Derek Cabrera

Identity always creates an other. Full episode out now: youtu.be/wjlWFMOEBf4

# 1 — Solving Silos with Relationship Zoom. SOLVING THINGS with SYSTEMS THINKING (STwST) — a series of mini, real-world applications of DSRP. Silos are a serious problem—but they aren’t mysterious. They’re structural. A silo is what you get when the bridge between parts of the organization is missing (or imaginary). Quick test I use with exec teams:You call a plumber to connect a sink to a wall. He walks in, takes a big black Sharpie, draws a line between the sink and the wall, and says: “That’ll be $200.” Would you pay him? That’s what we do in organizations… and then we wonder why the sink doesn’t work. We draw conceptual bridges and expect real flow. That pattern is a Sharpie-bridge: a connection that exists in the model, not in reality. Our mental model is out of alignment with the reality of the situation. M ≠ R. So how do you solve silos? You make the relationship real. Any real relationship has 3 properties: 1. it’s an interaction (R) 2. it’s a distinct thing (D) (name it / claim it) 3. it’s a system (S) of parts (a sink-wall connection is ~8+ pieces, not a line) Sales and Engineering are real. Each of them “owns staplers” and have people, budgets, metrics, and tools. But the relationship between them often owns… nothing. If it owns nothing, it isn’t real. Like a relay race, silos rarely fail in the hands. They fail in the hand-offs. To solve this, apply the Relationship Zoom Move (RDS Barbell): 1. pick the two silos 2. name/claim the relationship (make the bridge a thing) (RD) 3. zoom into the bridge’s parts (does it “own a stapler”?) (S) If the bridge were real, it would own things like: – Bridge FTE (0.10 each side… or an embassy-sized team) – Bridge scoreboard (shared KPIs) – Bridge decision rights – Bridge budget Bridge size should match silo size. No bridge parts = no bridge. Just finger-pointing across a gap. And if the bridge has no owner, “collaboration” is only theater. Which Sharpie-bridge is costing you the most right now? #STwST #SystemsThinkingStandardsInstitute #CabreraLabPodcast

Miseducating People About Systems Thinking: #2 — “Holistic” Every time I hear someone say that systems thinking is “holistic,” I cringe a little—not because I’m pedantic, but because I know how much that idea misleads people who are genuinely trying to learn. It sounds smart, scientific, even spiritual. But it’s nonsense. “Holistic” thinking is a comforting slogan, not a scientific one. It suggests there’s some ultimate “whole” we can grasp if only we zoom out far enough. But that’s not how the universe—or cognition—works. Every whole is also a part of a larger whole, which is itself part of something else. The part–whole structure repeats infinitely, from the subatomic to the cosmic. At the extreme ends of scale, the only true “holist” would be an astronomer studying the observable universe—around 10²⁷ meters across—and the only true “reductionist” would be a string theorist working near 10⁻³⁵ meters. Both are still studying parts within larger or smaller systems. Neither ever reaches an ultimate whole or an ultimate part. So when people say “think holistically,” what do they actually mean? Usually, “please stop over-reducing.” And that’s fair—we do need to zoom out. But we also need to zoom in. Systems thinking isn’t about rejecting reductionism for holism; it’s about navigating both. Parts and wholes are interchangeable. DSRP Theory predicts this and provides practical moves for developing that skill. Accepting “holistic” as the goal allows for lazy thought—as if there’s some vantage point where we can finally see the whole system. There isn’t. Holistic is meaningless because the universe is just parts and wholes nested all the way down—and up. Part of my ongoing series: “Miseducating People About Systems Thinking” — reflections on how popular ideas can drift from scientific reality, and what it takes to bring clarity back to the field. #SystemsThinking #STupidity #Complexity #AdaptiveSystems #ThinkingStructure #Metacognition

Everyone talks about systems thinking, but does anyone actually know what it is? In this episode, we dive into the messy reality behind the term, exposing why so many so-called “systems thinking” frameworks lack any real scientific backing. We discuss why most frameworks are nothing more than untested opinions, how academia has confused the public, and what real systems thinking actually looks like. This episode also pulls back the curtain on the peer review process, the difference between academia and real science, and why so many ideas get mistaken for empirical truth. If you’re tired of vague definitions, academic gatekeeping, and empty buzzwords, this episode will set the record straight. Prepare to challenge everything you thought you knew about systems thinking. youtu.be/hvFeAQ7u2BI #podcast #selfhelp #podcastclips #systemsthinking #thinking #success #smart #intelligence #academia #academic #science #scientist

Patterns reveal what words can’t. Spot them in your life, and you’ll start solving the right problems.

Want to become a better problem solver? We all have patterns of thinking that limit us, even if we can’t see them. Try to identify recurring patterns in your problems—there’s often a common thread. Recognizing your mental habits is the first step to mastering them.

Sometimes, being the ‘expert’ can get in the way. Try the beginner’s mindset—you’ll be surprised by what you learn.

Ever feel certain that you’re right… only to realize later you missed something big? Confidence is good, but certainty without humility can blind us. Approach every situation with “beginner’s eyes.” Ask yourself, “What haven’t I considered?” True wisdom comes from knowing there’s always more to learn.

Quick fixes feel good but rarely solve the real problem. Slow down, check your assumptions, and think.

Do you ever feel like your instincts are holding you back? Our brains crave quick answers, but quick isn’t always accurate. Next time you’re tempted to jump to a conclusion, take a breath and double-check your assumptions. Slowing down in your thinking can speed up your results in the long run.

Every problem’s a puzzle. Approach it as an unsolved mystery and you’ll see solutions others miss.

How would it feel to approach every problem as if it’s a new puzzle? Routine and familiarity can make us lazy thinkers, but curiosity can change that. When faced with a challenge, pause and ask, “What am I not seeing?” Every problem becomes more manageable when you approach it with fresh eyes.

We’re all biased—accept it, challenge it, improve. Simple as that.

Are you ready to see beyond your own biases? Bias isn’t easy to see in ourselves, but it shapes every decision we make. Challenge yourself to question assumptions and ask if there’s a bigger picture you’re missing. When you overcome bias, you open up to smarter, more objective choices.

Caught in the same pattern? Maybe it’s time to reframe. A small shift in perspective can lead to big change.

Tired of feeling stuck in the same patterns? Repeating the same mistakes feels frustrating, but it’s common when we’re stuck in old habits of thought. Try seeing each setback as a chance to question how you approach things. Small shifts in your perspective can break big patterns over time.

Complex problems rarely have simple causes. Look beyond the obvious and dig into the web of connections.

Have you ever noticed that life’s problems are rarely simple? It’s easy to want a single cause to blame. But life’s challenges come from complex webs, not single threads. Look beyond the obvious—problems are often a mix of many causes. The more you understand complexity, the better equipped you are to solve real problems.

Seeing things the way we want to see them is easy. Seeing them for what they are? That’s wisdom.

Do you ever make decisions based on what you want to be true? We all do it. Reality can be hard to face, so we often shape it to fit our comfort. Challenge yourself to ask, “What’s really happening?” instead of “What do I want to see?” When you see reality clearly, you can truly address it and grow.