Being a systems (over)thinker

From John Cutler:

Some things I’ve learned over the years as a Systems (Over)Thinker

1. Take care of yourself. Your brain is working overtime—all the time. Practice “radical” recovery
2. You may spend a lot longer thinking about things than most people. Pace your delivery
3. If you go deep first, and then simplify…keep in mind that you don’t need to show all of your work
4. Your default description of (almost) any problem will be too threatening/overwhelming
5. Do your deepest thinking with co-conspirators (not the people you’re trying to influence)
6. Informal influence is often not formally recognized. Prepare mentally for this
7. The people you’re trying to influence spend 98% of their day overwhelmed by business as usual
8. Remember to also do the job you were hired to do (if you don’t you’ll be easier to discount)
9. Seek “quick wins”, but know that most meaningful things will take a while
10. Some things take ages to materialize. It is discontinuous, not continuous
11. Make sure to celebrate your wins. They will be few and far between, so savor the moment
12. The people who support you in private may not be able to support you in public. Accept that
13. Hack existing power structures—it’s much easier than trying to change them
14. Consider becoming a formal leader. It’s harder in many ways, but you’ll have more leverage. What’s stopping you?
15. In lieu of being a formal leader, make sure to partner with people who actually “own” the area of change
16. Watch out for imposing your worldview on people. Have you asked about what people care about?
17. You’ll need a support network. And not just a venting network. Real support
18. “Know when to fold ‘em”. Listen to Kenny Rogers The Gambler. Leave on your own terms
19. Don’t confuse being able to sense/see system dynamics, with being about to “control” them. You can’t
20. Grapple with your demons, and make sure not to wrap up too much of your identity in change