The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 682 | Malcolm Gladwell Deconstructs His Writing Process and Habits, Shares His Theory on How to Reach People in a Crowded World, and Explains the Revenge of the Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell, a New York Times bestselling author known for his profound insights and storytelling, dives into his writing process and the impact of storytelling today. He revisits the themes of 'The Tipping Point,' discussing how digital evolution has shifted narrative techniques. Gladwell explores the concept of 'super spreaders' in spreading ideas and the ethical responsibilities of leaders. He reflects on balancing optimism and cynicism while emphasizing the correlation between culture and ethical behavior in leadership.
01:25:35
Evolution of Storytelling
Gladwell's writing has evolved to prioritize storytelling over data. He now uses stories to establish credibility, then supports claims with key evidence.
The Power of Storytelling
People's attention spans are not shrinking, but the bar for engagement has risen. Great storytelling remains captivating, as evidenced by phenomena like Harry Potter.
Iterative Writing Process
- Write iteratively, adding new material as you learn, rather than completing all research upfront.
- Start chapters small and let them evolve organically during the writing process.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
The Evolution of Storytelling
03:52 • 15min
The Art of Iterative Storytelling
18:50 • 23min
The Viral Spread of Ideas
41:30 • 12min
The Ethical Dimensions of Leadership Influence
53:12 • 4min
Cultural Impact on Ethics and Behavior
57:09 • 8min
Navigating Optimism and Flexibility in a Changing World
01:05:31 • 17min
Reflecting on Storytelling and Future Endeavors
01:22:30 • 3min
Blink
The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'Blink', Malcolm Gladwell explores the concept of 'thin-slicing', the ability of our unconscious mind to make rapid decisions based on limited information.
The book delves into both the strengths and pitfalls of this process, using examples from various fields such as psychology, medicine, sales, and law enforcement.
Gladwell discusses how these snap judgments can be both incredibly accurate and sometimes tragically wrong, influenced by factors like prejudice, stereotypes, and psychological priming.
He also examines how experts develop their intuitive judgment through experience and training, and how stressful situations can affect our decision-making abilities.
Outliers
The Story of Success
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success.
He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck.
The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role.
Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success.
The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.
What The Dog Saw
And Other Adventures
Malcolm Gladwell
This book is a compilation of Malcolm Gladwell's articles from The New Yorker, categorized into three parts.
The first part, 'Obsessives, Pioneers, and other varieties of Minor Genius', focuses on individuals who excel in their fields but are not widely known.
The second part, 'Theories, Predictions, and Diagnoses', delves into issues of prediction, including intelligence failures and the Enron scandal.
The third part, 'Personality, Character, and Intelligence', discusses psychological and sociological topics such as criminal profiling, homelessness, and the differences between panicking and choking under pressure.
Gladwell's essays offer insightful analyses and unique perspectives on a wide range of subjects.
Talking to Strangers
What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'Talking to Strangers', Malcolm Gladwell delves into the challenges and misunderstandings that occur when we interact with people we do not know.
The book explores various high-profile cases, such as the death of Sandra Bland, the deceptions of Bernie Madoff, and the interactions between Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler.
Gladwell argues that our default assumption to trust strangers until proven otherwise often leads to disastrous outcomes.
He discusses the 'default to truth' theory and how our perceptions of strangers can be skewed by preconceived notions and stereotypes.
The book provides insights into human psychology and communication, highlighting the importance of being aware of our assumptions when dealing with strangers.
David and Goliath
Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'David and Goliath', Malcolm Gladwell challenges conventional wisdom about obstacles and disadvantages.
He uses the biblical story of David and Goliath as a starting point to explore various cases where underdogs have triumphed over more powerful opponents.
The book delves into topics such as the benefits of 'desirable difficulties', the impact of dyslexia on successful individuals, and the dynamics of successful and unsuccessful strategies in different contexts, including warfare, education, and social movements.
Gladwell argues that what appears to be a weakness can often be a strength, and that too much power or advantage can sometimes be counterproductive.
Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K.
Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard.
The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
The Tipping Point
How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Malcolm Gladwell
In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell examines the phenomenon of social epidemics and how ideas, products, and behaviors spread rapidly.
He introduces three key principles: the law of the few (the role of connectors, mavens, and salespeople in spreading ideas), the stickiness factor (how messages or trends must be memorable to spread), and the power of context (how environment and circumstances influence human behavior).
Gladwell uses various examples, such as the rise in popularity of Hush Puppies shoes, the decline in New York City's crime rate, and the success of children's TV programs like Sesame Street, to illustrate these concepts.
The book provides insights into how small changes can lead to large-scale social and behavioral transformations.
The Bomber Mafia
A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War
Malcolm Gladwell
The Bomber Mafia delves into the story of a group of American military officers who developed a doctrine of daylight strategic bombing aimed at minimizing casualties through precision high-altitude aerial bombardment.
The book contrasts the idealistic strategies of the 'Bomber Mafia,' led by General Haywood Hansell, with the brutal pragmatism of General Curtis LeMay, who implemented scorched-earth tactics in Japan using napalm.
Gladwell examines the moral challenges and consequences of these strategies, including the devastating firebombing of Tokyo and the broader implications for modern warfare.
The book also explores the technological and historical context of these events and poses questions about the morality and effectiveness of different military approaches.
Miracle and Wonder
Conversations with Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Malcolm Gladwell
Bruce Headlam
Miracle and Wonder is an audio biography that delves into Paul Simon's life and music through extensive conversations with Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam.
The audiobook includes archival audio tracks and live performances, offering insights into Simon's creative process and the stories behind his iconic songs.
It also features reflections from other artists like Sting and Herbie Hancock, providing a comprehensive look at Simon's enduring legacy.
Malcolm Gladwell, New York Times Bestselling Author, returns to the podcast and deconstructs his writing process and habits. Malcolm shares how to reach people in a crowded world and explains why he revisited The Tipping Point and took on a new work about the Revenge of the Tipping Point.
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