We invite people around the world to learn, experience and work with Systems Thinking.
Systems Thinking - International
A practical introduction to systems thinking for leaders working with teams and organizations.
Three session-workshop available
September 10 • October 1 • October 22, 2026
When collaboration gets stuck
Many organizations recognize patterns like these:
✓ discussions that go in circles
✓ tensions between teams that keep returning
✓ decisions that keep getting delayed
✓ frustration about “how others behave”
✓ leaders feeling they must fix everything themselves
The first reaction is often to try changing individuals
People tend to analyze personalities, behaviors or communication styles, hoping that if people change, the situation will improve.
Often the challenge is not caused by individuals
What appears to be an individual issue, is actually driven by dynamics embedded in the system itself.
Systems Thinking invites us to look somewhere else
Not only inside people, but also between and around them—at interaction patterns and how the context is organized, from goals and formal structures to unwritten rules, unclear roles and unspoken expectations. When we see these forces more clearly, new possibilities for leadership, intervention and collaboration emerge.
Introduction to Systems Thinking
For the first time – online pilot (played by 5000+ people worldwide)
Developed in the Netherlands
About the workshop
This three session-workshop offers a practical introduction to Systems Thinking.
But it’s not a typical workshop.
You will engage in an interactive card and video-based experience built around a real organizational case and uncover how problems truly emerge and evolve within a system.
Instead of jumping to solutions, you’ll learn to step back, see the bigger picture, and decide what to change with clarity.
The journey
Session 1: Introduction & Patterns
Session 2: Relationship Networks & Vital Systems
Session 3: Intention-Behaviour-Effect & Interventions
What happens:
✓ Observing and reflecting on a real case
✓ Learning key ideas of Systems Thinking
✓ Applying these insights to real organizational questions
Participants leave with:
✓ A new way to understand collaboration challenges
✓ Practical insights for leadership interventions
✓ Fresh perspectives on their own organization
Who is this workshop for?
✓ Leaders and managers
✓ HR and people development professionals
✓ Consultants and facilitators
✓ Entrepreneurs and founders
*No previous knowledge of Systems Thinking is required.
Workshop details
Three session workshop
September 10, 2026
October 1, 2026
October 22, 2026
(2.5 hours each)
Time will be determined with participants
Format & Schedule
✓ Online (Microsoft Teams)
✓ Interactive workshop
✓ English
✓ Small group (max 8 persons)
✓ Participation is free in exchange for active participation and feedback
The workshop is facilitated by:
Martin Smeets
(De Ploeg, The Netherlands)
Lead Facilitator · LinkedInMartin Smeets is an organizational consultant and systems thinking facilitator who supports leaders and teams in understanding the deeper dynamics shaping their organizations.
With a pragmatic and grounded approach, he quickly senses what is happening within groups and helps teams explore patterns in collaboration, decision-making and leadership. Working closely alongside leaders, he creates space for reflection while also encouraging concrete steps forward.
Martin combines empathy with sharpness in his facilitation. People feel seen and taken seriously, while he also challenges them to look beyond familiar explanations and discover new possibilities for change.
Mirian López
(Guatemala)
Co-facilitator · LinkedInMirian López works with leadership development and organizational collaboration across Latin America and internationally.
Throughout her career she has supported organizations in complex environments, building partnerships, coordinating initiatives and helping teams navigate change, while developing a strong understanding of organizational dynamics in Latin American contexts.
During the workshop she supports the facilitation by helping connect systemic insights to participants’ realities and by providing Spanish clarification and discussion support when needed.
How we support organizations
Beyond the workshop, we support organizations in several ways.
Workshops & Trainings
Learning experiences where teams explore collaboration, leadership and organizational dynamics through systemic perspectives.
Consultation
Supporting organizations facing complex challenges in collaboration, leadership and organizational change.
Leadership Development
Helping leaders develop the awareness needed to work with complex collaboration dynamics in organizations.
Workshops & Trainings
Understand what drives your team dynamics - and how to act on it.
When collaboration gets difficult, we often focus on individuals. In reality, it’s the patterns in the system that keep problems alive. These workshops help you to step back, recognize those patterns, and understand what’s actually driving behavior.
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Recurring conflicts that don’t resolve
Slow or difficult collaboration
Unclear roles and expectations
Decisions that don’t stick
High effort with limited results
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How the system shapes behavior
How to recognize patterns in teams
How to step back and see the bigger picture
How to choose the right intervention
How to move from blame to shared responsibility
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Practical and case-based (your reality is the starting point)
Interactive video and card based games with direct application
Focus on patterns and relationships, not individuals
Simple tools you can use immediately
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Founders & directors
HR & people leads
Project leaders
People working in complex environments
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Open workshops (starting October 29)
In-company trainings
Online or in-person
Half-day to multi-day
Want to join or organize a workshop? Book a call to explore options.
Consultation
When teams are stuck, look at the system.
Most team problems don’t come from individuals. They come from how the system is set up - and the patterns that keep repeating. We help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface, and create focused shifts that improve how people work together.
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Tension between people, teams, departments or organizations
Conflicts that keep repeating
Low trust or lack of ownership
Unclear roles and decision-making
High effort with limited results
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Map the full collaboration challenge
Reveal patterns in how people interact
Clarify roles, expectations and conflicting interests
Surface hidden dynamics and unintended effects
Identify where interventions will have the most impact
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Short intake
System scan
Focused team sessions
Practical experiments in daily work
Follow-up and integration support
Optional leadership coaching
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Leadership teams
Project teams
Cross-functional teams
Growing organizations
Organizations in transition
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System scan only
Multi-session trajectories
On-site or remote
Optional leadership integration
Want to understand what’s happening in your team? Book a call to explore a first step.
Leadership Development
Lead with clarity in complex environments.
Leadership becomes heavy when you feel responsible for everything. Often without realizing how your own role reinforces the patterns you’re trying to solve. We help you understand your position in the system - so you can lead with more clarity, calm and impact.
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Recurring team or people issues
Unclear boundaries and expectations
Difficult decisions in complex environments
Being stuck in the middle of conflicts
Stepping in too much - or too late
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Awareness of the system you’re part of
Clarity in your role and position
Ability to influence behavior through the system
Insight into team patterns
Confidence to intervene - or not
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Personal intake and leadership scan
1-on-1 coaching sessions
Reflection combined with real-life application
Optional integration with your team
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Founders & directors
Managers & team leads
HR roles
Project leaders
Professionals in complex environments
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1-on-1 coaching trajectories
Leadership programs
Small group sessions
Want to strengthen your leadership impact? Book a call to explore what fits your situation.
We work for and with
What Leaders Say
“Martin brings a refreshing perspective to leadership teams. He helps teams see the deeper patterns in their collaboration, translate insights into concrete action and creates an atmosphere where even difficult topics become discussable.”
— Mark Donderwinkel, Managing Director,
Thales Netherlands“From the first conversation, Martin created trust and clarity. He supported our teams in understanding how their behavior impacts the wider system, which led to more ownership, alignment, and energy in the collaboration.
He combines strong connection with a clear, independent view on underlying dynamics, which makes his work both impactful and sustainable.”
— Marielle van Duinen, Manager Facility Management, Delft University of Technology“Martin helped several teams within Postillion Hotels strengthen their collaboration and now contributes to our leadership program. He has a rare ability to help people see their own influence in the system and take true ownership.”
— Erik-Jan Ginjaar, CEO, Postillion HotelsGet in Touch
Whether you have a question, an idea, or would like to reserve a place in the workshop, feel free to reach out - we’d be happy to hear from you.
Over 5,000 people have experienced this game in workshops and leadership programs around the world. This is the first time we're bringing it online, which is why we're running it as a pilot.
The pilot consists of 3 interactive online sessions of each 2,5 hours (Sept 10, Oct 1 and Oct 22), using videos, game cards and real-life cases. Participation is free in exchange for active participation and feedback afterwards.