Linear Thinking is Narrow
Scott Miker
Linear thinking is a narrow way of thinking that simplifies situations by focusing on two variables out of many. It believes that there is a simple cause and effect, start and finish, problem and solution, birth and death, rise and fall, and action and reaction.
However, this approach ignores the complexity of systems and fails to take into account all the factors involved. This type of thinking can lead to flawed conclusions and ineffective solutions.
Examples of this can be seen in weather forecasting, the U.S. health care system, and personal goals. All of these represent complex systems, not simple problems requiring a quick and easy solution.
Determining future weather requires analysis of weather patterns and historical reference points that mimic current situations. This analysis often gives a probability of an occurrence. It is up to the forecaster to use that information to make a solid interpretation.
The U.S. health care system includes all the doctors, hospitals, patients, insurance companies, billing companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. There isn’t a simple answer to the question, “How can it be better?”. Making changes to one aspect of the full system will have ripple effects throughout the system. Overhauling the system with a linear thinking mindset would lead to ruin.
Personal goal setting seems easy. We decide what we want and set a goal to reach it. The problem is that the area we want to change is interconnected with many other aspects of our lives. Making that one change seems simple, until you start considering all the other factors. Therefore, systems thinking provides more value because it helps identify those interconnected elements and moves towards aligning them for future success, not discounting them.
Systems thinking has major advantages over linear thinking. It recognizes the interconnectedness and complexity of a system and seeks to understand all the factors involved. It acknowledges that any change made to a complex system will have impacts throughout the system, and that any system contains both positive and negative elements.
For more on Linear Thinking versus Systems Thinking check out You Can’t Surf from the Shore.