How to Develop a Systems Mindset: Playing the Long Game

Key Takeaways

• Marketing (and business) success relies on recognizing and optimizing the interconnected systems. The right mindset helps in understanding how different elements contribute to the bigger picture.
• Operating as a cohesive unit rather than in isolated silos enhances performance. Cross-functional (and cross-department) collaboration ensures that all team efforts are aligned towards common goals, preventing inefficiencies.
• Prioritizing customer needs and feedback can prevent siloed thinking and ensure long-term competitiveness and satisfaction. Customers care about overall quality, not internal processes.
• Embrace continuous improvement by learning from different business areas and understanding financial dynamics. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions that benefit the entire organization.
• Successful organizations foster unity and shared purpose across all levels. Intentional efforts to build relationships and trust lead to effective collaboration and better achievement of goals.

As a kid growing up, basketball was more than just a game to me—it was a way of life. Countless hours spent on the court taught me invaluable lessons, not just about sportsmanship and skill, but about the intricate systems at play behind every game. From the clockwork coordination of team members to the strategic sets drawn up by coaches, basketball is a symphony of moving parts that, when in harmony, create both enjoyment and championship moments.

Over the years, I learned that winning isn’t just about individual talent or seeing how many points you could score. It is about understanding the flow of the game, anticipating the movements of other players, and recognizing how each pass, dribble, shot, and stop contributed to the bigger picture. Whether executing a fast break, setting up a pick-and-roll, boxing out for a rebound, or rotating on defense, each play is a testament to the system contributing to either victory or defeat.

This understanding of systems didn’t just apply to basketball; it became a guiding principle in all aspects of life and work. Just as in basketball, where the synergy of players, coaches, and plays determines the outcome, organizations thrive when they embrace a Systems Mindset. It’s about recognizing the interconnected nature of people, processes, data, and technology within an organization, and how these elements work together to find meaning in the mission and drive value through delivery.

Adopting a Systems Mindset can transform the way we approach challenges and opportunities. Just as in any game, players’ movements and choices have a ripple effect impacting what happens next and the end result. Similarly, within an organization, employee interactions and leadership decisions set sequences in motion which can lead to fulfilling work and amazing impacts, or quite the opposite.

“Working as one” is a common framing to achieve athletic accomplishments. Yet, how often do we ignore this same way of thinking when going after organizational aspirations? 

At AgileSherpas, we’ve delivered thousands of hours of coaching, training, and strategic support to teams at Fortune 500 brands and fast-growing disruptors alike. Success doesn’t come from a one-time workshop or a single process change. It comes from consistent alignment, prioritization, and collaboration. Yet, we often observe a common challenge–operating in silos rather than as a cohesive system. 

In determining a direction, one business unit might chart a course without realizing the impact on another. Similarly, two teams, who ought to collaborate, may be on a collision course, unaware they’re attempting to arrive at the same place. Meanwhile, the often ignored department finally seeks to secure more for themselves, overlooking that this will deplete the resources needed for others to reach the desired destination.

What happens when the system succumbs to this siloed approach–failing to “work as one”? Business performance falters, customers become frustrated, team morale dips, and the organization plateaus.

On the other hand, the most successful companies we partner with understand the transformative power of a Systems Mindset. Their leaders are dedicated to embracing this way of thinking and weaving it throughout every level of the organization, ensuring that teams can tackle challenges as a unified force.

Leading with a Systems Mindset 

With a Systems Mindset at the forefront, you filter every decision and action through the frame of OUR OUTCOMES and embrace the following:

• Whether tackling challenges or ideating, you act on behalf of the larger organization first and then as an advocate for your specific team or department. You understand the bigger picture and appreciate the trade-offs and constraints that come with it.
• You truly value all organizational functions, not just tolerating them. You understand how your team's choices affect those functions and the broader system, fostering a sense of interconnectedness.
• You’re willing to set aside personal preferences and team projects for the greater good, seeing yourself “working as one” with the organization.

If we’re being honest, we probably don’t see ourselves or others embodying the Systems Mindset, at least as often as we should. Why is that?

Adopting a Systems Mindset requires significant shifts in thinking and embracing new behaviors. It might appear more efficient to concentrate on individual contributions and “my” work, not getting bogged down by the organizational overhead and complexities. However, when independent (but disconnected) efforts occur within connected systems, it often results in duplication, disagreements, and dissatisfaction.

So “how might we” grow our Systems Mindset and put it into action?

Developing a Systems Mindset 

There is no shortage of ways to explore systems thinking and demonstrate a Systems Mindset. Here’s a solid “Starting 5” which borrows from my playing days:

1. Love the Game, Learn the Playbook

Don’t just stick to the plays where you get the ball and score. You need to learn the ones where you assist, are the decoy, or even those of the other team. Actively learning the intricacies of different business units and functions is essential to success. 

Just like a point guard understanding the roles of every player on the court, leaders need to grasp the distinct subcultures and languages of various departments.

Challenge yourself in the upcoming quarter to connect with someone from a different business area each month. Ask them questions to understand their goals, challenges, and how you can share the ball more effectively.

2. See the Whole Court

Court vision means keeping your head up while dribbling and being aware of the action at all times. With it, you see plays before they happen which leads to that critical bucket or steal which might decide the game. 

Beyond learning the roles, embrace the ecosystem as a series of interconnected plays and parts. Knowing how the business operates and what drives profit and loss is crucial. For many, including myself, financial acumen hasn’t been an area of depth.

Find a mentor and situations that will help you understand the financial levers at play, much like a player seeks coaching and practice to develop skills. Such visibility and knowledge are key to appreciating how different areas impact each other and making decisions which benefit both the team and the organization.

3. Don’t Forget the Fans

Fans rarely care about individual stats or standout plays if they don’t result in wins and contribute to championships. Your customers are like the fans in the stands—they don’t care about the team’s internal divisions or silos.

They care about the quality and performance of what YOU deliver. Keeping their needs front and center helps you avoid the trap of siloed thinking and ensures you’re playing to win now and stay competitive for the long haul.

4. Build a Dynasty

The most storied franchises conjure images of those who dominate for years. They start with a mindset of buying into something bigger than yourself and committing to the shared objective.

Always ground your discussions in organizational outcomes beyond individual teams. Create a culture of excellence, teamwork, and pursuit of the win-win.

By keeping the broader goals in mind, you ensure every move contributes to organizational momentum. If the game plan prioritizes individual accolades and rewards isolated contributions, overall success suffers.

5. Build Team Chemistry

Championship-caliber organizations have a strong sense of unity and shared purpose throughout the team but also extending from the front office to the training staff. They rely on each other both on and off the court. True success comes when meaningful relationships exist across the organization.

This may require intentional efforts, such as leadership retreats or workshops, to build those connections. From there, cross-departmental relationships strengthen and cross-functional collaboration thrives. When people know and trust each other, they can work together fluidly to achieve the organization’s goals and score big!

Embracing a Systems Mindset could be the game-changing play in your pursuit of success—whether it’s your own, your team’s, or the organization’s. Just like in basketball, where any player can make a pivotal pass or crucial play, any part of the organizational system can either propel or hinder business potential.

Systems Mindset FAQs

What is a Systems Mindset?

A Systems Mindset is a way of understanding and approaching problems and situations by viewing them not as isolated incidents, but as interconnected parts of a larger, dynamic system. It emphasizes seeing the big picture and recognizing how different parts contribute to overall success, similar to how players and plays come together in a basketball game.

Why is a Systems Mindset important in marketing (and business)?

A Systems Mindset helps prevent siloed thinking, improves collaboration, and ensures that all team efforts align with organizational goals. Marketing operates within a complex and dynamic environment. A holistic view enables better decision-making and enhances overall business performance.

How can organizations develop a Systems Mindset?

Developing a Systems Mindset within an organization is not a one-time training event; it's a fundamental shift in culture, processes, and leadership. Organizations can develop a Systems Mindset by promoting cross-functional collaboration, prioritizing customer needs, and encouraging continuous learning. Building a strong team culture and understanding financial dynamics are also key components.

What challenges might arise when adopting a Systems Mindset?

Adopting a Systems Mindset can be challenging due to ingrained individual and organizational behaviors which at times are tied to incentives like a commission. With change of any sort likely to meet resistance, effective communication and change management plans help when shifting thinking, embracing new behaviors, and fostering a culture of trust and openness across all levels of the organization.

It’s Time to Think Big, Start Small, and Learn Fast

At AgileSherpas, we empower you to see the big picture making every move count. Our years of experience have shown that true success requires a blend of actionable insights and practical application. Navigating the complexities of organizational transformation can be daunting, but our expertise is just the assist needed to ensure your team is ready to tackle any challenge.

We’ve witnessed organizations struggle to find the right mindsets and path toward agility, even when the benefits are clear. Achieving lasting transformation through strategic shifts demands a mix of training, coaching, and iterative learning. Our approach is simple: Think Big, Start Small, Learn Fast. This methodology allows you to envision broad goals, initiate manageable steps, and quickly adapt based on feedback.

That’s why we offer comprehensive services tailored to your needs, providing guidance every step of the way. Ready for a change? Explore AgileSherpas services and let us help you align your organization and mindset FTW (for the win)!