Systems thinking as a cognitive skill

The conceptual lens of Holistic Flexibility can help deploy systems thinking as a cognitive skill. The following benefits can be accrued:

1. Flexibility can mean openness to challenging conventional paradigms, and different kinds of flexibility can be identified.
2. Flexible approaches can lead an intervention towards meaningful outcomes and that inflexibility stands the danger of leading projects to limited impact.
3. Systems thinking can compel a consultant to look beyond short-term (commercial, timeline, etc.) considerations, consider a range of dimensions for intervention design, adopt empowering approaches and be responsible for implementation and capability building.
4. Systems methodologies do not, always, need to be used directly; however, drawing from systems principles can make interventions holistic, values-centric, and sustainable.
5. Systems thinking can be deployed creatively to work across mainstream consultancy and systems concepts in a seamless manner.

Considering systems thinking as a cognitive skill also presents the possibility of leveraging alternative means of knowing in systemic methodologies such as metaphors, art, sculpture, and indigenous practices. However, such behaviors of a practitioner also bear a sense of responsibility and they need to understand the philosophical bases of systems thinking. 

Considering systems thinking as a cognitive skill also helps in pragmatizing the discipline that will make it more accessible to practitioners working outside traditional OR/MS research. Greater industry adoption of systems thinking will enable practitioners working in complex situations accrue the benefits of a systemic mindset.