Today’s post features the second part of my conversation with Dr. Michael C. Jackson, discussing the upcoming Systems Thinking Systems Practice Conference at Hull and his latest book, Critical Systems Thinking: A Practitioner's Guide.
We discuss how the upcoming conference is dedicated to merging theory with practice. Mike highlights the limitations of the traditional scientific method when addressing human complexity, advocating instead for a pluralistic approach that includes diverse traditions like cybernetics and complexity theory.
We then discuss his latest book in which he introduced his "EPIC" framework - Explore, Produce, Intervene, Check - as a practical guide for professionals to navigate organizational challenges and power dynamics.
You also don’t want to miss the discussions on risk management. Checkout the full episode below.
Systems thinking not only erases the boundaries between the points of view that define the sciences and professions, it also erases the boundary between science and the humanities.
Podcast Video
Members of the Cyb3rSyn Community can watch/discuss the podcast episode on the www.cyb3rsynlabs.com portal or the mobile app (iOS and Android). The video is also on YouTube here 👇🏾
Key Insights and My Reflections
As a cybersecurity practitioner who jumped into entrepreneurship, I'm constantly searching for better ways to understand the messy, interconnected world we build in. From that lens, it was an absolute privilege and delight to sit down with and learn from Dr. Mike C Jackson, a towering figure in the systems thinking world.
Our conversation was a profound journey through the past, present, and future of systems practice. If you are building the next large language model or trying to secure a large corporation, this conversation is a vital reminder of how our technology fits into the broader human perspective.
Here are the key insights and my reflections…
The MIT Trap: Why Systems Dynamics Isn't Enough
The Blind Spot of the Scientific Method
Rethinking Risk: Beyond the Tick-Box
Becoming a "Systems Person"
Appendix - Video Guide on Risk Management