"Upstream"

Original, inspiring, and insightful - The Heath Brothers never disappoint.

Summary:

Expanding on the old parable of downstream reactions vs upstream preventions, Dan Heath explains the actions individuals and companies can take to prevent problems before they happen. He begins by detailing the three obstacles to this type of problem-solving and then delves into the seven considerations in taking that preventative action without countless examples and research along the way.

Verdict: 9/10

I don't read business books often, but when I do, I read Chip and Dan Heath. We had one of their books as required reading for my communications class in college. Ever since then, I've picked up their writing whenever I can.

Where other texts come off as textbookish, Upstream (like others that I've read from them) is almost completely anecdotal. Dan Heath gathers stories and examples across a wide variety of industries, from carpet manufacturers adopting recycling or a mom inventing a doll for military families to cops protecting women from abusive spouses or schools lowering the drop-out rate. And he makes each story relatable in how people deal with problems and solutions. He turns research into rhetoric and narrative.

I've already used quite a few of his analogies in my everyday life (the Cobra Problem and the Prophet's Dilemma are among my personal favorites to reference). Heath has a way of offering advice that one could apply to their company or their own individual life as well. Even something as simple as identifying ways to correct bad habits before they start has greatly affected my morning routine, my work life, and my relationships.

The methods the author proposes take ingenuity and hard work, but they're sure to help you escape those cyclical reactions to problems. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get ahead of their own problems.