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 burst2) 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

Excellent book! One of the best and most practical books I've ever read. Highly recommend!

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.

Too often, we fall into the trap of shifting strategies, systems, or even entire industries simply because a new trend emerges. Reset by Dan Heath is a compelling reminder that meaningful change shouldn't be based on fleeting buzzwords or reactive decision-making. Instead, Dan emphasizes the importance of deeply understanding why a reset is necessary, going beyond surface-level trends to uncover the real driving forces behind change.One of the most valuable aspects of Reset is its focus on leverage points, the areas within a system where small but strategic changes can drive meaningful impact. Heath lays out how identifying and acting on these leverage points can make the difference between a reset that truly works and one that simply shifts the problem elsewhere.Another highlight of the book is its whirlwind review at the end of each chapter, making it easy to absorb key takeaways and apply them in real-world decision-making. I truly appreciate how Heath distills complex ideas into practical insights, ensuring that readers walk away with actionable strategies rather than just theoretical concepts.If you're someone who values strategic decision-making and wants to ensure that changes in your business, career, or life are rooted in solid reasoning, Reset is a must-read. It provides a framework for distinguishing between necessary evolution and blind adaptation, making it a powerful guide for anyone looking to make informed, impactful shifts.

Love the Heath brothers! A must read for leaders.

It’s one of the most practical books on change I’ve read—and one of the funniest. Dan Heath’s storytelling makes complex ideas feel simple, and his framework for tackling stuck systems is something I’ve already begun applying. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, which isn’t something I usually say about business books.

Just finished "Reset" and wow – Dan Heath nails it!Heath cuts through the noise with practical advice that actually makes sense. Instead of rushing back to old habits, he shows how to cherry-pick what worked before while ditching what didn't.The stories from real companies are the best part. They show his ideas in action without getting preachy. His take on hybrid work is refreshingly balanced – no one-size-fits-all solutions here.If you're trying to figure out what work should look like now, grab this book. It's an easy read with ideas you can use right away. Definitely one of Heath's best!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Great relatable and practical stories. Good summaries at the end of each chapter. Good ideas to leverage and move the boulder called change.