See the patterns others miss and make smarter decisions in an increasingly complex world


Why do well-intentioned solutions sometimes make problems worse? Why do the same issues keep resurfacing despite your best efforts? The answer is often found not in individual actions, but in the systems that shape them. This powerful one-day workshop introduces leaders to systems thinking, a practical and evidence-based approach to understanding complexity, uncovering root causes, and identifying high-leverage interventions. Through hands-on tools, real case studies, and collaborative inquiry, participants will develop a fundamentally different and far more effective way of approaching their most persistent leadership challenges.

Objective

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between linear and systems thinking and know when to apply each
• Explain core systems concepts: interconnectedness, feedback loops, archetypes, and leverage points
• Construct Causal Loop Diagrams to map how problems and solutions interact
• Read Behaviour-Over-Time Graphs to identify patterns and predict future dynamics
• Analyse real workplace challenges to uncover systemic root causes rather than surface symptoms
• Identify high-leverage intervention points where small changes produce large results
• Apply systems thinking to your own leadership challenges with peer input and guidance

Outline

Linear Thinking vs Systems Thinking
• The Iceberg Model: seeing what lies beneath the surface of any problem
• Butterfly Effects at work: how small actions can have large unintended consequences
• When linear thinking helps and when it leads us astray

Core Systems Concepts
• Interconnectedness: understanding how parts of a system influence each other
• Feedback loops: reinforcing and balancing dynamics
• Constructing and reading Causal Loop Diagrams (hands-on activity)

System Archetypes and Leverage Points
• Common system archetypes and why they keep appearing in organisations
• Identifying leverage points: where to intervene for maximum impact
• Case study: mapping a real organisational challenge using systems tools

Behaviour-Over-Time Graphs
• Reading graphs to identify recurring patterns of behaviour
• Using trends to anticipate future dynamics
• Linking patterns to underlying system structures

Applying Systems Thinking to Your Own Challenges
• World Cafe: collaborative exploration of complex real-world leadership challenges
• Individual application: mapping your own challenge with peer and facilitator input
• Refining your systemic solution and identifying your highest-leverage next step

Who should attend

This workshop is ideal for first-line managers, team leaders, and mid-level leaders who are dealing with complex, recurring, or interconnected challenges in their organisations. It is particularly valuable for those in strategy, operations, policy, HR, and organisational development roles, across the public sector, financial services, consulting, and other industries where navigating complexity is part of the daily landscape.

Methodology

This highly hands-on workshop uses the World Cafe discussion format, guided case study analysis, small group systems mapping exercises, expert facilitation, and individual reflection activities. Participants will work with real challenges from their own contexts, supported by peer and facilitator input. Flipchart paper, markers, and sticky notes are used extensively throughout.

Tham Yining Erin's Profile

Erin is an organisational psychologist and ICF-certified coach with over 14 years of applied experience in psychological training and organisational development. She previously served as a Principal Psychologist with the Singapore Police Force (2012–2023), where she partnered with leaders to address workplace challenges across resilience, leadership, operational readiness, and organisational diagnostics.

Erin brings deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, psychological safety, and employee wellbeing. She has designed and delivered impactful programmes in coaching, counselling skills, supervisory care, and crisis response, while also leading large-scale initiatives such as employee engagement surveys and assessment centres for senior leaders. Her work includes advising leaders on culture, performance management, and organisational effectiveness.

Her training style is practical, interactive, and grounded in real-world experience, enabling participants to better understand people, navigate complexity, and apply skills effectively in their day-to-day roles.

Erin holds a Master of Science in Organisational Psychology (Distinction) from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from Singapore Management University.