🎙 Episode Overview: 

When you're in a meeting discussing a complex problem, have you ever wondered how everyone can be looking at the same issue but seeing it completely differently? 

In this episode, we dive into systems mapping—a powerful visual tool that helps get your entire team on the same page. You'll learn how to use this approach to break down complex problems, create shared understanding, and move toward meaningful solutions together.

🔑 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How to use systems mapping to visualize relationships between different parts of your healthcare system—from staffing patterns to communication breakdowns
• Why creating a shared mental model is crucial for solving complex problems (and how systems mapping makes this possible)
• The key difference between systems mapping and workflow mapping, and when to use each
• A step-by-step approach to facilitate your first systems mapping session with your team

🧠 Key Ideas to Take With You:

• Systems mapping isn't about controlling the system—it's about understanding it so we can move with it more effectively
• The act of mapping together is often just as valuable as the final map itself
• You're already familiar with systems mapping through things like org charts and anatomy diagrams—now it's about applying this skill intentionally
• When diverse stakeholders map together, you get a more complete picture of what's really happening

🎧 How to Get the Most Out of This Episode

Take notes on the 4-step process for facilitating a systems mapping session. Think about a current challenge in your workplace that could benefit from getting everyone's perspective visually mapped out.

🛠️ Practical Actions You Can Take:

• Choose a specific problem or process in your unit that would benefit from shared understanding
• Gather your team and use sticky notes or a whiteboard to map out the current system together
• Ask "what might be happening?" instead of "what is happening?" to encourage more open discussion
• Use the bathtub analogy (inflows, stock, outflows) to analyze staffing or resource challenges

📣 Special Announcements:

Stay tuned for a special surprise in the next episode! Make sure you've collected all the secret code letters from the past few episodes. Collect this episode's secret code letters: "O F F"

👉 Call to Action:

• Share this episode
• Connect with Claire on Instagram @nursing.the.system to share your feedback
• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts
• Join my System Sunday email list for your weekly dose of strategy and sanity for nurses leading change in healthcare.

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📲 Links & Resources:

• Instagram
• Systems Sunday Newsletter