Seeing What Others Don't

- What enabled Harry Markopolos to put the finger on the master fraudster Bernie Madoff? - How did Dr Michael Gottlieb first detect and identify the AIDS epidemic among his patients. - How did a "smokejumper" recognize that setting another fire would save, rather than imperil, his life? - What did Admiral Yamamoto see in a 1940 British attack on the Italian fleet that enabled him to develop the strategy of attack at Pearl Harbor? THE ANSWER, TO ALL FOUR QUESTIONS, IS INSIGHT. Insights like these can change the world, but we also need insights into the everyday things that frustrate and confuse us, so we can more effectively solve problems, make decisions and get things done. Yet until now, we knew remarkably little about insight: how it works, and how we can develop it for ourselves. A keen observer of people in their natural settings- from soldiers to scientists, police officers to business people - renowned cognitive psychologist Gary Klein uses a range of fascinating real-life stories to illuminate the nature of insight.Revealing how insight is impeded by an over-emphasis on error reduction, and "dumb by design" IT systems, he demonstrates how insight can be positively encouraged through employing five key strategies: noticing connections, coincidences and curiosities, investigating contradictions, and creating breakthrough solutions through the force of desperation.

Gary Klein, PhD, is a research psychologist famous for his part in founding the field of naturalistic decision making, and is Senior Scientist at MacroCognition LLC. He was one of the leaders of a team that redesigned the White House Situation Room. Gary is the author of several books, including THE POWER OF INTUITION and STREETLIGHTS AND SHADOWS.

'An insightful guide to insight. Particularly good at identifying the barriers to getting there. Indeed, Klein's book moves our understanding of insight forward by significantly adapting the story we have about it.' --Julian Baggini, Financial Times 'A brilliant discourse on a fascinating subject. It's written in a crisp, fluent, Gladwellish way and the pages flit by.' --Management Today 'No one has taught me more about the complexities and mysteries of human decision-making than Gary Klein.' --Malcolm Gladwell 'Gary Klein is a living example of how useful applied psychology can be when it is done well.' --Daniel Kahneman, author of THINKING, FAST AND SLOW 'A must-read for all leaders.' --General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (ret) 'Gary Klein pins down what until now has been the elusive topic of insight in his best and most personal work yet. The examples are memorable and Klein translates them into subtle and powerful lessons for practitioners and academics alike.' --Karl Weick, Rensis Likert Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan 'Vital to marketers looking to understand consumers needs, SEEING WHAT OTHERS DON'T explains insight, how it works, why insights still matter, what triggers them and shows tips on how to nurture them.' --Contagious 'Klein writes with such passion and conviction that you quickly come round to his point of view. The book explains how companies and organisations try to block these insights, no matter how much they may claim the contrary. Using over 100 real examples to illustrate his theories, he explains the concepts clearly and concisely. Klein also reveals how you can boost those insights, and that's invaluable advice. Rating 9/10 Book of the Week.' --Dane Cobain, Social Bookshelves 'Klein takes us on a fascinating journey from medical breakthroughs to military strategy. He analyses why IT systems are dumb by design, and examines how Darwin started to understand evolution as well as how Crick and Watson discovered DNA. SEEING WHAT OTHERS DON'T rattl