This book almost wasn’t. Undoubtedly due to one or more flaws in my thinking, I had somehow convinced myself that most of the world no longer had the time or interest in reading books, and that the volume of noise in the form of information was already so overwhelming to most people that another book would only speed the saturation level. It was self-censorsing at its finest, and it took a good bit of poking and prodding from my wise advocate and agent John Willig to convince me I was wrong, and to give it another go. He had help from Knox Huston, my terrific editor from McGraw-Hill. I am grateful to them both for getting me to practice what I preach, to look at things from another perspective, and to produce an elegant solution. I am really proud of this little book, and I think it may indeed be my best work. For the first time in a decade of authorship, I have a book that has broad appeal and universal applicability, regardless of one’s walk in life. That’s cool. Thank you, gentlemen.
As to the content of the book itself, I have several thinking partners I would like to thank, not simply for lending me their expertise and advice in the production of this book, but for their counsel and mentorship over the past several years. I am quite fortunate to have as distant colleagues some of the world’s most noteworthy thought leaders, including those whose wisdom figures centrally in Winning the Brain Game.
For helping me distill and decode matters of neuroscience and the clear distinction between the mind and the brain, I have Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz to thank. Jeff is a master at helping people unlock their brains, and has been a colleague and advisor to me for many years.
For helping me understand the nuances of revealing hidden assumptions and teaching me techniques to engage what he refers to as “the opposable mind,” I have the brilliant Roger Martin, dean emeritus of The Rotman School and Thinkers50 leader, to thank. For well over a half decade, Roger has been a mentor and collaborator.
On matters of professional curiosity, constant experimentation, and serious play, I have the relentless provocateur Michael Schrage of MIT to thank. Just when you think you know something, Michael has the uncanny ability to inject the very question that lets you know you don’t.
Finally, I wish to thank the ever mindful Ellen Langer for graciously spending a bit of her time with me and sharing a story that I had not heard or seen written before.
If you enjoy Winning the Brain Game, it is because I had these individuals to help me bring it to life.