Smarter Faster Better
Unveils the cognitive science behind productivity in business and personal realms.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- The Power of Motivation
- Team Building and Mental Models
- The Importance of Managing Focus
- Goal Setting and Decision Making
- Innovation through Absorbing Information
- Managing Others and Leveraging Crisis
key point 1 of 6
The Power of Motivation
The concept of motivation in ‘Smarter Faster Better’ is explored with an emphasis on the psychological aspects that drive human behavior. The author delves into the idea that motivation is less about innate drive and more about understanding and manipulating the specific levers that encourage individuals to complete tasks and pursue goals. This perspective is grounded in the science of motivation and includes discussions of internal and external rewards, and the importance of autonomy and control in fostering a strong sense of motivation…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
Team Building and Mental Models
In ‘Smarter Faster Better’, the author explores the concept of team building by analyzing what makes some teams more effective than others. The book highlights the importance of psychological safety in team environments, a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson. Psychological safety is the shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. It allows team members to feel confident that no one on the team will embarrass or punish anyone else for admitting a mistake, asking a question, or offering a new idea. This sense of security fosters an environment of openness and enables the full participation of all team members…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 6
The Importance of Managing Focus
The concept of managing focus, as discussed in ‘Smarter Faster Better’, hinges on the understanding that attention has a huge impact on productivity and success. The book emphasizes that in the modern world, where distractions are abundant, the ability to control focus is more critical than ever. It suggests that focus is not just about avoiding distractions, but also about actively shaping the information that comes at us, thereby taking control of our cognitive faculties and directing them towards the activities that matter most…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 6
Goal Setting and Decision Making
In ‘Smarter Faster Better’, the author discusses goal setting as an integral part of enhancing productivity and making better decisions. The author introduces the concept of ‘stretch goals’, which are ambitious objectives that push individuals and organizations beyond their comfort zones. These goals are meant to spark innovation and drive progress by setting high standards. However, the author caresses the importance of pairing these stretch goals with ‘SMART goals’ – which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This combination ensures that while the vision is grand, there are manageable steps to guide the journey towards the ambitious end-goals…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 6
Innovation through Absorbing Information
Innovation through Absorbing Information is discussed as a process that involves the translation of information into actionable and novel ideas. It emphasizes that innovation isn’t just about generating completely new concepts; it’s also about recombining existing information in new ways. By absorbing diverse information, individuals and organizations can create a rich database of knowledge from which they can draw upon to solve problems and generate innovative solutions…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 6
Managing Others and Leveraging Crisis
In ‘Smarter Faster Better’, the concept of managing others revolves around the principle of giving people a sense of control to drive their motivation. The book illustrates this with the example of the employees at the NUMMI plant, where workers were given the autonomy to stop the production line if they noticed an issue. This empowerment led to a sense of ownership over their work and spurred productivity and quality improvements. It suggests that managers should aim to build self-motivation within their teams by offering choice and showing trust in their employees’ capabilities and judgment…Read&Listen More