Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work

Chip Heath and Dan Heath, authors of Switch and Made to Stick, examine how to make better decisions in work and personal life. Research in psychology shows that decision-making is compromised by various biases and irrationalities: overconfidence, seeking information that confirms existing views while dismissing contradictory evidence, and distraction by short-term emotions. Awareness of these flaws alone does not solve the problem. Based on extensive study of decision-making literature, the Heaths present a four-step process designed to counteract these biases. The book uses examples ranging from a rock star's decision-making approach to a CEO's failed acquisition, along with practical strategies for resolving personal decisions. The book addresses how to stop endlessly second-guessing decisions, make group decisions without destructive politics, and recognize opportunities to change course. It offers strategies and practical tools for making better choices.