Human Systems

We live in a society that believes in individualism to the point where we seem blind to the fact that we exist and operate only within systems. No one “pulls themselves up by their own bootstraps.” The phrase itself—when you attempt to image it—makes that point very well. John Donne makes the same point with his, “No man is an island entire of itself.” We exist and operate only within systems. With that blindness comes the meagerness of our Western ability to manage systemic change. We want to end poverty and racism and war. We want to change the culture of our organizations. We want our kids to be safe from drug abuse and what we pay for health care to be lower. All of these things are systemic issues that can only be resolved systemically. What does that mean? How can we understand systems?

For a one page primary on human systems go to http://www.chumans.com/human-systems-resources/understanding-human-systems.html.

Let me know what you think! For real detail you’ll have to wait for the book I’m working on!

Michael