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Is that really what second order thinking is? I wanted to see some examples of successfully thinking through consequences of consequences, but the examples seem

Is that really what second order thinking is? I wanted to see some examples of successfully thinking through consequences of consequences, but the examples seem to be only going one level deep. For example in the CFO in a startup example, I would think that old employees jumping ship when snacks are made paid is a first-order impact - just that the CFO did not think through all possible connotations. I would think second order thinking would be thinking about what is the impact of the savings itself, and realizing that it might not be worth it.

sokoloff 7y ago
From the CFO’s perspective, the cost-savings is the first-order impact. Then unhappiness and possible attrition is a second-order impact. Side story: Was at a place a long time ago where free soft drinks were made no longer available. First day of the new policy, email to all staff announcing the change. An hour later, one of the stronger engineers sends an email to all local staff announcing he’s thirsty and going to the supermarket to buy some soft drinks. Invites all engineers along in case anyone else is thirsty. Several respond (on thread) that they are also thirsty. About 90 minutes later, emailed status report of the successful 5-person mission to the supermarket is sent and proposing a rotating schedule of supermarket trips. The next day, email announcing the return of free soft drinks is read by all. :)