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The Opposable Mind
224 pages, 2007
If you want to be as successful as Jack Welch, Larry Bossidy, or Michael Dell, read their autobiographical advice books, right? Wrong, says Roger Martin in The Opposable Mind.
Though following best practices can help in some ways, it also poses a danger: By emulating what a great leader did in a particular situation, you'll likely be terribly disappointed with your results. Why? Your situation is different. Instead of focusing on what exceptional leaders do, we need to understand and emulate how they think.
Successful businesspeople engage in what Martin calls integrative thinking, creatively resolving the tension in opposing models by forming entirely new and superior ones. Drawing on stories of leaders as diverse as AG Lafley of Procter & Gamble, Meg Whitman of eBay, Victoria Hale of the Institute for One World Health, and Nandan Nilekani of Infosys, Martin shows how integrative thinkers are relentlessly diagnosing and synthesizing by asking probing questions including What are the causal relationships at work here? And What are the implied trade-offs?
Martin also presents a model for strengthening your integrative thinking skills by drawing on different kinds of knowledge, including conceptual and experiential knowledge. Integrative thinking can be learned, and The Opposable Mind helps you master this vital skill.
In The Opposable Mind, Roger L. Martin introduces the concept of integrative thinking. He suggests that successful individuals don't simply choose between two opposing models. Instead, they create a new model that combines the best elements of both. This is a powerful tool that can help you solve complex problems and make better decisions.
Martin emphasizes the importance of empathy in decision-making. By understanding and appreciating different perspectives, you can create more effective solutions. So, next time you're faced with a tough decision, try to see things from all angles. It might just lead you to a breakthrough.
The Opposable Mind encourages readers to take a step back and reflect on their thought processes. By understanding how you think, you can identify areas for improvement and develop more effective strategies. So, take some time to explore your own mind. You might be surprised by what you find.
In his book, Martin highlights the importance of resilience. Even when faced with failure, successful individuals don't give up. Instead, they learn from their mistakes and keep going. So, next time you face a setback, remember to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
The Opposable Mind isn't just about making decisions. It's also about being creative. Martin argues that by thinking differently, you can come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. So, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Your next great idea could be just around the corner.
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Roger Martin's 'The Opposable Mind' is a breakthrough book that will change how we think about thinking.
Daniel Pink - Bestselling AuthorRoger Martin's 'The Opposable Mind' is a fascinating exploration of the power of integrative thinking.
Malcolm Gladwell - Journalist, AuthorRecommendations
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