Derek Cabrera

If a system keeps producing the same result… it’s not broken. It’s working exactly as designed. In Episode #113 of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, we break down one of the most powerful ideas in systems thinking: The purpose of a system is what it does—not what it was intended to do. We explore: • Why outcomes—not intentions—define a system • How incentives, structures, and constraints drive behavior • Why blaming people misses the real problem • How changing structure—not effort—changes results If something keeps happening, there’s a structure producing it. Check it out: youtu.be/YRbNdhpcN8Y #SystemsThinking #MentalModels #Leadership #CabreraLabPodcast #DecisionMaking

Simple rules are crucial!

Simple and complex are two sides of the same coin.

It's just a lens!

Thank you for being part of the Cabrera Lab Podcast—we’re just getting started.

SWOT doesn't exist in nature.

Big life changes feel overwhelming… but not for the reason you think. In Episode #112 of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, we break down why major transitions—moving, marriage, kids, career shifts—feel so heavy. It’s not just the change itself. It’s how we mentally structure the change. We explain: • Why we conflate big changes into one giant mental cloud • How future projections make everything feel harder • Why breaking change into parts restores clarity and control • The truth: wherever you go, your mental models go with you The moment you separate the system, the overwhelm starts to shrink. Listen now: youtu.be/2zCJwJLkGbE #SystemsThinking #MentalModels #LifeChanges #CabreraLabPodcast #DecisionMaking

Align your mental models!

What if stress isn’t just emotional… but structural? In Episode #111 of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, we break down a powerful idea: Stress is a reaction to the mental model you’re using—not just the situation itself. We explore: -Why stress increases when you believe you can’t handle something -How anxiety comes from projecting those assumptions into the future -Why overwhelm often comes from bundling many problems into one -How curiosity helps untangle the thoughts driving fear Most of what feels overwhelming isn’t one big problem—it’s a system of smaller ones we haven’t separated yet. Listen now: youtu.be/BgSJbCzUmuQ #SystemsThinking #Stress #MentalModels #CabreraLabPodcast #SelfAwareness

Be adaptive!

Practice the six moves!

Practice!

Be aware of how you think!

Why do some people navigate complexity better than others? In Episode #110 of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, we explore the three biggest obstacles preventing people from developing systems thinking: 1️⃣ Reality bias — mistaking our mental models for reality 2️⃣ Confirmation bias — interpreting information to support what we already believe 3️⃣ Lack of deliberate practice in how we organize information The episode introduces powerful tools like the Love Reality Loop and the 6 Moves, showing how simple cognitive practices can dramatically improve how we understand complex situations. The core insight: Systems thinking isn’t about knowing more information—it’s about organizing information better. Listen now: youtu.be/YYUtIMVjRSQ #Leadership #SystemsThinking #DecisionMaking #MentalModels #Complexity

Be fast AND right!

It's two bad choices.

What do you think?

What does it mean to be right?

You don't have to be 100% right!

Most big life problems don’t appear suddenly. They build slowly—through small decisions, tiny mental models, and moments when we avoid seeing reality clearly. In Episode #109 of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, we explore how systems thinking helps you deal with realities you don’t want to face. Key ideas from the episode: -Loving reality means understanding it—not enjoying it -Many crises are the result of tiny ignored signals -Avoiding discomfort often creates bigger problems later -Small mental models can shape your entire life Listen now: youtu.be/D8dO5gO96JI #CabreraLabPodcast #SystemsThinking #MentalModels #SelfAwareness #LoveRealityLoop