800-CEO-READ Blog

Whatever You Think Review by Rob Marsh

Paul Arden’s latest book, Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite, is the kind of book I want to like. It’s written by a former Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi. It features lots of pictures and short bursts of thought. It’s even got a great cover. Flipping through the pages, it looks like a lot of fun to read.

I want to like it, but I don’t. This book is lousy.

Okay, that’s pretty harsh. But stick with me. Arden’s book claims to share “no-nonsense career advice that can be applied to almost every field.� Here are a few examples of what you’ll find in the book. One spread titled, “Half Nelson Full Nelson�, features two photographs of a statue of Lord Nelson, one on a tall pedestal, the other on a much smaller pedestal. The no non-sense career advice reads: “If Nelson had been placed on a small pedestal, would he be only half the man he is today?� Another page features a prominent red arrow pointing to the bottom of the page and says, “Turn this book up side down.� Doing this makes it easier to read the caption under the arrow, “Things are looking up already.� Another page simply says, “Bread. You know it makes sandwiches.�

These are the “radical insights� of a “global business guru�?

Actually, the advice gets worse. “Don’t go to university.� And “Being bottom or near the bottom has merit.� And a contrived comparison between reckless Erica who bulldozes her way through several organizations, getting fired three times and steady Eddie who happily moves up the corporate ladder only to miss out on the final promotion that would make his career.

I get what Arden is trying to do here. He’s saying take chances. Be creative. Think differently. The problem is, he doesn’t say it very well.

Fortunately there are books that deliver on Arden’s promise, including Sally Hogshead’s Radical Careering (a well-designed, well-thought-out book of career advice) and Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie (in my opinion the best book on creativity ever written). Or if you’re looking for interesting ideas from the world of advertising, try Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy, Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan, or Creative Company by Andy Law. All good books full of interesting ideas. And unlike Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite, these books are worth the money.

One thing about Arden’s book is correct. If you’re thinking of buying it, think the opposite.

------
Reviewed by Rob Marsh