Design & Systems Thinking - Integral Parts of Future Business Sustainability

How can we use design and systems thinking to create sustainable businesses in today's global economy?

Design thinking is "the ability to combine empathy for the context of a problem, creativity in the generation of insights and solutions, and rationality to analyze and fit solutions to the context." Wikipedia.

I believe that many of the complexities that are emerging in business today and will increase in the future, can be solved with greater levels of design thinking.

Creating meaningful solutions for people begins with an understanding of their needs. With greater knowledge of context, we can begin to build and apply creativity to solve increasing complexity.

Much of this will depend on working with other people, each of whom will bring their own unique creative abilities and skill-sets to the table to eventually arrive at formulated systems designed for greater relevance to context.

For design thinking to be effective it needs to be expansive and not defined by any set of constraints. Out of its expansive nature will emerge ideas and solutions that are best suited to solve challenges.

Creativity is only one part of what is needed to solve increasing levels of complexity. It is part of a more integrally woven whole. We still require rational frameworks to position whatever we create into more holistic webs.

Therefore design thinking cannot be seen as separate from systems thinking.

"Systems thinking is the process of understanding how things influence one another within a whole. In organizations systems consist of people, structures, and processes that work together to make organizations healthy or unhealthy." Wikipedia.

When we use design thinking: our ability to observe and understand context and how to use creativity to master challenges we are essentially plugging a design thinking framework into a systems framework that influences relationships with other systems.

When there's a weakness in a part of an overall whole, a part that no longer benefits the health of that whole, then the system is compromised. This can lead to eventual systemic collapse.

Design thinking can remedy weakening parts of overarching wholes. Parts that limit growth, development and the health of a system need to either be replaced with more robust and systemically sustainable parts, or the entire system needs to be dissolved for an altogether more relevant framework.

While we dissolve old modes of production, we can use design thinking to create new and expansive ways of production in alignment with personal and systemic needs of current and future contexts.

Mindset Mastery at Work

It is my intention in this blog post to show how we can use mindset mastery to tap into unlimited potentials, possibilities, and creative powers within.

Although never an easy process, much like rewiring the neural networks of our brains, mindset mastery enables us to examine our limits, thereby creating resistance and push-back. But if done consistently, in a relaxed and fluid way, it can open up new potentials and complexities of thinking that previously never existed.

The first step involves systematically identifying the usefulness of mindset assumptions. For example, say I have a passion for travel and writing and would love to combine the two to become a travel writer. However, there's a core underlying assumption that I can't do both without first having to earn the money to do what I love - travel and writing.

Where does this assumption come from? What is the core belief about travel and writing? Is it that we need to first earn large sums of money to travel or that writers are seen as people who struggle to make ends meet?  Through a questioning process, we can very quickly begin to see the base from which these assumptions stem.

So the second step would be a process of deep inquiry into the validity of the core premise of the assumption we make. As soon as we begin to really question any underlying assumptive base we begin to see the cracks in the building of that very motive.

Ultimately, every assumptive base has its own limitations, the question is to what extent do we allow or disallow those motives to shape our external realities? If I have the belief that I first have to earn a living in order to live my passion then this will be proved true, keeping my passion unfulfilled. But if I really question this logic, put it to the test, research its premise, I will begin to see the inherent flaws in its logic.

When this core premise is unearthed and understood for what it represents, a false assumption, the work of deconstructing its base for more consciously aligned, relevant and intentional ways of thinking and behaving can take place.

Intentionally constructing a new premise based on a more complex understanding of the way these assumptions shape who we are and what we achieve is undoubtedly going to leave us better off than before. Until it comes time again to question that very assumptive base for higher levels of complexity of thinking that better serve our needs.

Although I may still have to continue to earn a living, I can now very intentionally construct a new assumptive base from which arises the opportunity to mold writer, traveler and business into a whole filled with raw potential.

If I consistently work at constructing this new motive over a period of time, depending on the amount of work I put into its development, eventually I will have the capabilities to transition over to what I love doing on a full-time basis.

This is done through the process of deconstructing what is no longer useful and deliberately reconstructing that which better serves my needs. This is the process of mindset mastery at work.

The Power of a Paradigm Shift

It was Thomas Kuhn, the philosopher of science, who made known the power of a paradigm shift in his controversial 1962 book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.

In his book, it shows that almost every significant breakthrough in the field of scientific endeavor, is first a break with tradition, with old ways of thinking, or limited paradigms.

Let's take the Newtonian model of physics as an example. This particular model outlines a clockwork paradigm which is the basis of modern engineering but it is partial and incomplete. The scientific world was revolutionized by the relativity paradigm which had higher predictive and explanatory value. Here was a marked paradigm shift in the evolutionary cycle of science and human development.

How does a paradigm shift relate to the field of personal development?

Firstly I think it's important to note that not all paradigm shifts are from negative to positive, as some shifts may result in things moving in the opposite direction. Much of it depends on the sources of our attitudes and behaviors.

What is the purpose of a paradigm shift? A paradigm shift allows us to see things differently, to think in a different way, to feel differently, to behave differently. If there's a sense of struggle in any of these areas, a paradigm shift can open up new perspectives for higher levels of development.

A paradigm shift can often be brought about by a crisis or stepping into a new role. These fundamental changes can allow us to open our minds to a new paradigm that is like entering a whole new world. Space or freedom emerges from what seems like chaos or something foreign.

Quantum change occurs spontaneously when we see things differently, not when we try to change surface level attitudes, behavior or personality according to external context. In order to make the kind of lasting change in personal development for greater happiness we need to instead observe the fundamental roots from which these attitudes and behavior flow.

We need to ask ourselves the question: what is the underlying assumptive base from which stems old or limiting patterns of thought, feeling and behavior? Doing this allows for greater perspective to emerge on how the fundamental motives that have been ingrained in our body/mind system prevent or assist in the realm of personal growth.

A paradigm or a belief system can be interpreted as a lens through which we see the world. This lens will invariably impact our behavior, our communication and our relationships.

So the question that may be most pertinent to ask in this instance is; what area of your life is superseded by a perception of limit? How can you work with paradigms to shift this or transform it for more relevant and expansive ways of thinking, feeling and behaving? 

3 Ways to Use Mindset Mastery for Greater Clarity

How do you prepare yourself for any shift in consciousness? I was writing my morning pages the other day and used this topic for contemplation.

It's all very well to have a belief system or world view that is for relevant and sustainable change, but what if we occupy a view that shifts our consciousness and questions our own belief system, how do we cope with this? And if interested, how do we transition from a world view that is more simple to one that holds more complexity?

I believe the key lies in mastering ones mindset. What does this mean, and how does one go about mastering mindset.

Mindset mastery is an ongoing process. It's not something to be learnt in a text book and intellectually understood. Although we can learn a few simple frameworks for mastering states of consciousness and developing psychological agility, we need to learn through a process of observation.

What is mindset mastery? At a fundamental level it means having a degree of influence over thoughts, feelings and states of being. There are 2 main states that influence our thoughts and emotions - contracted/tense and relaxed.

In an evolutionary context we've spent a lot of time using the contracted state to get things done. While it may have given us a lot - systems, infrastructure and modes of production, it has come at a price. Our well being has been severely impacted. More complex environments have increased stress levels because we have to keep up with growing rates of production and rising prices.

So at the heart of mindset mastery exists a deep relaxation of the stress and tension that causes much pain and suffering. Once we have learnt to master resistance to such states of consciousness, we can intentionally begin to work with our unique talents for greater peace, happiness, creativity and productivity.

So, how to begin to master mindset?

1. Begin to notice any old belief systems or patterns of thinking that give rise to stress and tension. Where do these come from and how ingrained are they in your consciousness? These are the old beliefs that limit personal development that require transformation. 
2. Once you've noticed the no longer relevant belief system, move to the feeling it generates inside of you when you use that particular belief system. Observe this feeling daily and notice how it negatively impacts your behavior.
3. Once you notice that you have become a victim of these thoughts and feelings and how they play out in you not getting the results you want, begin to transform them by adopting more relevant and abundant ways of being. This may mean tapping into your unique talents, working with your interests, or better understanding your values.

We develop the psychological agility to help us get the results we want by working intentionally on these 2 paradigms; dissolving resistance to tension and stress (mastering states of consciousness) while aligning with our interests and talents.

South Africa: A Case for Integration?

In a country like South Africa, you have a lot of diversity with not much integration. Whereas in somewhere like Hong Kong I would imagine that you have a lot integration with not as much diversity.

In South Africa, there's a melting pot of tribes, cultures, communities and individuals. This is what makes the country so unique. But because this variety of cultures has not been properly integrated, there's very little cohesion and cooperation towards a common vision.

If I'm at an egocentric level, then I'm going to be concerned primarily with this 'I'. And the needs of this 'I'. Everything I do will feed the narrative of this 'I'.

At the developmental level above this it's more about integrating systems and structures that work for a common good. Beliefs are shaped around laws, regulations and a discipline that builds the moral fiber of a society.

Above this we move into a stage of development where the rules of the game are played to win at all costs. At this level society prospers through strategy, technology, competition and the unending need to make profit.

Transcending this level is an egalitarian worldview that seeks to free human spirit from dogma, greed and its divisive nature. All humans are seen as equal.

The problem arises in that at each level, you can't see past that level to the level above unless you're very intentionally working on psychological development. This includes an egalitarian worldview which can't see past its level for more holistic and integral societies.

In South Africa, including its people of a tribal consciousness, you have people split across all 4 levels. There's nothing right or wrong with this, just that the aspects of the higher levels offer more perspective for the ability to integrate.

When you have such diversity without any intentional integration, societies tend to become fragmented which can result in chaos. This is especially true when the leadership of a country can't see past it's own limitation or understand the need for integration.

7 Qualities of The Expansive Mindset

As we undergo transformation, heal suffering and engage again with more vision and purpose, we find ourselves using a mindset that is unlike anything we've witnessed before. Welcome to the expansive mindset.

What are some of its qualities?

1. Ability to transform resistance: This is the key to being able to access the expansive mindset; our ability to relax our tension and anxieties, to surrender and transform suffering. Unlike the notion of Traditional Enlightenment which is pure surrender and letting go of that which holds us back, the surrender in the expansive mindset has the capacity to transform resistance in the moment - kinda like surrender in action.
2. New levels of identity, vision and purpose: Traditional Enlightenment dissolves our motive for participation so the expansive mindset asks; how can I re-engage from a space of meaning and purpose through my new identity which is part of my vision? Who am I, what am I here to do and say, and how can I participate from a meaningful perspective?
3. Mastering increasing complexity: I refer to complexity in this context not only from a diversity perspective, but also from an integration perspective. As we move up the levels of psychological development, we move from simplicity to complexity. So to what extent can we hold more perspectives (diversity) as well as integrate these perspectives for greater understanding? Diversity without integration results in chaos and integration without diversity results in a narrow vision.
4. Relevance: the idea of relevance is subject to context. Therefore any form of mastery in the realm of relevance has to do with a solid understanding of what's going on around us. This includes knowledge of systems, structures, environments as well as where people themselves are coming from (perspective). There's no ways we can begin to be relevant without first understanding the challenges we face in the present moment as well as to an extent, how we got here, and what we need to do to get there.
5. Cooperation: in the expansive mindset there's a shift from competition to cooperation. There's a shift from adversarial thinking based on limit and how do I control others to get what I want, to how do I work with others to create what I want. When we've relaxed the tension around our need to "get," developed a sense of identity, vision and purpose, then there's simply no one to be in competition with because no one can say or do what you can do. How can you work with others to develop your unique talents?
6. Community: through this type of cooperation are we able to form communities where we can give of our gifts, and help each other to realize our full potentials. The age of ascent has been grounded in the idea that there's something wrong for which we have to work furiously to put right. Societies have become more and more fragment as a result. The expansive mindset works at reengaging with community with a tribal consciousness flavor but more intentionally and purposefully.
7. Trail and error: the traditional concept of evolution has been to arrive at that perfect state without any acknowledgement of the messiness of the process. The creative process is littered with corpses of all the failed cosmic experiments. Looking back we don't see the landscape of littered corpses because they're not there. How many light bulbs did Thomas Edison make before arriving at the right one - 990 or something. The point is that the expansive mindset understands the creative process is one of trail and error, so arriving at a process that works is going to be messy.

What are your views on these qualities of the expansive mindset, and do you have any other ideas to add to the expansive list?

A Story: a Banker and His Path to Enlightenment

Andrew is a commodity trader for one of the big investment banks on Wall Street. He is a serious player with a poker face and a don't mess demeanor. With years of practice and hustle in the corporate boardroom, Andrew's invincible facade is dark, shinny and expensive as a Ferrari. No emotions scratch the surface of this man's put-on calm.

But deep down Andrew is in pain because for so many years he's neglected his creative talents for life on Wall Street. There's a certain arrogance about him, an innate confidence, but when things go wrong, he's uncertain how to get back on an even keel.

Andrew can feel his boat is starting to creek but by pushing-back and resisting the uncertainty, he hopes to control the shakiness so it doesn't appear to dent his masculinity. But this only serves to drive his anger and frustration even deeper.

He no longer buys into the values of the company. His work erodes his self-esteem and his confidence has taken a hit. He's fighting a battle on 2 fronts - frequent disagreements with his boss have surfaced and he feels like he's not getting the love and respect he deserves from his wife.

Andrew is at a cross-roads, a crisis point, unsure how to proceed, uncertain about his path and his future. What does he do?

With the help of a coach, Andrew learns to relax his tension around feelings of anger and frustration. He does this by gaining presence. As he gains presence, he begins to objectify his behavior and observe how he plays out the victim mindset. Whenever Andrew notices he's been resisting his feelings to try and control them, he's been using the victim mindset.

Andrew begins to reflect on the working knowledge of the victim and the logic it uses to justify its own irrational behavior. Andrew questions his line of thinking and asks himself: " with this type of thinking am I more or less empowered than before?" He notices that the flow of logic that he has been using leaves him less empowered, a logic built on limit.

Although Andrew realizes he's been using this irrational logic for most of his working life, he starts to feel more intuitive and open to create the life he wants to live. Through this objectification process, he gains a higher level of self-mastery as opposed to self-control.

Andrew realizes he's not his mindset. He is the power that supplies the program of his mindset. He's the animator of his mindset. Whoa! What a relief.

Andrew begins to tap into the creative powers that have been laying dormant in his consciousness for the past 10 years. He has the means to create whatever he wants. He knows he can intuitively and with a measure of consistency, begin to influence his life.

No doubt there will be ups and downs along the way, but he knows this is all part of the learning process. As he starts to rebuild his life and business, Andrew understands that the challenges he will face are part of a life-long journey of self-mastery.

The Importance of Mindset Training

Although traditional business skills are important, their effect is limited by our lack of well being or clarity. Mindset training works at developing this clarity and well being as well as innovation, creativity and production.

Research from the United States of America and Canada has shown a 70% differential between companies that are productive and those that are not, is a direct result of attitude or mindset.

A martial arts teacher taught a group of students in Taiwan to get them prepared for a tournament in Europe. The teacher attributed their outright success at the tournament to their mindset and awareness training. You can have all the business skills or sporting skills in the world, but without mindset training your chances of ongoing success are greatly reduced.

As business professionals we make a constant stream of choices and the perception might be to focus on mindset training once our business is up and running. But why not integrate mindset training from the outset? 

Then if something doesn't go according to plan, instead of using the built-in fight or flight response, we have the clarity and perspective to deal with the situation with greater intelligence and maturity.

The martial arts teacher had this insight according to the premise that if you leave it up to the students they would only focus on mindset at the end of training, by which time apparent flaws in their behavior or logic of thinking might start to negatively impact results. There’s a direct link between mindset training and well being and productivity.

What does mindset training involve? It involves awareness training, developing clarity and well being, mastering states of consciousness that limit development, and working at being more relaxed, open and flowing so you are able to respond faster and with more accuracy.

Traditionally, when something goes wrong, we tend to believe that a contracted state of consciousness will result in faster reactions. This is not the case; being more relaxed results in better, faster and more effective decision making. Ask Michael Phelps if it’s better if he’s more relaxed or nervous before a race and 100% of the time he will tell you; more relaxed.

Mindset is determined by your level of psychological agility and flexibility which has a direct impact on creativity, innovation and productivity. Not only will this generate more revenue, but you’ll have more fun in generating profits while making difference. 

Thinking About Transforming Limit

Everything that has ever existed, which currently exists or will ever exist is the result of a belief system, a pattern of thinking, an ideology, a value system, or a motive for participation.

These structures and systems are the building blocks of mindset. And this exists as a result of consciousness.

You therefore have the power and the ability, through consciousness, to transform any limited belief system that no longer serves you into something more aligned with where you want to go.

Central to this is becoming aware of the limiting aspects of the systems and structures that shape your outer reality. If you are not aware of them, your propensity to transform them is none-existent.

The more you become aware of them and how they shape your outer reality or existence, the greater your ability to dissolve them for more innovative, relevant, and expansive ways of being.

A built-in consciousness has allowed certain patterns and belief systems to emerge that have, to some extent or another, shaped the societies we live in today. You could say they have served a purpose. The question we need to ask ourselves is, do they continue to serve a purpose?

Are the systems and structures that we live in conducive to the evolution of our species and the planet we live on? Do they promote a sense of abundance, peace and happiness? Or do they promote adversarial thinking, and greater forms of scarcity, separation and limitation?

I am starting to see a small shift in consciousness and I believe the internet has played a significant role in this regard, because now more than ever, people are starting to see the flaws in the systems in which we live.

Whether or not this small shift in consciousness will be enough to pave the way for relevant, aligned, and necessary change to take place, remains to be seen.

Until such time that this transformation can begin to take root, new ideologies will exist merely in the realm of inherent "probability."

However, there are 2 things that can turn this "probability" into reality.

1. Free will and the right to choose
2. Your own state of consciousness

How you go about using these or not using these is entirely up to you.

"You're Trying too Hard!" Or, "You're not Trying Hard Enough!"

Have you ever heard the expression; "you're trying too hard, you're going to mess it up?"

Well this is what happens when we push too hard to get something set-up in our business.

Essentially what we're doing is resisting the way things are, thereby locking ourselves into a contracted state of consciousness in order to get what we want.

This has been one of the big lessons I've learnt in setting up a business - you push too hard to get clients and they will end up rejecting you.

So how do we enter a state of flow, hold our vision, take aligned  action and implement relevant strategies all at the same time to grow ourselves and our business?

It gets complex quickly if we need to hold, reconcile and transcend all these contradictions. So how do we go about this?

1. We need a new set of rules. Rules that allow us to engage from our leading edge but also from a very relaxed and fluid state of consciousness.
2. Learn through experience: once you know how to transform resistance in the moment begin putting it to practice in your daily life and see which areas you are resisting instead of allowing them to flow.
3. Get clear on what you want and what you're doing: only through a sense of clarity will you be able to explain to other people what you do in your business. This clarity immediately gives you a sense of authority.
4. Become a business expert as well as a niche expert: here's another contradiction to transcend. Becoming an expert requires one to develop knowledge and skills not only in your chosen field but in the business environment too. Are you clear on what you offer, who you serve, and what problems you solve, and how do you use business processes to communicate this.

What 2 things can we take from these steps? Firstly, gain clarity on what you want to do and align this with your skills and talents. Secondly, develop the experience and find your sweet spot. More pressure than just enough slows the process down.

There's no quick fix. While money may satisfy you for a while, you will need to build that sense of acknowledgement for what you do. So ask yourself how can you transcend and reconcile the difference of having to make money and also work with a sense of purpose. 

There's a Zen Koan. A student runs up to his master and says; "I want to learn marshal arts, how long is it going to take me?" The master replies; "It's going to take you 10 years."

Try too hard and it's going to take you 15 years, don't try hard enough and it's going to take you 15 years. 

The Power of Attention

Key to mastering your mindset is mastering your attention.

Thoughts arise in our consciousness and something gravitates towards them. Our attention. Whatever our attention touches registers as our experience.

We identify strongly with this power of attention through a sense of free will. When we experience an uncomfortable situation our attention really determines our reaction or non-reaction to the situation, which impacts our state of consciousness (relaxed or contracted).

When our minds become agitated we get consumed with thoughts and feelings, reacting to everything or even overreacting, causing our focus to become scattered. Because the mind is consumed by this scattered flow it lacks incisive power and becomes diffuse. If we can become aware of these scattered thoughts and how they influence our behavior then, like channeling the rays of the sun through a magnifying glass for greater heat, we can transform our mindset for greater clarity and focus too.

By identifying with patterns of thinking through embedded processes of attaching to whatever we place our attention on, we form a belief system. If we're not conscious of how we act out the limitations of this belief system, it can cause anxiety, anger or frustration because we invariably push-up against this sense of limitation to try and control it. 

However if we observe where we place our attention at times when we feel frustrated and begin to report something of how this impacts our behavior, then we can begin to transform it.

Key to mindset transformation is being able to transform limitation in order to build intuition and trust. Part of this process is awakening to and discovering a sense of purpose.

How then can you use the inner power of attention to transform conditioned limitation?