In a world where interconnectedness and complexity hold sway, systems thinking offers a disciplined approach to make sense of the world and find innovative solutions to problems. How can a disciplined systems thinking approach lead directly to the ability to innovate? It sounds like a contradiction. But the direct link between systems thinking and creative problem-solving is a strong one. This article links to stories where systems thinking was able to find innovative solutions to complex problems, as well as where not applying it ended with disastrous results. (Published Aug. 6, 2021)