29 Books like Upstream

Making Better Decisions Using Systems Thinking

by Jaap Schaveling • 2017

Stop fighting fires: the systems-thinking tools that find the root cause and fix it for good.

3.82

🔄 Systems Thinking 🧠 Cognitive Biases 🗺️ Decision Frameworks

Making Better Decisions Using Systems Thinking Summary

Making Better Decisions Using Systems Thinking 95%

Stop fighting fires: the systems-thinking tools that find the root cause and fix it for good.

by Jaap Schaveling 2017

3.82

11 ratings

🔄 Systems Thinking 🧠 Cognitive Biases 🗺️ Decision Frameworks

The Systems Thinker

by Albert Rutherford • 2018

The mental models and feedback tools that crack the problems linear thinking only makes worse.

3.49

356

🧠 Systems Thinking 🧩 Mental Models ⚙️ Systems Dynamics

The Systems Thinker 95%

The mental models and feedback tools that crack the problems linear thinking only makes worse.

by Albert Rutherford 2018

3.49

356 ratings

🧠 Systems Thinking 🧩 Mental Models ⚙️ Systems Dynamics

Switch

by Chip Heath • 2010

Change isn't a willpower problem. It's a setup problem. Three simple fixes that actually stick.

4.03

56k+

🏢 Change Management 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🌳 Environmental Design

Switch 95%

Change isn't a willpower problem. It's a setup problem. Three simple fixes that actually stick.

by Chip Heath 2010

4.03

56k+ ratings

🏢 Change Management 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🌳 Environmental Design

Agile Conversations

by Douglas Squirrel • 2020

Agile fails in conversation, not process. Five dialogues that build the trust no tool can.

4.08

329

🔄 Organizational Change 💻 Software Teams 💬 Workplace Conversations

Agile Conversations 94%

Agile fails in conversation, not process. Five dialogues that build the trust no tool can.

by Douglas Squirrel 2020

4.08

329 ratings

🔄 Organizational Change 💻 Software Teams 💬 Workplace Conversations

Reset

by Dan Heath • 2025

The two moves that unstick any system: find the right point, then move everything onto it.

4.13

3k+

🔄 Organizational Change ⛓️ Theory Of Constraints 🏭 Lean Methodology

Reset 94%

The two moves that unstick any system: find the right point, then move everything onto it.

by Dan Heath 2025

4.13

3k+ ratings

🔄 Organizational Change ⛓️ Theory Of Constraints 🏭 Lean Methodology

The Practice of Adaptive Leadership

by Ronald A. Heifetz • 2009

Stop solving problems for your team: manage stress, surface hidden dynamics, lead lasting change.

4.05

2k+

🔄 Organizational Change 🧠 Systems Thinking 👥 Group Dynamics

The Practice of Adaptive Leadership Summary

The Practice of Adaptive Leadership 94%

Stop solving problems for your team: manage stress, surface hidden dynamics, lead lasting change.

by Ronald A. Heifetz 2009

4.05

2k+ ratings

🔄 Organizational Change 🧠 Systems Thinking 👥 Group Dynamics

Think in Systems

by Zoe McKey • 2019

Why your solutions create new problems, and how to map the connections you're missing.

3.48

252

🧠 Systems Thinking 🧩 Mental Models 🗺️ Strategic Planning

Think in Systems 94%

Why your solutions create new problems, and how to map the connections you're missing.

by Zoe McKey 2019

3.48

252 ratings

🧠 Systems Thinking 🧩 Mental Models 🗺️ Strategic Planning

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

by Dennis Sherwood • 2002

Stop fixing symptoms. Map your business's hidden loops to find the one change that matters most.

3.80

137

🌳 Systems Thinking 🧠 Mental Models 🔁 System Dynamics

Seeing the Forest for the Trees 94%

Stop fixing symptoms. Map your business's hidden loops to find the one change that matters most.

by Dennis Sherwood 2002

3.80

137 ratings

🌳 Systems Thinking 🧠 Mental Models 🔁 System Dynamics

The Science of Organizational Change

by Paul Gibbons • 2019

Half of corporate change fails, and the guru-industrial complex is covering up the real reasons.

4.02

🏢 Organizational Change 💰 Behavioral Economics 🤔 Cognitive Biases

The Science of Organizational Change Summary

The Science of Organizational Change 94%

Half of corporate change fails, and the guru-industrial complex is covering up the real reasons.

by Paul Gibbons 2019

4.02

87 ratings

🏢 Organizational Change 💰 Behavioral Economics 🤔 Cognitive Biases

I'm Afraid Debbie From Marketing Has Left for the Day

by Morten Münster • 2019

Why motivation fails and how environment design wins: the playbook for real-world behavior change.

4.08

2k+

🎛️ Behavioral Design 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🧩 Nudge Theory

I'm Afraid Debbie From Marketing Has Left for the Day Summary

I'm Afraid Debbie From Marketing Has Left for the Day 94%

Why motivation fails and how environment design wins: the playbook for real-world behavior change.

by Morten Münster 2019

4.08

2k+ ratings

🎛️ Behavioral Design 🧠 Behavioral Economics 🧩 Nudge Theory

The Dance of Change

by Peter M. Senge • 2004

Ten predictable forces stall change. Learn to spot them early, and keep your momentum alive.

4.06

551

🧠 Organizational Learning 🔄 Systems Thinking 📈 Change Management

The Dance of Change 94%

Ten predictable forces stall change. Learn to spot them early, and keep your momentum alive.

by Peter M. Senge 2004

4.06

551 ratings

🧠 Organizational Learning 🔄 Systems Thinking 📈 Change Management

The Art of Critical Decision Making

by Michael A. Roberto • 2009

Data doesn't make decisions. Debate does. The process for designing the right argument in any room.

4.09

573

🧠 Cognitive Biases 📉 Behavioral Economics ⚔️ Constructive Conflict

The Art of Critical Decision Making Summary

The Art of Critical Decision Making 94%

Data doesn't make decisions. Debate does. The process for designing the right argument in any room.

by Michael A. Roberto 2009

4.09

573 ratings

🧠 Cognitive Biases 📉 Behavioral Economics ⚔️ Constructive Conflict

Anatomy of a Breakthrough

by Adam Alter • 2023

Feeling stuck isn't a personal failing; it's a universal pattern, and this is the way out.

3.86

2k+

🧠 Cognitive Biases 🪨 Friction Reduction 🏋️ Learning From Failure

Anatomy of a Breakthrough 94%

Feeling stuck isn't a personal failing; it's a universal pattern, and this is the way out.

by Adam Alter 2023

3.86

2k+ ratings

🧠 Cognitive Biases 🪨 Friction Reduction 🏋️ Learning From Failure

Liminal Thinking

by Dave Gray • 2016

Your beliefs resist new evidence because they are identity, not logic. Tools to change them anyway.

3.93

3k+

🧠 Mental Models 🧱 Belief Systems 🏢 Organizational Change

Liminal Thinking 94%

Your beliefs resist new evidence because they are identity, not logic. Tools to change them anyway.

by Dave Gray 2016

3.93

3k+ ratings

🧠 Mental Models 🧱 Belief Systems 🏢 Organizational Change

Leading Strategic Change

by J. Stewart Black • 2002

Why your best people become your biggest obstacle when strategy shifts, and how to move them.

3.82

119

🏢 Organizational Change 🧭 Change Leadership 🧠 Mental Models

Leading Strategic Change 94%

Why your best people become your biggest obstacle when strategy shifts, and how to move them.

by J. Stewart Black 2002

3.82

119 ratings

🏢 Organizational Change 🧭 Change Leadership 🧠 Mental Models

What's Your Problem?

by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg • 2020

Your problem-solving instinct is your biggest obstacle. A method for seeing the real problem first.

4.23

669

🖼️ Problem Framing 🎨 Design Thinking 🧠 Cognitive Biases

What's Your Problem? 94%

Your problem-solving instinct is your biggest obstacle. A method for seeing the real problem first.

by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg 2020

4.23

669 ratings

🖼️ Problem Framing 🎨 Design Thinking 🧠 Cognitive Biases

How Highly Effective People Speak

by Peter Andrei • 2020

Wire your message for the human mind: nine cognitive biases that turn talk into influence.

3.47

341

🧠 Cognitive Biases 🗣️ Public Speaking 📈 Persuasion

How Highly Effective People Speak Summary

How Highly Effective People Speak 94%

Wire your message for the human mind: nine cognitive biases that turn talk into influence.

by Peter Andrei 2020

3.47

341 ratings

🧠 Cognitive Biases 🗣️ Public Speaking 📈 Persuasion

Leading Successful Change

by Gregory P. Shea • 2020

Stop announcing change. Design an environment where the behaviors you need are the only option.

3.62

121

🔄 Organizational Change 🏗️ Organizational Design 🎯 Strategy Execution

Leading Successful Change 94%

Stop announcing change. Design an environment where the behaviors you need are the only option.

by Gregory P. Shea 2020

3.62

121 ratings

🔄 Organizational Change 🏗️ Organizational Design 🎯 Strategy Execution

Influencer

by Joseph Grenny • 2007

Change stalls when you only push one lever. Six forces that together make new behavior stick.

4.01

15k+

🏢 Organizational Change 🔄 Behavior Change 🎯 Influence Strategies

Influencer 94%

Change stalls when you only push one lever. Six forces that together make new behavior stick.

by Joseph Grenny 2007

4.01

15k+ ratings

🏢 Organizational Change 🔄 Behavior Change 🎯 Influence Strategies

The Science of Successful Organizational Change

by Paul Gibbons • 2015

Half of all change efforts fail. The fix is the behavioral science most leaders overlook.

4.07

🔄 Change Management 🏃 Agile Organizations 🧠 Behavioral Economics

The Science of Successful Organizational Change Summary

The Science of Successful Organizational Change 94%

Half of all change efforts fail. The fix is the behavioral science most leaders overlook.

by Paul Gibbons 2015

4.07

45 ratings

🔄 Change Management 🏃 Agile Organizations 🧠 Behavioral Economics

Managing the Unexpected

by Karl E. Weick • 2001

The safest organizations stay safe by acting like disaster is always one small oversight away.

3.78

594

🏭 Organizational Reliability 🚨 Crisis Management ⚠️ Error Prevention

Managing the Unexpected 94%

The safest organizations stay safe by acting like disaster is always one small oversight away.

by Karl E. Weick 2001

3.78

594 ratings

🏭 Organizational Reliability 🚨 Crisis Management ⚠️ Error Prevention

You're About to Make a Terrible Mistake

by Olivier Sibony • 2019

You can't think your way out of bias. Better decisions need better process, not better people.

4.05

720

🧠 Cognitive Biases 📊 Behavioral Economics 🏗️ Decision Architecture

You're About to Make a Terrible Mistake Summary

You're About to Make a Terrible Mistake 94%

You can't think your way out of bias. Better decisions need better process, not better people.

by Olivier Sibony 2019

4.05

720 ratings

🧠 Cognitive Biases 📊 Behavioral Economics 🏗️ Decision Architecture

ADKAR

by Jeffrey M. Hiatt • 2006

Five stages that turn change resistance into daily habit, where top-down mandates alone fail.

3.85

1k+

🔄 Change Management 🧠 Behavior Change 🏢 Organizational Psychology

ADKAR 93%

Five stages that turn change resistance into daily habit, where top-down mandates alone fail.

by Jeffrey M. Hiatt 2006

3.85

1k+ ratings

🔄 Change Management 🧠 Behavior Change 🏢 Organizational Psychology

Paradigms

by Joel A. Barker • 1993

Your expertise can blind you: why outsiders see the next big shift while industry leaders miss it.

4.04

171

🏢 Organizational Change 💡 Innovation Management 🧠 Mental Models

Paradigms 93%

Your expertise can blind you: why outsiders see the next big shift while industry leaders miss it.

by Joel A. Barker 1993

4.04

171 ratings

🏢 Organizational Change 💡 Innovation Management 🧠 Mental Models

The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook

by Peter M. • 1994

The practical fieldbook for building a company that learns, adapts, and outpaces change.

4.12

2k+

🏢 Organizational Learning 🔄 Systems Thinking 🧠 Mental Models

The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook 93%

The practical fieldbook for building a company that learns, adapts, and outpaces change.

by Peter M. 1994

4.12

2k+ ratings

🏢 Organizational Learning 🔄 Systems Thinking 🧠 Mental Models

The Power of Noticing

by Max H. Bazerman • 2014

The worst failures were visible beforehand; the missing ingredient was never data but attention.

3.40

437

🧠 Cognitive Biases 💰 Behavioral Economics 🏢 Organizational Culture

The Power of Noticing 93%

The worst failures were visible beforehand; the missing ingredient was never data but attention.

by Max H. Bazerman 2014

3.40

437 ratings

🧠 Cognitive Biases 💰 Behavioral Economics 🏢 Organizational Culture

The Diary of a CEO

by Steven Bartlett • 2023

Business strategy changes. Human wiring doesn't. The behavioral laws that exploit the difference.

4.16

15k+

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🚀 Startup Culture 🔄 Habit Design

The Diary of a CEO 93%

Business strategy changes. Human wiring doesn't. The behavioral laws that exploit the difference.

by Steven Bartlett 2023

4.16

15k+ ratings

🧠 Behavioral Economics 🚀 Startup Culture 🔄 Habit Design

Move Fast and Fix Things

by Frances Frei • 2023

Your speed problem is actually a trust problem. Diagnose it Monday, accelerate by Friday.

3.62

600

🏢 Organizational Change 🤝 Trust Building 🛡️ Psychological Safety

Move Fast and Fix Things 93%

Your speed problem is actually a trust problem. Diagnose it Monday, accelerate by Friday.

by Frances Frei 2023

3.62

600 ratings

🏢 Organizational Change 🤝 Trust Building 🛡️ Psychological Safety

HBR Guide to Critical Thinking

by Harvard Business Review • 2023

Why assumptions trap you, and how to escape before you decide: HBR guide to clearer thinking.

3.92

198

🧠 Critical Thinking 🤔 Decision Making 🧐 Cognitive Biases

HBR Guide to Critical Thinking 93%

Why assumptions trap you, and how to escape before you decide: HBR guide to clearer thinking.

by Harvard Business Review 2023

3.92

198 ratings

🧠 Critical Thinking 🤔 Decision Making 🧐 Cognitive Biases

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