LXA Marketing Leaders Book Club: Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity

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“The human mind does not run on logic any more than a horse runs on petrol”, has been said by the peerless Rory Sutherland. 

Using this thinking, he questions concepts such as why is Red Bull so popular but everyone hates how it tastes. Why do we prefer stripy toothpaste, even though the pattern makes no difference to its functionality? Well, Rory explains all in his seminal work. 

tipping alchemy

Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity, by Rory Sutherland, is one of those books that will change the way you look at the world—and yourself.

It's not just a book about thinking differently; it's a book about being different.

Why Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity is Vital for Any Modern Marketer

“It is perfectly possible to be both rational and wrong.”
―Rory Sutherland

 

In his book Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity, Rory shares his own story as well as some of the most creative thinking techniques he's used in his career. He also shares many examples from other people who are doing great things with their lives and careers.

The book discusses the importance of creativity in our society, and how it's been stifled by a culture that values conformity over originality. It also talks about how there are ways to make yourself more creative and innovative—and more willing to take risks—through simple practices like meditation and mindfulness.

It's not just about changing your mindset; it's about changing your habits and routines so that you're more open to new ideas, less afraid of failure, and more willing to experiment with new ways of thinking.

About the Author

“The human mind does not run on logic any more than a horse runs on petrol”

― Rory Sutherland

 

Rory Sutherland is a creative advertising executive, who has worked for the industry-leading ad agency Ogilvy & Mather. 

He has been an advisor to Nike, Apple, TED, and many other companies that have sought out his unique perspective on how to create new ideas. But before he was a famous philosopher/advisor/salesman/scientist/author/magician (we're not sure how many hats this guy wears), he was just a regular Joe trying to figure out what was going on in the world around him.

Rory Sutherland is a creative mind and one of the most original thinkers in the world. He's been called a “maverick” by The Economist, a “brilliant polymath” by Vanity Fair, and has been featured in TED talks that have gotten more than ten million views.


Top Takeaways

In this book, Sutherland argues that original thinking is essential to success in business, but it's not something that can be taught. It's a skill that has to be developed, and it's developed by doing things like:

  • Looking at problems from different perspectives.
  • Thinking about how others might see things differently than you do.
  • Being willing to make mistakes (and not being afraid to admit them).
  • Being able to understand that there are no right answers—only better ones at any given time.

Link to purchase page

Purchase Alchemy on Amazon 

We're bringing you the best insights written in the world of marketing today, thanks to our sponsors at Adobe

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