Andy Cohen (2)

This book addresses an important subject—how our assumptions create our reality. The author, Andy Cohen, explains how assumptions influence our everyday interactions and business dealings. The book is written for a popular audience and foregoes extensive notes and reference to research. Cohen uses anecdotes to make his points. The book is an adequate introduction to the subject of assumptions but gets at only the surface of how assumptions control our thinking and actions. Cohen does not show more address how organizational and societal cultures permeate our thinking at deep levels. Cohen’s advice provides general methods for identifying and dealing with our assumptions but does not get to the depth necessary for identifying the underlying assumptions that permeate our joint world. And his attempt to coin a new word—“Assumpt!”—comes across as an annoying and unhelpful gimmick to differentiate himself from other presenters. A readable introduction to an important subject. show less

The Pointed Pundit loves it when an author comes up with a unique method to tell an old story. Andy Cohen has accomplished it in spades with Follow the other hand.

Combining his expertise as a business consultant with his hobby, Cohen pens a magical book that reveals how to think differently, increase your sales and generate new ideas. In short, the subject is how to gain a competitive edge.

The steps are old; the treatment is new. Using a fable of a company mired and stagnating, Cohen uses a show more magic metaphor to chart a fresh, energized path to growth and success.

The steps may be old, but by the “fable’s” conclusion, you will be filled with more ideas and solutions that you will be able to implement.

The Pointed Pundit doffs his hat to Andy Cohen. If you only have time to read one business strategy book, this is the book. It is short, well-written and insightful. Read it and you will have plenty of time to tackle your problems with a creative, renewed vigor.

Penned by the Pointed Pundit
October 3, 2006
9:20:33 AM show less

Our point of view, understanding, and conviction is often based on a set of assumptions. These are not necessarily true. And that's why Andy Cohen, TEDx and keynote speaker, author of Follow the Other Hand, wants to Challenge Your Assumptions and change your world. He introduces the Assumpt!, a conscious time to reflect and research assumptions that underly important business decisions. Cohen draws on psychological research published by Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point, Outliers), Daniel show more Kahneman (Thinking, Fast and Slow) and Dan Ariely (Predictably Irrational), Charles Duhigg (The Power of Habit), and Daniel H. Pink (Drive).

Chris Argyris, an organizational learning expert, provided the ladder of inference. How actions are based on beliefs, conclusions made on assumptions by giving a meaning to selected data or inputs. What if these inputs or data get or actually have a different meaning? Cohen's book reminded me of the provoking Dutch books by Berthold Gunster (Yes-but). Learn from great examples Cohen gathered from Orville Wright, Houdini, GE, and SpaceX. Exercises and additional resources are great extras. show less