The AI team take a deep dive into Barry Richmond's The 'Thinking' in Systems Thinking which introduces seven essential skills for effective systems thinking. The text explains these skills—Dynamic Thinking, System-as-Cause Thinking, Forest Thinking, Operational Thinking, Closed-Loop Thinking, Quantitative Thinking, and Scientific Thinking—providing detailed definitions and examples of each.

It emphasizes the interconnectedness of these skills and their application in building and using models to understand complex systems. The book advocates for a holistic approach, moving beyond simplistic cause-and-effect thinking to grasp dynamic interactions and feedback loops. It stresses the importance of rigorous model testing and validation for making informed decisions.