As Wally Bock explains early in the show, he had to think a bit about books that might fit my topic suggestion of books about thinking. And yes, I admit it was a bit odd, however, there are some fabulous resources out there to help us do a better job of solving problems, changing behaviors, and generally being more effective in our work and lives. It turns out, Wally had some great choices, and I’m excited about mine as well.

Enjoy this fun, informative session and plan on adding a few great selections to your professional library!

Art's Signature

 

 

Show Highlights:

At the open, Art and Wally offer encouragement for reading books in the era of self-quarantine.

Why books on thinking? Wally has to think hard about whether he has read any books on thinking. (1:56)

After much thought, Wally figures out he’s read a number of books that deal with thinking. Art applauds Wally’s thinking on this dilemma! (2:45)

Wally jumps in with his first choice: Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip and Dan Heath (4:00) Check out Wally’s detailed review of Decisive. 

Wally highlights the W.R.A.P. theme from Decisive. (5:00)

Wally offers comforting words for accepting that most of what we think won’t work. (6:15)

We segue on the issue of research-backed books. (8:45)

Art introduces his first pick: Creating Great Choices: A Leader’s Guide to Integrative Thinking by Jennifer Riel and Roger L. Martin (10:00)

Wally connects Decisive to Creating Great Choices with a focus on the challenges we create with either/or type decisions. (11:40)

Art shares the Lego Movie example from Creating Great Choices to illustrate the concept of integrative thinking. (12:11)

Art shares why managers and leaders need to spend more time on learning to think. (14:10)

Art’s second choice is the newly released: What’s Your Problem: To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve by Thomas Wedell-Weddellsborg….a book on the power of reframing problems. (14:55)

Art quizzes Wally on the Slow Elevator Dilemma” and learns annoyingly that Wally already knows the answer. (16:10)

Why Art loves What’s Your Problem for managers, team leads, and anyone who has to think for a living. (It’s great for everyone!) (17:40)

Make What’s Your Problem and Creating Great Choices part of your management library…and lead-off with What’s Your Problem. (18:45)

Wally offers his second choice: Atomic Habits:An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear and shares why this book is both a great resource and a “well put together book.” (19:50) Check out Wally’s detailed review.

With 40,000 books on habits, “This is the best one.” High-praise from Wally Bock (21:42)

Wally offers a business book classic that fits the “thinking” theme: Creativity in Business (22:10). Check out Wally’s detailed review.

A caution, according to Wally: “If you are allergic to hippy-dippy thinking, you may not like this book.” (23:11)

Art’s only encounter with something that might resemble hippy-dippy thinking. (24:50)

Art’s third choice is Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono and offers that it is one of the best investments you can make in your professional career if you find yourself leading group discussions. (25:55)

Wally offers a blog choice for this thinking category: Farnam Street.

Wally caps us off with his usual thought-provoking comments. (29:00)

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