Black Box Thinking: Marginal Gains and the Secrets of High Performance
By Matthew Syed (2016) This book has proved to be the most essential read so far this year. Matthew Syed explains his ideas about human error, learning from failure, marginal gains, creativity and the neurology of a fixed versus a growth mindset using the most vivid and poignant examples from a variety of fields including aviation, medicine, cycling, Formula One and manufacturing. Syed combines all the best thinking from various sources, including the likes of Karl Popper and Carol Dweck, to produce a thoroughly convincing argument about how we should reform so many of our institutions and work places. I only wish he could have applied his arguments to the education system as that is more than overdue for the same treatment, but perhaps that is another book all of its own. Rating 10/10