Open to Think: Slow Down, Think Creatively and Make Better Decisions

by Dan Pontefract

Overview

While it may not occur to us on a daily basis, there is a widespread cultural tendency toward quick decisions and quick action. This pattern has resulted in many of our society's greatest successes, but even more of its failures. Though the root cause is by no means malicious, we have begun to reward speed over quality, and the negative effects suffered in both our personal and professional lives are potentially catastrophic. Best-selling author and Chief Envisioner Dan Pontefract offers the solution to this predicament with what he coins "Open Thinking," a cyclical process in which creativity is encouraged, critiquing leads to better decisions, and thoughtful action delivers positive, sustainable results. He proposes a return to balance between the three components of productive thought: dreaming, deciding, and doing. Based on organizational and societal data, academic research, historical studies, and a wide range of interviews, Open to Think is an appeal for a world of better thinking. Pontefract introduces tangible, actionable strategies to improve the way we think as organizations and individuals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781773270272
Publisher:	Figure 1 Publishing
Publication date:	09/11/2018
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Dan is the founder and CEO of The Pontefract Group, a firm that improves the state of leadership and organizational culture.



He is the best-selling author of three books: OPEN TO THINK, THE PURPOSE EFFECT and FLAT ARMY. A renowned speaker, Dan has presented at four different TED events and also writes for Forbes, Harvard Business Review and The Huffington Post. Dan is an adjunct professor at the Universityof Victoria, Gustavson School of Business and has garnered more than 20 industry awards over his career.

Previously as Chief Envisioner and Chief Learning Officer at TELUS—a Canadian telecommunications company with revenues of $14 billion and 50,000 global employees—he launched the Transformation Office, the TELUS MBA, and the TELUS Leadership Philosophy, all award winning initiatives that dramatically helped to increase the company’s employee engagement to record levels of nearly 90%. Prior to TELUS he held senior roles at SAP, Business Objects and BCIT.



Dan and his wife, Denise, have three children (aka goats) and live in Victoria, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

I Thinking

1 Cogito Ergo Sum 5

II Creative thinking

2 At the Lonely End of the Think 41

3 Come to Think of It 65

III Critical thinking

4 Think Hole 93

5 Great Minds Don't Think Alike 117

IV Applied thinking

6 Sooner Than You Think 149

7 You Have Another Think Coming 173

V Open thinking

8 Think Again 205

Afterword 229

Ten Essential Guidelines for Open Thinking 232

References 235

Index 249

About the Author 257

Editorial Reviews

With this book you can reshape your thinking to eliminate bad habits and strengthen your mind for the challenges of today’s business world.” Daniel H. Pink, author of When and Drive “We think we know how to think. And you do, kinda. But, as you’ll see, you’re mostly a high-performing amateur. Why not up your game and ‘go pro’? Combining solid research and practical tools, Open to Think will get you thinking better. And that means acting smarter.” Michael Bungay Stanier, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Coaching Habit

From the Publisher