Marilyn Ortiz

Systems Thinking
Assignment 7.3

Course Analysis Summary

The course Systems Thinking is a very informative course that helps you think in depth

of what it takes to be a real leader. This course made me view leadership in a different

perspective which involved systems thinking and learning organization.

I felt that the discussion questions and assignments challenged me to learn new

perspectives and theories of leadership. I felt that I learned something new every week

on leadership and systems thinking.

System thinking is utilizing habits, tools and concepts to develop an understanding of the

interdependent structures.

Systems thinking is a powerful set of problem solving tools and techniques based on

systems analysis and design, explained by Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline. By

practicing these tools and techniques can help us avoid unintended consequences and find

optimal solutions to complex problems.

Prior to this course I had no knowledge of what system thinking was about. I also

learned about causal loop diagrams and how important they were in problem solving and

finding the root of the problem.

Casual loop diagrams explains the behavior of a system by showing a collection of nodes

and feedback loops created by connections.

The book The Fifth Discipline Peter Senge explains five disciplines which are good

practices of a learning organization.

The five disciplines are:

1. Shared Vision

2. Mental Models

3. Personal Mastery
4. Team Learning

5. Systems Thinking

Having a shared vision is important to an organization because it puts everyone on the

same page to create a vision together. By creating this vision you must have

communication and understanding of others perspective. The importance of dialogue is

crucial in creating a shared vision.

Mental models are beliefs, values and the mindsets of others that determine how they act.

This is a very important discipline in creating a organization culture of learning and

setting structure.

Personal mastery is having self-awareness. You must learn to lead yourself first before

you can lead others. This is personally my favorite discipline because I believe you have

to really be true to who you are before you can become a leader to others.

I believe in Metanoia- the shift of mind. We are constantly learning from others and our

experiences. We have the ability to recreate ourselves through learning and make

changes.

I love to learn and I will continually learn everyday.

Peter Senge also describes three new roles of a leader that form a system of leader ship.

The three new roles of leadership are:

1. Designer

2. Teacher

3. Steward

The Designer is the back of the scene role which involves the mechanics and structure.
The Teacher role is the one who influences others to learn and grow in an organization.

The Steward is to be a servant first and have compassion for others well-being and

growth.

I felt that The Fifth Displine by Peter Senge is a great book on leadership. The book

gave great insight on the art and practice of a learning organization.

I feel that this class helped me in my personal life as well as professionally. It helped me

to become more self aware of who I am as a person and leader.

Overall I enjoyed this class and I will use what I learned in my future leadership roles.