3 Books That Teach You How To Think Like A Genius | Ep. 805

The Road Less Stupid is a business guide that emphasizes the need to minimize dumb decisions and maximize critical thinking. The book, written by Keith J. Cunningham, highlights the concept of 'dumb tax' – the financial and emotional costs of making poor business decisions. It advocates for regular 'Thinking Time' to reflect on business challenges, separate problems from symptoms, and make informed decisions. The book is structured with short chapters and reflective questions to help business owners improve their decision-making skills and avoid costly mistakes.

In this book, Ed Catmull shares insights on how to build and maintain a creative culture within an organization. Drawing from his experiences at Pixar, Catmull discusses the importance of open communication, risk-taking, and protecting the creative process. The book includes candid discussions, anecdotes about Pixar's film development, and lessons on managing innovation and creativity. It emphasizes the need for a nurturing work environment and the importance of storytelling in business.

This book introduces readers to systems thinking, a critical skill for 21st-century life. It explains how to understand and interact with complex systems, highlighting the importance of internal system structures and feedback loops. The book is divided into sections on system structures and behavior, the relationship between systems and humans, and strategies for creating change within systems. It aims to help readers develop a deeper understanding of systems to address global issues such as climate change, poverty, and social inequalities.