Systems Thinking with Dr. Russell Ackoff

Systems are integrated wholes whose essential properties derive from the interactions of their interdependent parts rather than the actions of the parts taken separately. A biological organism or an automobile demonstrates this principle; while the whole can function or move, no individual component like a heart or a motor possesses these capabilities in isolation. Consequently, improvement programs that focus on optimizing individual parts often fail to enhance, and may even degrade, the performance of the entire system. True progress requires shifting focus from merely removing defects—which only eliminates what is unwanted—to redesigning the system based on desired outcomes. Ultimately, leadership and significant advancement depend on discontinuous improvement fueled by creativity and "leapfrogging" competitors, rather than the incremental imitation found in continuous improvement models.