September 2, 2026/
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Most people don’t walk around thinking, “I need to control everything.” It’s subtler than that. It shows up as duty...
Better Thinking. Better Decisions.
The How Smart People Think series is designed to help business professionals make better decisions and improve their overall thinking. Each book uses practical mental models and real‑world examples to reveal the shortcuts our brains take — and how those shortcuts can quietly distort judgment.
You don’t need to read the series in order. In fact, you don’t even need to read the chapters in order. Every chapter is short, digestible, and self‑contained, so you can simply choose the topic that sparks your curiosity. A typical reading session — including reflection — takes about 10 to 25 minutes.
This is not a textbook. Mental models and cognitive biases are woven into real stories, business cases, and everyday situations, with concepts introduced naturally rather than explained academically. Each book also includes a bonus link for readers who purchased a copy, giving access to additional tools and resources.
The series will include five books:
Book 1 (available): How Smart People Think — Simple Frameworks for Better Business Decisions
Book 2 (available now): How Smart People Think — and Make Predictably Bad Decisions
Book 3: How Smart People Think — Simple Frameworks for Better Business Relationships
Book 4: How Smart People Think — Simple Frameworks for Better Business Management
Book 5: How Smart People Think — Simple Frameworks for Business Leaders
Each book stands on its own — read one, read all, or jump between chapters. The goal is simple: help you think more clearly, decide more effectively, and navigate complexity with confidence.
“How Smart People Think” is a book designed for clarity, coaching, and reflection, one chapter at a time.
This isn’t a book you read once and shelve. It’s a thinking companion, crafted to be explored in one sitting or revisited in small doses. Whether you flip to a random chapter or follow the structured flow, each section offers a powerful mental model, a story from someone who’s succeeded, and a coaching insight you can apply immediately.
Book One is your gateway to better decisions, clearer thinking, and personal effectiveness. It weaves together foundational concepts, cognitive biases, decision tools, and dynamic strategies, all grounded in real-world examples from high performers across industries.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Foundations of Thinking: Learn how models like Fast and Slow Thinking, Circle of Control, and Map vs. Territory shape how we perceive and act.
- Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Spot and sidestep traps like Anchoring Bias, Sunk Cost Fallacy, and Loss Aversion before they derail your judgment.
- Principles of Clarity: Discover tools like First Principles Thinking, Occam’s Razor, and Inversion to cut through complexity.
- Decision Analysis Tools: Apply frameworks like Expected Value, Scenario Planning, and Second Order Thinking to make smarter choices.
- Dynamic Environments: Navigate change with models like the OODA Loop, Eisenhower Matrix, and Bezos’ Two-Way Doors.
- Personal Effectiveness: Build resilience and growth through Self-Efficacy, Anti-Fragility, and the Stockdale Paradox.
- Weaving It All Together: Reflect on the journey with chapters like Cruel Sea and So What, Now What?—designed to help you integrate and act.
Whether you’re a leader, learner, or lifelong thinker, this book meets you where you are, and moves you forward. No fluff. Just frameworks, stories, and strategies that stick.
This second volume explores the hidden forces that skew our decisions, from manipulation and incentives to reputation, framing, urgency, and other cognitive bias. Across 16 standalone chapters, you’ll learn why smart people get misled, how your environment shapes your choices, and how to reclaim independent judgment in a noisy world.
Personal Empowerment
In How Smart People Think, Dick Richardson guides us through a challenge we all face, often without even being aware of it.
He also equips us to rise to it. This book is a must-read tour-de-force in personal empowerment. Richardson has curated a collection of powerful mental models and, more importantly, breathes life into them with vivid real-world examples to show us how these models can lead to genuine personal transformation.
15 days ago
Think more Clearly and Precisely
This book is filled with a wide variety of mental models that help the reader think more clearly and precisely about problems they may face in their own personal growth and in working with others. Each model is succinctly explained, followed by a multitude of examples of people and organizations who have used these models to achieve success. Examples are also given where lack of use of this model led to a personal or business failure. Dick also cross-references the models to show how other models could complement or perhaps replace the model they are currently using to analyze a situation or problem.
10.04.2018
Sharper Thinking
“Thinking”, said Henry Ford, “is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.” Dick Richardson’s book How Smart People Think gives all of us an edge in thinking. Dick has catalogued dozens of mental models then shows how people applied those models to real-world problems and then acted on their decision to change history. Thinking is a craft, and Dick provides a set of tools so we can sharpen our approach to thinking.
6 Month Ago
Catalyst for Better Thinking
For anyone who wants to solve problems this book is an indispensable guide. This is not just a book, it’s a catalyst for better thinking
5 Month Ago
As Seen In...
Here’s What Other People Are Saying…
A game-changing series, packed with powerful decision-making and problem-solving frameworks for business professionals.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sharpen your skills, boost your career, and make smarter decisions!
The truth is, even great leaders and successful individuals face the same struggles.
What sets them apart is their ability to leverage mental frameworks that help them navigate challenges with confidence and speed.
These frameworks empower you to:
- Solve problems faster.
- Make decisions with clarity.
- Pivot when the situation demands it.
- Test and refine solutions seamlessly.
Now, you can access these powerful strategies too.
The first book in this transformative series is set to launch by December 2025.
It’s packed with insights that will help you rethink decision-making and problem-solving in a completely new way.
Don’t miss your chance to take control and thrive.
"Simplifying decision-making and problem-solving for business professionals using powerful mental frameworks”
What are mental frameworks, and why are they important for business professionals?
Mental frameworks are mental models or cognitive tools that help individuals understand and interpret the world, and they are particularly valuable for business professionals.
These models simplify complex situations, enabling leaders to make informed decisions, adapt to changes, and innovate effectively.
We have been fortunate to learn from remarkable leaders, past and present, who have shaped impactful frameworks of thought. These frameworks empower us to think smarter, make informed decisions, and pave the way toward meaningful success.
Here are some concise expressions that capture the essence of their line of thinking—an approach often composed of multiple mental frameworks working together to coordinate their efforts:
- “Start with first principles” – Elon Musk
- “Think across disciplines” – Charlie Munger
- “Prioritize what truly matters” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
- “Empathize, ideate, prototype” – Tim Brown
- “Thrive in uncertainty” – Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- “Align goals for success” – Peter Drucker
- “Habitually effective” – Stephen Covey
- “Adapt and act swiftly” – John Boyd
- “Think creatively” – Edward de Bono
- “Cultivate a growth mindset” – Carol Dweck
Life doesn’t come with a manual, but success leaves tracks, and that is the essence of smart thinking in action. By grasping better frameworks, we equip ourselves to review, apply, and adapt diverse strategies to thrive under different circumstances.
By using powerful mental frameworks, you can break down problems, anticipate outcomes, and make informed decisions with confidence.
This fosters innovation and adaptability, helping you thrive and succeed.
Which professionals can benefit from adopting smarter thinking strategies and mental frameworks?
Professionals from a wide range of fields can benefit from adopting smarter thinking strategies and mental frameworks.
Entrepreneurs can refine their vision and innovate, executives can make confident leadership decisions, and project managers can prioritize tasks effectively.
Marketing specialists, financial analysts, and consultants can enhance problem-solving and strategic planning, while human resource managers can foster resilience and adaptability within teams in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Whether you’re navigating high-pressure situations, managing heavy workloads, or striving for long-term success, these tools are invaluable for staying focused, efficient, and empowered.
How Can You Grasp Successful Mental Frameworks?
You can learn from your experiences to identify what truly works, delve into insightful books, and benefit from mentorships.
You can read our regular blog articles or, for a limited time, download the preview of How Smart People Think, Volume 1.
It’s not just a comprehensive guide, it’s a practical toolbox featuring top mental frameworks, designed for easy reading in a single sitting or chapter-by-chapter for inspired action and quick consultation whenever needed. While we encourage all types of reading to broaden your perspective, this toolbox is crafted to make smarter thinking actionable and accessible.
Secure yours now
Dick Richardson is a leadership visionary, educator, and survivor whose life blends innovation, resilience, and storytelling. A former IBM executive and founder of Experience to Lead, Dick has shaped how leaders learn, designing patented adult learning systems and immersive programs with NASA and the Smithsonian. His insights are grounded in decades of global experience and a personal journey that includes surviving the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Through his writing and mentorship, Dick continues to inspire others to think smarter, lead boldly, and live with purpose.
Blog Posts
- Biases in Everyday Life
- Cognitive Bias
- Crisis Management
- Critical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Learning & Personal Growth
- Mental Models
- Real Life Stories
- Tools for Better Thinking
- Work and Career Lessons
- Back
- Extreme Financial Risk Decisions
- Voluntary Physical Risk Decisions
- Relationship Decisions
- High‑Investment Cognitive Commitment Decisions
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