The Benefit of a Systems Lens: Viewing Feedback from a "Systems Thinking" model

Understanding feedback through a systems lens has advantages. This pure feedback loop is more accurate, it moves us away from needless judgement, and it enhances accountability just to name a few. By taking a step back and examining the feedback and data we receive in three different ways, we can understand it much clearer.
Those ways are:
Are differences between the giver and receiver creating friction for the feedback?
Is the feedback partly related to the differing roles between giver and receiver as it relates to the common “system”?
Are processes, policies, physical environment, or other factors within the system reinforcing problems with the feedback?
Allowing ourselves to view feedback from a “Systems Thinking” model, we can begin to look for patterns, understand the feedback loop with more accuracy, and identify contributing factors to both failure and success.

This quick (IGNITE-style) talk will discuss feedback from a “Systems Thinking” perspective.

Transcript

1. @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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2. The Benefits
   of a
   Systems Lens:
   Viewing feedback from a “Systems Thinking” model
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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3. System:
   Interacting or Interdependent components forming a
   complex “whole”
   Each component influences other components
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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4. Feedback:
   Giving <-------------------|------------------> Receiving
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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5. Correct the skew of any single perspective by combining
   multiple sources to understand contributing factors
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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6. Without it
   Lack of "Systems Thinking" can cause us to create a
   mental model based solely on what you can see or the
   experiences that only we have.
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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7. Systems Lens
   understanding how independent contributors influence
   one another within a complete entity, or larger system.
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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8. 5 key benefits
   from approaching feedback through a “Systems Lens”
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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9. Accuracy
   @jasonhand | VictorOps
   

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10. Discard
    needless
    judgement
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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11. Enhance
    Accountability
    &
    Responsibility
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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12. Correct our tendency to
    shift or absorb
    blame
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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13. Avoid
    “fixes that fail”
    #YoloOps
    #ItsProbablyFine
    #YourProblemNow
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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14. How
    do we do this?
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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15. Ask:
    Are differences between the giver
    and receiver creating friction for
    the feedback?
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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16. Ask:
    Is the feedback partly related to
    the differing roles between giver
    and receiver as it relates to the
    common “system”?
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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17. Ask:
    Are processes, policies, physical
    environment, or other factors
    within the system reinforcing
    problems with the feedback?
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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18. Systems Thinking
    allows us to begin looking for
    patterns
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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19. If you were sleeping
    Benefits:
    - More accurate
    - Move away from judgement
    - Clearer accountability & responsibility
    - No more shifting or absorbing blame
    - No more "fixes that fail"
    @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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20. @jasonhand | VictorOps
    

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