Systemic

Some conflicts seem unsolvable. Despite efforts like negotiation or mediation, they keep recurring and causing stress. Often, direct solutions either fail or worsen the situation.

Instead of focusing solely on the immediate issue ( the “figure”), it is more effective to address the deeper causes (the “ground”) and consider long-term solutions. This shift involves engaging with conflict in a new way, focusing on the broader systems at play.

Systemic Wisdom, a concept introduced by Gregory Bateson, helps us understand the interconnectedness of issues and recognize complex patterns. This perspective leads to more sustainable and constructive conflict resolution.

Recent studies have developed strategies for addressing complex challenges like bias, political polarization, and global conflicts. These strategies focus on three key competencies:

  1. Complexity Aptitudes: The ability to navigate complex, interconnected issues

  2. Systemic Agency: The capacity to influence and change systemic patterns

  3. Adaptive Action: The ability to respond flexibly to evolving conflicts (6)

Complexity Aptitudes

To build systemic wisdom, it’s important to develop several key abilities:

  1. Zooming Out: Look beyond the immediate issue to understand the larger forces influencing the situation.

  2. Zooming In: Identify leverage points where small changes can have a significant impact.

  3. Anticipating Consequences: Predict potential outcomes and plan for unintended results.

  4. Adaptability: Learn from setbacks and adjust strategies as situations evolve.

Five Key Skills for Navigating Complex Conflicts

Studies show that the following skills enhance our ability to handle complex conflicts:

  • Integrative Complexity: The ability to see multiple perspectives and combine them into a coherent action plan.

  • Emotional Complexity: Recognizing, understanding, and managing a wide range of emotions.

  • Tolerance for Ambiguity: Comfort with uncertainty and the complexities of conflict.

  • Consideration for Future Consequences: Anticipating the long-term impact of decisions and actions.

  • Behavioral Complexity: Flexibly applying different strategies based on the situation. (7)

Systemic Agency: Getting in Sync

Systemic wisdom provides practical approaches for addressing complex, intractable conflicts by focusing on balance rather than control. This approach contrasts two strategies: Mastery and Harmony.

1. Mastery vs. Harmony

  • Mastery focuses on controlling and changing specific elements to solve problems.

  • Harmony acknowledges limited control and seeks to adjust the forces within the system to achieve long-term balance.

2. Harmony Objectives

  • Instead of addressing only immediate problems, Harmony aims to improve the entire system. For example, rather than just resolving tensions between departments, the goal is to foster a culture of cooperation that prevents future conflicts.

3. Harmony Processes

  • Harmony emphasizes understanding the broader system—its environment, history, and culture—rather than just solving isolated problems. The approach focuses on identifying and supporting those who are already driving positive change, avoiding unintended consequences.

4. Harmony Outcomes

  • Leaders who adopt a broader, more informed perspective and make ongoing decisions based on system-wide awareness tend to achieve better, more sustainable outcomes. (8)

Adaptive Action: Embracing Failure

Failure is a natural part of solving complex problems. The key is to learn from setbacks and minimize negative impacts. Research by Dietrich Dörner (1997) identifies three strategies for success:

  1. Test Solutions: Use pilot projects to experiment, learn rom failures, and gain a deeper understanding of the system

  2. Adapt Continuously: Make decisions while staying flexible and adjusting strategies based on feedback

  3. Stay Focused, Not Rigid: Address key issues without becoming fixated on a single solution. Stay open to new approaches

Citation: Dörner, 1997

Systemic Conflict IQ Toolkit