The most powerful levers act at the assumption level, to change our underlying beliefs and values that inform the goals of the system; cultivating the soil from which to grow a new tree. We call the interventions to shift these assumptions inner levers, and they represent the inner, individual change of beliefs and values. While assumptions are a powerful leverage point, on a societal level they are very difficult to change as it requires collective shifts in assumptions from many individuals. Since the assumptions often represent the deepest held beliefs, values and understanding of the world around us, shifting these for large groups of people and whole systems takes a long time, requiring sustained effort and patience. Still, systems are made up of individuals, and changing our minds can happen in an instant. It only takes a shift in perspective, a new way of seeing, and the transformation has already happened.
