➗ Change the Equation

Systems Thinking, Explained — Plus, Highlights from #NYTechWeek

Author

Katie Perry
June 05, 2025

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The Big Story: Why Systems Thinking Works

I’ve been thinking a lot about algebra lately. Stay with me a second…

I would consider myself a “words” person. Still, I always enjoyed math, if only for the simple fact that you can manipulate one part of an equation, change a variable, and get a completely different result.

Life is complex, with endless variables. So often, we get stuck obsessing over one part of our life’s equation — our job title, our schedule, a difficult project, a bad habit — thinking that the only way to fix the outcome is by fixing that one variable. But what if, instead, the solution was to change a different part of the equation?

This idea of stepping back and looking at the full system, rather than trying to brute-force one stubborn part of it has a name: systems thinking. Turns out, it’s a whole field of research with decades of study behind it.

Systems thinking is a way of viewing problems not as isolated issues, but as part of an interconnected system. It forces us to look at how the parts relate to one another: how they create feedback loops, how changing one thing affects everything else, and how small, strategic changes can create disproportionate impact.

Peter Senge popularized the term in The Fifth Discipline, where he wrote that a system’s structure, not just its individual components, is what largely determines its behavior.

Moreover, cognitive scientists George Lakoff and Mark Johnson have done extensive work on conceptual metaphors, arguing that the metaphors we use provide a framework for how we think. If you see life as a battle, you’re going to walk into every room ready to fight. If you see life as a journey, you’ll be more comfortable with detours and slow stretches along the way.

Framing life as an equation inherently gives you agency. It invites you to identify your inputs (habits, time, people, and priorities) and ask: what am I trying to solve for? And which variable is the easiest for me to control right now?

Let’s say you’re miserable at work. You assume the only fix is to quit. But quitting might not be the only variable you can adjust. Maybe the problem isn’t the work itself but your manager (this is almost always the case). Or your commute. Or your hours. Or a lack of clarity from leadership.

Have you ever (unsuccessfully) tried to fix a dynamic with someone in your life by changing how you show up? Eventually, you realize you're solving for the wrong variable. The issue isn’t how you're engaging, it’s the fact that you’re still engaging. Subtract them from the equation, and the outcome changes.

Systems thinking invites you to step back and assess the whole equation. What’s the outcome you’re trying to reach? And what kind of action does it require? Do you need to add something: support, structure, boundaries? Do you need to subtract something: obligations, noise, people? Do you need to multiply the parts that are already working?

This kind of thinking is how the most high-performing companies are designed and managed because it creates the space needed to make rational decisions. Revenue is down. Is the move to panic and fire the sales team? Or do you ask: are the sellers being given qualified leads? Is the marketing program aligned? Does the product suck?!

Organizational experts will apply systems thinking to solve issues like low morale, slow innovation, or poor communication. Instead of blaming individuals, they look at how incentives, feedback loops, and team structures might be influencing behavior.

I like systems thinking because it offers a more proactive pathway to navigating conflict. Instead of fixating on what’s “wrong” with one piece, you ask what kind of structure might produce better outcomes overall.

It also forces us to look beyond the obvious. Sometimes, the variable that seems most broken is just the one that’s easiest to blame. But often, it’s not the fulcrum point. The most efficient change might be something else entirely.

So, next time you’re feeling stuck and you’re banging your head against one immovable part of the equation, try zooming out. What are the other variables? Which ones are more changeable? Which ones are underutilized?

The equation isn’t fixed. You can rewrite it. And sometimes, the solution isn’t to push harder on the variable that’s not moving; it’s to pick a different one.

Highlights from New York Tech Week So Far

It’s Tech Week in NYC, hosted by A16Z, and the energy is high. Panels. Parties. People trying to sell you on questionable business ideas with seemingly no product market fit.

Jokes aside, I love weeks like this because I can almost feel my brain expanding. Here are a few highlights:

  • I joined a panel about using AI to accelerate startup marketing. The big takeaway: Unlocking marketing efficiencies with AI requires time investment. Custom tools and workflows take significant effort upfront. I’ve personally spent hours (days?) building out systems so I can scale them. One hack I’ve been using: creating a robust source-of-truth doc that includes things like messaging, product, tone of voice, and FAQs. This is your brand’s “brain” and it should accompany every single prompt.

  • I grabbed coffee with a fascinating supply chain company that’s using AI to help beauty and CPG brands launch new products faster. More to come there — I'll be speaking at an event they’re producing next week.

  • I stopped by a comms mixer at the new(ish) Axel Springer Haus in Soho, which happens to come with a private garden. Then, I hit up Andrew Yeung’s VIP founder party (shoutout to Rho and my clients at Agree for sponsoring), where I ran into some past collaborators and interesting founders.

  • Agree.com was featured on a Times Square billboard!

Last night, I took a breather from the festivities and caught Post Malone at Citi Field. Fun fact: Posty is a fellow Syracuse, New York native and all-around stellar individual. At some point, I’ll have to write a separate piece on the aura that is Post Malone because he combines all the elements of what it’s like to be from a decaying DMA that doubles as the snow capital of the world: the grittiness, the attitude, the fun … and yes, the face tattoos.

Immaculate vibes

Now Here’s a Chart

Nvidia is partnering with companies in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing to expand AI use, while advancing data center innovation, energy-efficient infrastructure, and automation. They’re also investing in synthetic data, video AI tools, and quantum cybersecurity. Here’s a look at just some of the companies that partner, collaborate with, or otherwise plug into NVDA’s growing AI ecosystem.

Reading List

Tuesday Thursday Saturday is written by Katie Perry, owner of Ursa Major Media, which provides fractional marketing services and strategy in software, tech, consumer products, professional services, and other industries. She is also the co-host of Stocktwits’ Daily Rip Live show.

Disclaimer: The contents here reflect recaps and summaries of pre-reported or published data, news, and trends. I have cited sources and context for the information provided to the best of my ability. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform and educate on larger trends shaping business and culture — this is NOT investment advice. As an investor, you should always do your own research before making any decisions about your money or your portfolio.