The Art of Being Unreasonable
Lessons in Unconventional Thinking
by Eli Broad
isbn 9781118173213
Pub. date 5/8/12
Description: “Reasonable” people come up with all the reasons something new and different can’t be done, because, after all, no one else has done it that way. Eli Broad’s embrace of “unreasonable thinking” has helped him build two Fortune 500 companies, amass personal billions, and use his wealth to create a new approach to philanthropy. He has funded scientific research institutes, K–12 education reform, and some of the world’s greatest contemporary art museums.
When I first saw the title of this book, I wasn’t sure what to think. While it is often appropriate to be reasonable, there are also times when being unreasonable is what it takes to success.
This doesn’t mean that we’re going to throw reason out the window and do completely stupid things or that we’re going to do things that would intentionally hurt others. It does mean that thinking outside of the box, assessing risk and making creative “unreasonable” decisions can lead to great things.
Eli Broad is an interesting man who has been extremely successful with his unreasonable approach. The book is part memoir and part how-to. He goes beyond just telling us what worked for him. He explains how these principals can work for others.
Like many business books, the things you learn in The Art of Being Unreasonable can be applied to both business and personal situations.