In this episode of Evolving Enterprises, Professor Martin Parr shares the personal journey that led him to create a systems thinking consulting practice. Frustrated by seeing great technologies gather dust on the shelf, Martin explains how systems thinking became the bridge between innovation and real-world adoption.

We explore how systems thinking is uniquely powerful at unblocking “stuck” situations — whether it’s organizations locked into bad contracts, governments trapped by shifting policies, or businesses chasing AI without knowing the problem they’re trying to solve. With examples ranging from failed big data projects in the early 2000s to defence recruitment challenges, Martin shows how systems thinking brings clarity, continuous improvement, and momentum where traditional approaches fail.

The episode also highlights Martin’s credibility: two decades applying systems thinking in government and business, building the UK’s first systems thinking apprenticeship at master’s level, and working alongside pioneers like Professor John Mingers. His practice doesn’t just consult, it trains staff in organisations to think differently and to use systems approaches to solve their own problems.

The big takeaway? Complexity doesn’t have to mean paralysis. With the right approach, it becomes the fuel for breakthroughs and lasting change.