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Category: Book Executive Summaries

  • 10 Things I Learned from “Nudge” by Thaler and Sunstein

    10 Things I Learned from “Nudge” by Thaler and Sunstein

    Most weekends, my wife and I make it a point to write out a dinner menu, spend an hour shopping, and prep for some dinners in the upcoming week.

    It’s not the way we’d prefer to spend Sunday morning. It doesn’t matter. We know that having the menu ready and the food in the house is going to massively increase the chances that we will enjoy a home-cooked dinner.

    "Mmmmm, Burgers!" by m01229, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Restaurant food is always ready to please! “Mmmmm, Burgers!” by m01229, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    The ever-present alternative is restaurant food. I love restaurant food! It’s cooked, it’s salty and fatty and delicious, it’s exactly what I wanted, and I can get it brought right to my front door! (more…)

  • “Verbal Judo” and 10 Things You’ll Learn from George J. Thompson

    People hardly ever say what they mean. Most people are driven by emotions, especially in highly-charged circumstances. Their words reflect those emotions, even if they act otherwise.

    The kid (or coworker) that grumbles throughout a task — is still doing that task (even though she’s not framing it in a positive way).

    "Verbal Judo" teaches you to redirect verbal aggression as a Professional
    “Verbal Judo” teaches you to redirect verbal aggression as a Professional

    The spouse, during an argument, who throws out the incorrect idea that (more…)

  • 10 Things You’ll Learn in “Win Bigly” by Scott Adams

    Way back in 2012, my wife and I traveled by Amtrak train to Chicago to visit some friends. Between card games in the bar car and beautiful scenery out the window, I read a book about Negotiation.

    I was interested in making more money. I wasn’t sure how to ask or even if I was in the right profession. (more…)

  • 10 Things I Learned from “The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive” by Patrick Lencioni

    10 Things I Learned from “The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive” by Patrick Lencioni

    My interest in Persuasion and getting people moving, getting them working and improving, overlaps with business and leadership.

    I follow a number of successful entrepreneurs on Twitter. Many of them know that reality is flexible, that we create (and live by) our own limits.

    Image "Put your hands up in the air" by Thomas Leuthard, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Image “Put your hands up in the air” by Thomas Leuthard, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    Inspiring people to push past those self-inflicted limits is one view of Persuasion, and important for any self-starter like yourself.

    Another aspect of persuasion, especially in larger businesses, is change management. (more…)

  • 10 Things You’ll Learn from “The Appearance of Power” by Tanner Guzy

    I was in NYC a few weeks ago. The color of the season is Army Green. Everywhere you look in NYC, people are wearing Army Green.

    I don’t own much Army Green. I don’t like how I look in most shades of green. I tend to avoid green all together (except on Thursdays. Honestly.)

    Instead of Army Green in NYC, I wore a white collared shirt, a blue jacket, and grey slacks all weekend. I also had a grey sweater. I wanted to pack minimally and still look put together. I think I did alright. I wasn’t on-trend with that Army Green, which is something I try to avoid anyways.

    Maybe you’ve heard the term, “The Clothes Make The Man.” How we present ourselves packs an enormous visual punch. It sets an impression, for better or worse, every time someone sees you. (more…)

  • God’s Debris by Scott Adams
    Book Summary

    True, simplicity is not proof of truth. But since we can
    never understand true reality, if two models both explain the
    same facts, it is more rational to use the simpler one. It is a
    matter of convenience.

    "God's Debris" by Scott Adams
    “God’s Debris” by Scott Adams

    Scott Adams’ book God’s Debris introduces us, the reader and first-person narrator, to the world’s smartest person sitting in a rocking chair, Avatar.

    You (the narrator) and Avatar hold a wide-ranging conversation about God, religion, science, and probability.

    And it’s persuasive.

    Join us for a book summary on PRL!

    (more…)

  • Why I Don’t Have Free Will (and Neither Do You)

    You are free to make choices, but you have no freedom in the matter.

    Sam Harris presents this idea in his 2012 book, Free Will. Harris argues that we’re all products of our genes, our luck, and our experiences.

    Free Will is an Illusion.

    (more…)

  • The Secret: Thoughts Become Things

    “The Secret” is a documentary and book from 2006. The central premise is “The Law of Attraction,” which attracts what you think about the most.

    “Thoughts Become Things.” –Mike Dooley, dude from this movie

    Most people focus on their problems and the negatives in their lives. Whatever we think about becomes manifest. Whatever we focus on, the Law of Attraction will provide. It’s to our benefit to think positive thoughts.

    (more…)

  • Trump’s 1980s Deals:
    Wrapping up “The Art of the Deal”

    We’ve covered the main points in Trump’s The Art of the Deal over the last few months here on Persuasion Reading List. Among Trump’s more illustrated points for deal making and persuasion:

    • Always keep your options open
    • Cover your downside and improve it the best you can
    • Ask a lot of questions
    • Don’t rush a deal, but don’t delay the signing of final paperwork

    (more…)

  • Betting on the Boardwalk
    Six Trump Tactics for Deal Making

    In 1975, Trump hears of a casino worker strike at two Hilton hotels. When he learns that those two casino locations account for 40% of Hilton’s global profits, Trump decides to get in the casino business. (more…)