It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking about social change as a linear process: Identify problem, identify the solution, implement solution (usually in the form of a project or programme), evaluate how successful it’s been.

Sometimes this can be effective, but most of the time the challenges we are trying to solve are a lot messier and more complex than this.

Systems thinking requires a shift in mindset, away from linear and towards the bigger picture.

A systems thinker uses this mindset to work within and untangle the complexity of social change.