# Upstream - Dan Heath Created: 2023_07_04 18:31 Tags: [[Book]] [[Society]] ![[Upstream vs Downstream.excalidraw.svg]] - Downstream actions *react* to problems once they’ve occurred. Upstream efforts aim to *prevent* those problems from happening at all. Upstream efforts look at the **systemic factors that influence problems**. - Organizations have a *natural tendency towards downstream thinking*. It's more tangible and is often rewarded. **Fighting the fire is valued over preventing the fire.** The key for leadership is to shift the focus to [[Upstream Thinking]]. Rewarding and supporting efforts that prevent problems. Even if they are not as tangible or easier to reward. - There are **three barriers that block effective [[Upstream Thinking|upstream thinking]]**: I don’t see the problem; It's not mine to fix; I can't deal with that right now. Leaders need to be aware of these barriers and adjust the systemic factors that contribute to them. Make [[Upstream Thinking]] the natural, default behavior. > When you spend years responding to problems, you can sometimes overlook the fact that you could be preventing them. > A telltale sign of upstream work is that it involves systems thinking. ## The river You and a friend are having a picnic by the side of a river. Suddenly you hear a shout from the direction of the water—a child is drowning. Without thinking, you both dive in, grab the child, and swim to shore. Before you can recover, you hear another child cry for help. You and your friend jump back in the river to rescue her as well. Then another struggling child drifts into sight … and another … and another. The two of you can barely keep up. Suddenly, you see your friend wading out of the water, seeming to leave you alone. “Where are you going?” you demand. Your friend answers, “I’m going upstream to tackle the guy who’s throwing all these kids in the water.” ## 3 barriers - I don’t see the problem (Or, This problem is inevitable.) - [[Problem Blindness]] - That’s not mine to fix. - Lack of Ownership - I can’t deal with that right now. - [[Tunneling]] ## References - https://www.tobysinclair.com/post/book-summary-upstream-by-dan-heath-how-to-solve-problems-with-systems-thinking - [[Upstream Thinking]] - [[Systems Thinking]] - [[Problem Blindness]] - [[Tunneling]]