Decisive

Chip Heath and Dan Heath argue that knowing about mental biases is not enough to correct them, much as knowing one is nearsighted does nothing for eyesight. Drawing on a broad study of decision research, the brothers, also authors of Made to Stick and Switch, set out a four-step process meant to counter tendencies such as overconfidence, favoring information that confirms existing views, and being swayed by short-term emotion. Examples range from a rock star's decision-making trick to a chief executive's disastrous acquisition. The book also takes up how to stop agonizing over choices, how groups can decide without destructive politics, and how to avoid missing chances to change course. It reached the New York Times business best-seller list.

Direct response copywriter Cristian-Dragos Baciu named it as, in his view, the business book with the most impact on him, crediting its real-life stories. Bizdaq founder Sean Mallon said it explains how good decisions are made and how to reach better ones faster.