complexity with greater clarity, enhance teamwork, and stimulate innovation.
At its essence, The Systems Thinking Approach aims for the ultimate outcomes by analyzing interrelationships, patterns, and feedback, rather than concentrating on individual components in isolation.
For communication, this means considering not only the message but also the broader context: the stakeholders, cultural dynamics, technologies, and unintended consequences.
Let's unleash the power of The Systems Thinking Approach®by applying this powerful technique:
Phase E:What could impact your communication that isn't impacting us now?
Look around. Are your staff worried about an upcoming election or possible reorganization? These possible experiences will influence whether your people will ignore the message or burnt out because of another change on top of their current experiences.
Phase A: What do you want to communicate and to whom?
I often get leaders to think about the change in behavior they want people to adopt. Don't communicate to simply "inform". Give people clear direction on what new software they are going to learn, when they will be reporting to a new manager or how they should make changes to existing policy.
Phase B:How will you know people understood what you said?
What indicators or feedback show that your people understood the communication and are taking the appropriate actions? How will you know that staff are embracing the new technology or following the new Standard Operating Procedures?
Just because you sent an email, don't assume it was read, comprehended and followed.
Phase C: What do you need to do to effectively communicate?
How are you going to make the communication - in person, via text, through middle management, on your website? There are advantages and disadvantages of each communication medium. Choose the one that is most appropriate for the message. If you are laying off staff, do not communicate via text! A personal approach is needed for life-impacting changes.
Who needs to be part of the communication process? What support do you need? What are the upsides and downsides of ignoring the message? How do we expect people to react? What inaccuracies are people believing? Do we have "speaking notes" and answer to common questions?
Phase D: Communicate and check for understanding.
After you deliver the communication, ask questions about understanding and adoption. Are there pieces that were not really "heard"? Are there people who misunderstood what you said? Are there false rumours? How are people reacting?
Ensure that people understood the whole message, reinforce what you wanted to say, make corrections and ensure you are available to answer questions.
The Systems Thinking Approach® is a loop, remember to go back through the process to ensure understanding.
Systems thinking offers numerous benefits for communication, especially in complex and interconnected environments. Here are some key advantages:
Holistic Understanding: By examining the bigger picture, systems thinking helps communicators see how different elements and stakeholders interact. This reduces the chances of overlooking critical factors and ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing issues.
Improved Problem-Solving: It enables communicators to identify root causes rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms. This leads to more effective and sustainable solutions, enhancing the overall impact of communication strategies.
Enhanced Collaboration: Systems thinking encourages the inclusion of diverse perspectives by breaking down silos. This fosters better teamwork and ensures that communication efforts align with the goals of all stakeholders.
Proactive Adaptation: By recognizing patterns and feedback loops, systems thinking allows communicators to anticipate challenges and adjust their strategies accordingly. This adaptability is crucial in dynamic or unpredictable environments.
Stronger Connection to Stakeholders: It promotes empathy by considering how actions, messages, and decisions affect others within the system. This can lead to more meaningful engagement and trust-building with audiences.
In short, The Systems Thinking Approach® equips communicators with the tools to navigate complexity, build stronger connections, and achieve more impactful results.