Decisive

How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work

By: Chip Heath, Dan Heath

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Chip and Dan Heath, the best-selling authors of Switch and Made to Stick, tackle one of the most critical topics in our work and personal lives: how to make better decisions.

Research in psychology has revealed that our decisions are disrupted by an array of biases and irrationalities: We’re overconfident. We seek out information that supports us and downplay information that doesn’t. We get distracted by short-term emotions. When it comes to making choices, it seems, our brains are flawed instruments. Unfortunately, merely being aware of these shortcomings doesn’t fix the problem, any more than knowing that we are nearsighted helps us to see. The real question is: How can we do better?

In Decisive, the Heaths, based on an exhaustive study of the decision-making literature, introduce a four-step process designed to counteract these biases. Written in an engaging and compulsively listenable style, Decisive takes readers on an unforgettable journey, from a rock star’s ingenious decision-making trick to a CEO’s disastrous acquisition, to a single question that can often resolve thorny personal decisions.

Along the way, we learn the answers to critical questions such as these: How can we stop the cycle of agonizing over our decisions? How can we make group decisions without destructive politics? And how can we ensure that we don’t overlook precious opportunities to change our course?

Decisive is the Heath brothers’ most powerful - and important - book yet, offering fresh strategies and practical tools enabling us to make better choices. Because the right decision, at the right moment, can make all the difference.

©2013 Chip Heath and Dan Heath (P)2013 Random House Audio

Lacks good structure

I think the book could have been better written. The solutions were made to fit the acronym WRAP (widen the options, reality test your assumptions, attain some distance, and prepare to be wrong). However, the book provides stories of good decisions and bad decisions that didn't fit neatly into one of those four steps. It is a good read for learning how to make better decisions. Unfortunately, it just wasn't structured well. It didn't have a good outline of the various approaches to good decision-making, which would have helped the listener in retaining the information.

applications of this book endless

Thouroughly enjoyed the pace of this insightuful book. I can think of ways I will be referencing ideas I learned here in the context of my personal life, my career and software development.

Favorite Heath bro.s book

The Heath brothers just keep getting better. Now if I could just remember everything I've learned from their books…

Wow.

I heard about this book several years ago and wished I would have caught it then. I probably could have avoided a couple of bad decisions. The Heath‘s’ wisdom was spot on. No nonsense approach and very applicable. I agree – the WRAP model is not always applicable, but more times than not, it is. The time to process is so worth it. Great reading. I’ve recommended it to other managers in my industry.

wonderful read- easy to swallow and apply

real world examples of how to make great decisions. I recommend it to anyone

Fluff

This was brutal to listen to. Some good content but so much fluff. Like a speaker that just enjoys his own voice too much

Should Have Been a Pamphlet

Entirely too long! Redundant. Lacking oommph given length. There were good points but followed the formula of far too many mediocre business book: state a hypothesis, state a bunch of supportive anecdotes (many apparently borrowed from other formulaic mediocre business books). Grab the "WRAP" PDF off of their website and give yourself back 8 hrs. of your life.

Great Strategies to make and Guide Decisions!

This book is full of strategies and tools to help you make, and to lead others to make better decisions. The WRAP process is simple and can be applied to any complex decision from your personal or professional life. As usual, the Heath Brothers provide relatable, evidence based stories, from Zappos to teen dating to patient care, to help bring their insights to life. Kaleo Griffith delivers the work well and is clearly engaged with the topics.

My favorite tools from the book were "10/10/10", the "best friend" question, the "successors" question and the "book ending" ideas. I actually found so many applicable ideas that I bought the physical book, so I can reference it later.

Take your decision making skills advanced levels.

The WRAP method gives one well thought out and tested mdthods to improve decision making skills. Stories with examples of how thase methods have been used by others keeps the listener's interest and attention.

Great book, highly recommended

This was a great book. I highly recommend it. It offers sound advice that I have already used with success in my profession.