The Systems Thinking Playbook

Rating:
Summary: Trainers: Keep this one handy.
Review: As corporate trainers and authors of books for trainers, we keep a lookout for quality and innovation in our field. The Systems Thinking Playbook is a handy three-ring binder filled with interactive lessons that breathe life into systems theory. These clear lesson plans make sometimes intimidating concepts accessible and can inspire course designers to strike off in their own creative directions. If any part of your job includes helping people function in groups or organizations, you should keep The Systems Thinking Playbook within easy reach. - Bill Withers and Keami D. Lewis

Rating:
Summary: Great with multi-cultural groups, but more references needed
Review: Here in South Africa we have no less than 11 official languages! Can you imagine how many mental models are at work in organisations?

As a teacher of Systems Thinking, especially Managerial Cybernetics, I have found the exercises very helpful in grounding the concepts and unlocking the rich variety of perspectives that make up the South African gestalt.

Everytime I facilitate an exercise I learn something new. Makes for a great learning partnership. However, there is a risk that groups have so much fun, they neglect the challenge to get more deeply into 'the thinking within systems thinking' i.e. epistemology and ontology, and may miss opportunities for even deeper awareness and consciousness.

Some more references to other Systems Thinkers and their writings might be useful as follow through and encouragement to embark on deeper learning cycles that lead to more rigourous understanding.

Rating:
Summary: President, Metalens
Review: The Systems Thinking Playbook is one of the most pragmatic and effective books I have found that actually enables one to take theory into practice and make it fun! Learning is most effective when one embodies concepts and Linda Booth Sweeney and Dennis Meadows have done a wonderful job here. Play with it and learn!