Willful Blindness: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Willful Blindness containing key details about the book.
What is Willful Blindness About?
"Willful Blindness" is a book that explores the phenomenon of people consciously choosing to ignore information that could negatively impact their interests or beliefs.
In this book, Margaret Heffernan draws on psychological studies, social statistics, interviews with relevant protagonists, and her own experience to throw light on willful blindness and why whistleblowers and Cassandras are so rare. Ranging freely through history and from business to science, government to the family, this engaging and anecdotal book will explain why willful blindness is so dangerous in a globalized, interconnected world, before suggesting ways in which institutions and individuals can start to combat it. Margaret Heffernan's thought-provoking book will force us to open our eyes.
Summary Points & Takeaways from Willful Blindness
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book includes:
* The author provides an overview of the concept of "willful blindness" and its impact on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.
* Heffernan explores the reasons why people and organizations often choose to ignore important information and data, including fear, denial, and a lack of accountability.
* The book provides case studies and real-world examples of "willful blindness" in action, from the 2008 financial crisis to the failure of BP in the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
* Heffernan covers the role of leadership and organizational culture in promoting or preventing "willful blindness," and provides guidance on how to create an environment that encourages open-mindedness and critical thinking.
* The author also explores the impact of technology and the rapid pace of change on our ability to identify and act on important information, and provides insights into how to stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions.
* "Willful Blindness" concludes by emphasizing the importance of being aware of our own biases and limitations, and provides a roadmap for avoiding "willful blindness" and promoting open-mindedness and critical thinking.
Willful Blindness is the author of Willful Blindness?
Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, CEO, writer and keynote speaker. She is currently a Professor of Practice at the University of Bath School of Management in the UK.
Book Details
- Print length: 400 pages
- Genre: Psychology, Nonfiction, Business
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Clear, flowing prose … The book made me think long and hard about how the pace and priorities of our daily lives can hinder our ability to live as decently and as truthfully as we can.” — New York Times
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal development, I invite you to check out my list of favorite personal development books page. On this page, you'll find a curated list of books that have personally impacted my life, each with a summary and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
