Reset: How to Change What's Not Working

This is by far the funniest business book I have ever read. Here's the thing: to find the jokes, you have to read the footnotes, because that's where Dan hides most of them. And if you're reading the footnotes, might as well read the whole book! That would be a great idea, because this is pretty much a perfect business book. It teaches you a specific skill set succinctly, via resonant stories, and repetition of key concepts in memorable context. For example, Dan quotes health care expert Paul Batalden: "Every system is designed to get the results it gets." And then the idea shows up over and over again, until you say, "Ohhh, I get it now. The dysfunction *is* the function." Or: defining 'waste' as "any activity that doesn't add value for the customer." So simple, yet so profound in its implications. Dan -- whom I will address by first name not just because we're besties, but because he wouldn't want his brother Chip to get unearned credit for not writing this book -- divides the book into two main sections. First is "Finding Leverage Points", where you seek the small actions that can yield disproportionate results: 1) Go and see the work. 2) Consider the goal of the goal: Identify alternate pathways to your ultimate destination. 3) Study the bright spots: Who's getting great results? Emulate that. 4) Target the constraint: Assess the #1 force that is holding you back. 5) Map the system: Rise above the silos to spot promising targets for action. The second half of the book, Restack Resources, exhorts you to implement the insights gleaned from the first half into six strategies for change: 1) Start with a burst 2) Recycle waste: Discontinue efforts that don’t serve the mission. 3) Do less AND more: Shift resources from lower-value work to higher-value. 4) Tap motivation: Prioritize the work that’s required and desired. 5) Let people drive: Give your team the autonomy to lead the change efforts. 6) Accelerate learning: Get better, faster feedback to guide your work. In the process, you'll find out why Chick-fil-A has the most effective drive-through on the planet; how to think not just outside the box but outside the *planet* when trying to detect methane leaks; and how a moribund library turned around to become the toast of the town of Pottsboro, Texas. Each chapter contains conceptual gems that would each be worth the admission price (e.g. the "Miracle Question" for relationships, and "cluckwork"). I am also inordinately fond of the Whirlwind Reviews at the end of each chapter, summarizing the key concepts. And drawings! Note that Dan's strategies are equally applicable to personal life, not just business problems. As such, I heartily recommend this delightfully concise book to all of you problem solvers out there. Get "Reset" for proven strategic gems that solve real-life problems, whether you want to mitigate climate change or to get your kids to clean their rooms. -- Ali Binazir, M.D., M.Phil., Happiness Engineer and author of The 5 Hidden Love Questions: Radically Simple Strategies to Date Smarter, Own Your Power, and Flourish , and The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Being Absolutely Irresistible , the highest-rated dating book on Amazon for 8 years

This book led me to buying all other Heath brother books. I love how it's written with stories and examples. Its a quick, engaging read but informative at the same time. Perfect blend of fact and entertainment for me

Poorly functioning organization results in waste, downtime, waste that adds work, slows down. The author recommends to learn quickly , get the right information at the right time, map the system, install simple checks whether people are happy or not, (by asking simple questions: What matters most to you and what is getting in the way? ) in real time (Post-it notes) to be able to agilely move resources where something is not working, test paper pilots in sprints and practice teamwork, allocate resources instead of dysfunctional user support and create an expert advisory team that responds competently to a selection of queries.

Very insightful and I enjoyed the stories. I felt like I learned a lot that I can apply to work and life. Highly recommended!

This book is in my top 5 all time best reads that I will continually go back to as I build my business. So well articulated and helpful in getting me thinking about how to make changes in areas of my video production business where things are stuck or experiencing friction.

Heath’s advice is well-organized with great illustrations that demonstrate the methodology and bring it to life. It’s one of the few books I’ve recently read that I hated to stop reading and eagerly look forward to the next time I could pick it up again.

I absolutely loved RESET! I listened to the audiobook first, but now I need to go through the physical copy and highlight all the incredible insights. The strategies Dan Heath shares apply to every aspect of life. Cannot wait to gift copies. He has a gift for simplifying the steps to RESET, and his humor makes the read even more enjoyable. It’s a quick read—highly recommended!

SOME OF WHAT IS HERE IS COMMON SENSE. BUT THERE IS SOME POINTS ON REDUCING WASTES AND OTHER USEFUL POINTS.

Well written, good information

Interesting development and application of the lever effect. Thanks

Dan has written a gripping book about how to Reset. It has given me a great perspective on how to change things. Absolutely recommend reading this.

Another Heath masterpiece! Solid research backs insights that will make you think differently about who to get started when things might feel stuck.

Well written, super helpful and far from the self congratulatory nonsense with a tiny amount of information that leads to signing up to a course these kind of books usually contain. This one really helps open your mind and it’s incredibly well written