PUBLISHED BY IDEAPRESS PUBLISHING
How To See What Others Miss
INSPIRED BY THE #1 WSJ BESTSELLING NON-OBVIOUS SERIES!In Non-Obvious Thinking, bestselling futurist Rohit Bhargava and pioneering venture capitalist Ben duPont come together to offer a concise four-step method to think bigger. From the termite mounds of Zimbabwe to an undiscovered Australian island that seemingly disappeared overnight, this book blends fascinating stories with highly actionable daily lessons. It’s a digestible roadmap to being more observant and unlocking the potential of your best ideas. The world needs more non-obvious thinkers. This book is your guide to becoming one yourself.
WATCH AND READ
SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE
It traps us in a routine, unable to imagine other perspectives or create truly original ideas. What does it take to think bigger, have more empathy, and transform your best ideas into reality?
What can the world's most dangerous playground teach us about the power of embracing radical curiosity? Why does the quirky science of enigmatology offer a perfect formula for discovering the hidden side of anything? How can a seven-minute meetup reinvent the way you build your network?
From the termite mounds of Zimbabwe to an undiscovered Australian island that seemingly disappeared overnight, the book blends fascinating stories with highly actionable daily lessons to help you shift the way you think.
THE METHOD
Before you can see what others miss, you must develop the mental flexibility to be open to new ideas.
S
This process starts with creating more space. Space is the warmup stretch that makes limber, non-obvious thinking possible. In Part I, you will read about proven techniques for creating space, from reinventing your breathing to unearthing your mental biases.
I
Once you have learned to create more space, in Part II you will learn to uncover insights. Insights go beyond describing the world as we see it on the surface and explain why it is the way it is. Discovering them usually starts by asking better questions.
F
After you get better at collecting insights, you will need to narrow your attention to the things that matter most. In Part III, you will learn techniques to help you focus. This includes new suggestions to block out the many distractions we all face and see other perspectives unlike your own.
T
The final stage in the SIFT framework is what we like to call the twist. This is the moment when you challenge yourself to take your thinking even further. If your mental journey to this point was akin to a high jump, this would be the moment when you raise the bar just a little higher.
INSIDE THE BOOK
A few spreads from the book, illustrated throughout to make the SIFT method easy to put into practice.
ANOTHER FRAMEWORK TO EXPLORE
The five habits appear in every edition of the Non-Obvious series, and the practice of becoming a non-obvious thinker is the whole subject of Non-Obvious Thinking.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
More than 50 bestselling authors, CEOs, and educators shared early reviews of the book. Here is a small sample of what a few of them said.
“Fuels breakthrough thinking!”
TONY ROBBINS#1 NY Times Bestselling Author“A delightful guide to questioning old assumptions.”
ADAM GRANT#1 NY Times Bestselling Author of Think Again and Hidden Potential“Big leaps come from non-obvious thinking. This is a must read!”
SAL KHANFounder & CEO of Khan Academy“This book will open your eyes and uncork your brain!”
DANIEL H. PINK#1 NY Times Bestselling Author of Drive, When, and The Power of Regret“A powerful reminder of why curiosity matters!”
JOHN SCULLEYEntrepreneur and former CEO of Apple“This is an important book … a source of cover-to-cover joy.”
TOM PETERS#1 Global Bestselling Coauthor of In Search of Excellence“Filled with riveting stories and quick takeaways.”
DORIE CLARKBestselling Author of The Long Game“Fun to read and wonderfully actionable!”
DOLLY CHUGHNYU Stern Professor & Bestselling Author“Amazingly thought provoking.”
CHRIS GHEYSENSChairman & CEO of Wawa, Inc.“Perceptive and illuminating!”
SCOTT OSMAN & JACQUELYN LANECofounders, 100 Coaches Agency“This book is imaginative, creative and, above all, highly interesting.”
CHARLES ELSONEdgar S. Woolard Jr. Chair in Corporate Governance, University of Delaware“Sagacious!”
ADRIAN TENNANTWinner, Non-Obvious One-Word Book Review Program“A short, fascinating, and witty roadmap to finding inventive solutions.”
THE THINKERS BEHIND IT
FOUNDER, THE NON-OBVIOUS COMPANY
Rohit is on a mission to help the world be more open-minded by teaching others how to be non-obvious thinkers. He is the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of eleven books, previously spent 15 years at two of the largest advertising agencies in the world, and has been invited to headline events in 32 countries. He lives in Washington, DC, and is a dad of two teenage boys.
COFOUNDER, CHARTLINE CAPITAL PARTNERS
Ben duPont is co-Founder and Partner at Chartline Capital Partners venture capital fund that invests in B2B software companies. He co-founded yet2, an Open Innovation company in 1999. Previously Ben worked at the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) in multiple businesses including medical products, fibers, specialty chemicals, and engineering. Ben is on the board of Longwood Gardens, Zip Code Wilmington, and the Tower Hill School. He has a BSME Tufts University and lives in Rockland Delaware with his wife and two kids.
BOOK DETAILS
GET YOUR COPY
Signed copies ship directly from the Non-Obvious store. The book is also available from your favorite bookseller.
RECOGNITION
Here are all 12 honors the book has earned so far, and what each award is for.
WINNER
Winner, Entrepreneurship & Small Business
An awards program from American Book Fest honoring excellence in legacy nonfiction categories.
WINNER
Winner, Marketing & Advertising
A competition that receives more than two thousand entries from authors and publishers worldwide each year.
WINNER
Winner, Best Interior Design
One of the largest mainstream book award competitions in the United States, judged across dozens of subcategories.
WINNER
Second Place
A global competition that honors excellence across all types of literature, with separate placings inside each subject category.
SILVER MEDAL
Silver Medal, Evergreen
From the publishers of the IPPY Awards, Living Now honors books that help readers live better lives, with Evergreen medals for messages that endure.
FINALIST
Category Finalist
Named for the longshoreman philosopher, the Hoffer Award honors salient writing and the independent spirit of small publishers.
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE
Distinguished Favorite
A global competition for independent publishers in which judges weigh each book against a broad set of editorial and production criteria.
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE
Distinguished Favorite, Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business
An international competition open to independently and traditionally published authors alike.
FINALIST
Finalist
A program that has evaluated and promoted thousands of independently published books since 2007.
FINALIST
Finalist
The largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers.
RUNNER UP
Runner Up
A program designed to foster the promotion of new authors and books, with a single title named across all nonfiction each year.
FINALIST
Finalist
Unusual among book awards in that every entry is judged and reviewed by actual readers rather than an industry panel.
FREE DOWNLOAD
A free excerpt from the book, self-hosted and free to download.
AUDIO BOOK
Prefer to listen? The audiobook edition is available now exclusively through Zoundy.
FOREIGN EDITIONS
The book is now available in translated editions around the world, with more languages on the way.
EVEN MORE PRAISE
All 51 advance endorsements the book received, unedited and in full.
The non-obvious way fuels breakthrough thinking!
#1 NY Times Bestselling Author
Any big leaps or innovations in society come from non-obvious thinking. This is a must-read for anyone looking to make these types of leaps for themselves or society.
Founder & CEO of Khan Academy
A delightful guide to questioning old assumptions.
#1 NY Times Bestselling Author of THINK AGAIN and HIDDEN POTENTIAL
In an age of echo chambers and confirmation bias, this book will open your eyes, uncork your brain, and inspire you to think bigger.
#1 NY Times Bestselling Author of DRIVE, A WHOLE NEW MIND, and THE POWER OF REGRET
This is an important book. I could start that way - and mean it. But I won’t. How about, ‘This book is a source of cover-to-cover joy. I had fun reading it. I had tried five new-to-me things by page 25. ‘Joy’ and ‘fun’ are the words I choose to hang this endorsement on. It is a wonderful book. Play with it, put it down a hundred times and try something. Bravo!
#1 Global Bestselling Co-Author of IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE
Don't settle for being Captain Obvious! If you have ever wondered how to see, create, and think better and differently, Non-Obvious Thinking is the motivation and handbook you've been looking for. And it's as fun to read as it is actionable!
NYU Stern Professor and Bestselling Author
This self-help guide goes beyond just being helpful to being downright fun to read.
I have attended several of Ben duPont's Non-Obvious dinners. I have experienced the enjoyment of bringing some naturally curious individuals together for conversation to explore non-obvious ways of thinking about the world ahead. Discover [d] the possibilities of Non-Obvious thinking.
Entrepreneur and Former CEO of Apple
The key to success is being able to notice the details in what people don't say. For anyone looking to improve their ability to connect with others, this fast-paced handbook to improve your intuition will certainly help.
Author of DIGITAL BODY LANGUAGE
Rohit and Ben deliver an engaging set of stories relevant to anyone trying to challenge the obvious. It’s instructive and amazingly thought provoking.
Chairman & CEO of Wawa, Inc.
A fascinating, eye-opening read to help you take a longer view of the world. Through riveting stories and quick takeaways, Rohit and Ben brilliantly show us how to open our thinking and truly embrace the non-obvious.
Bestselling Author of THE LONG GAME
Perceptive and illuminating!
Co-Founders of 100 Coaches Agency
Sagacious!
Winner - Non-Obvious 1 Word Book Review Program
This book is imaginative, creative and, above all, highly interesting. Contrary to its title, it is clearly obvious to me that this is a book to be read and enjoyed.
Edgar S. Woolard Jr. Chair in Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware
If I had to choose one set of skills to help employees stay off the layoff list and help entrepreneurs grow their business in a wildly uncertain economy, it would be Non-Obvious Thinking. In typical fashion, Rohit brings clarity, punch and utility while teaching the meta skill of the 21st century.
Author of BODY OF WORK and THE WIDEST NET
This book is for everyone who has secretly dreamed of being a genius. The methods are simpler than you would think - but not obvious.
Yale School of Management Professor and Bestselling Author of INFLUENCE IS YOUR SUPERPOWER
Filled with great stories, practical tips, and a philosophy everyone should embrace, Non Obvious Thinking is a must-read for the deeply curious and open minded.
Bestselling author of THE REVENGE OF ANALOG and THE FUTURE IS ANALOG
Most thinking is TABO: True And Bleeding Obvious. This book breaks TABOs. You'll flourish when you learn to think non obviously.
Author of THE COACHING HABIT
In Non-Obvious Thinking, Rohit and Ben explore how, before you can see what others miss, you must develop the mental flexibility to be open to new ideas. This book challenges readers to embrace curiosity, break free from conventional thinking, and explore innovative perspectives. The book’s visually appealing illustrations ensure you won’t miss a thing, turning [turn] every point into an obvious revelation.
Author of CURIOSITY UNLEASHED
In a brave new world of business conformity, Non-Obvious Thinking is a reminder that those who see what others don’t go furthest!
Author of DISRUPTIVE MARKETING
When everyone else is using AI to distill the obvious, you can win by seeing what others don’t! Rohit and Ben show you how [Filled] with wit, wisdom and fascinating stories to get you thinking.
WSJ Bestselling Author of 12 books, Including FANOCRACY
Sick of the status quo? Stuck in a rut? Losing hope in genuine change? This book is the antidote. Rohit and Ben open doors to new worlds [e] that aren't just amazing, but attainable.
Author of THE STATUS REVOLUTION
Non Obvious Thinking is an enlightening exploration of how to see beyond the obvious and discover innovative solutions. Rohit and Ben masterfully combine behavioral science with real-world examples to teach readers the art of identifying hidden opportunities. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to cultivate a fresh perspective and develop a keen eye for spotting the non-obvious in everyday situations.
the Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and NY Times Bestselling Author of THE EARNED LIFE, TRIGGERS, and WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON’T GET YOU THERE
Want to train your brain to be open to finding your talkable moment? This is the book for you. Filled with great examples and a sure-fire method for seeing a future that others might miss, Non-Obvious Thinking is your key to being able to conjure your success. After a decade of reading the Non-Obvious series, this latest edition is the best one yet!
the Global Authority on Word of Mouth Marketing and Author of the Bestseller FIZZ
Rohit and Ben have done it! They have provided a path to innovation that is accessible, not just for tech giants, but to each and every one of us. In a time wildly defined by change, this book is required reading. It provides practical, actionable methods that go far beyond platitudes and arms each reader with the skills to be future-ready. Get your copy today!
Founder of Watch Her Work
You know those people who seem to have a knack for coming up with brilliant ideas? Non-Obvious Thinking reveals their secrets! Unblock your creative potential and learn to generate ideas that will astonish even yourself.
Bestselling Author and Founder of SAVVY AUNTIE
Non-Obvious Thinking is perfect for anyone ready to break away from the norm and uncover truly game-changing ideas.
Author of DUCT TAPE MARKETING
Rohit has created a modern roadmap for today’s leaders - reminding us to take risks and to always consider alternative perspectives…Read this book - and learn from one of the best.
Founder & President of The Sway Effect
Now more than ever, we need non-obvious thinkers. This book masterfully shows us how to become one of them. This is essential reading for anyone looking to challenge conventional wisdom and think differently.
Bestselling Author and TV Show Host
An important (and fun) read for anyone looking to grow and make change in the wider world around them.
Bestselling Author of THE FIRST, THE FEW, THE ONLY
Rohit and Ben have nailed it! One may think trying to find non-obvious things repeatedly to be a hard task, but this book challenges us to think differently. From the design, chapter details, and the stories, you'll be challenged, empowered, and inspired to rethink how you approach innovation, collaboration and much more.
Author of RETHINK CREATIVITY and Founder of InnovatorsBox
To uncover the best insights, be part of the right room, the authors say. For me, that room is every tip-packed page between the covers of Non-Obvious Thinking. Non-Obvious thinking makes it clear that the answers to your hardest questions are hidden in plain sight. Better, it offers you the lens to see all of them. A multi-tool for answering every urgent question.
Former Editor in Chief of Inc Magazine and Cofounder of BabyRobot.co
Seeing around the corner… Anticipating the next thing… Knowing something before everyone else…While many jealously wish for these abilities, if you read this book you will enjoy them in abundance! Non-Obvious Thinking is a playbook for paying attention to the things most people overlook and then using those observations to find more opportunity, possibility, and success in your personal and professional life. With valuable, unique techniques like Oasis Moments, Dirty Hands, and Follow Your Un-Interest, the previously hidden strategies in this book make it a MUST READ for anyone that wants to thrive in a non-obvious future.
International Keynote Speaker and WSJ Bestselling Author of NEVER LOSE AN EMPLOYEE AGAIN
Almost too much value in one book. Every snippet includes a valuable life or business lesson. I'll look forward to referring back to this book often.
Bestselling Author of CONTENT INC. and EPIC CONTENT MARKETING
I LOVE Rohit Bhargava and Ben Dupont’s new book, Non-Obvious Thinking! And I LOVE the inspiration for their book that encouraging and teaching everyone to be more creative is the key to a more prosperous society. I totally agree. My greatest confidence is the ability to come up with a creative solution to any problem - mine or anyone else’s. In reading Non-Obvious Thinking, I realized that I’ve been employing the SIFT - Space. Insight. Focus. Twist. - methodology that Rohit and Ben have coined and succinctly explain with compelling examples in this easy-to-read and digest book. I highly recommend Non-Obvious Thinking for yourself, your children, students, colleagues, employees, fellow directors and c-suite execs of for-profit and non-profit organizations. Everyone can benefit from creating greater abundance in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities!
Founder & Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet LLC
One of the most pivotal, life-changing experiences is seeing what you didn't see you didn't see.
Author of EMPATHY IN ACTION, AI + Empathy IS better together...
With so many ideas on how to have ideas, reading this book is sure to help you think of something new!
Author of YOUR GRASS IS GREENER
I’m asked often to help people be more innovative, interesting or creative - now I’m just going to hand them this book!
Author of DARE TO BE NAIVE
An intriguing journey into unconventional thought, Non-Obvious Thinking: How to See What Others Miss" captivates readers with compelling stories while offering a problem-solving toolkit that gives readers many "now I get it" moments.
Author of TURNAROUND
This inspiring book, with its blend of insightful stories and practical advice, encourages us to approach challenges, including difficult conversations, with curiosity and creativity. Non-Obvious Thinking not only motivates you to explore new ways of thinking but also provides the tools to transform challenging interactions into opportunities for growth, connection, and innovative ideas.
Author of GETTING ALONG: HOW TO WORK WITH ANYONE (EVEN DIFFICULT PEOPLE)
Rohit and Ben show us how anyone can discover fresh ideas and tune in more to the people and world around them. Readers will keep coming back to this book for inspiration and for practical ways to change up their thinking.
Partner of IBM and Author of THE HIDDEN POWER OF YOUR CUSTOMERS
A playbook for seeing what others don't see, making non-obvious connections, and navigating a rapidly-changing world. Full of stories, illustrations, and memorable anecdotes - this book is as fun to read as it is immediately practical and useful.
7X Inc. 5000 CEO and 2X #1 National Bestselling Author
Eye-opening! Rohit and Ben reveal exactly how to see what you’ll otherwise miss. An obvious must-read.
Author of USING BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE IN MARKETING
You know a book is good when you find yourself quoting it to different people in wildly different contexts. Reading this book has given me an unfair advantage, so if you'd be so kind as to not publish it. I subscribe to a lot of newsletters, Non-Obvious is the only one I read. This book taught me why.
Author of JUNIOR and Freelance Creative Director
Non-Obvious Thinking offers readers a quick but powerful masterclass in observation and innovation.
Author of FRICTION and BRAINFLUENCE
Non Obvious Thinking is a refreshingly pithy and fun read, packed with easy-to-apply takeaways. The book's unique start, emphasizing the importance of breath, sets the tone for a compelling framework to help see what others miss.
Chief Marketing Officer & Partner of Aspiriant
Rohit and Ben's writing captures beautifully the line we straddle as business operatives, with ambitions of great leadership, and human beings. As we hold responsibility to grow ourselves before we can grow others and our business.
Founder of FIG and Global Head of Foresight at McDonald’s
Non-Obvious Thinking is a simple-to-read book with profound insights. As a recovering perfectionist, I appreciated advice I rarely read-such as how "creating space" isn't always a good thing, or the great alternative to constantly striving for the best option. Read this book and be inspired to action!
Author of INCLUSION ON PURPOSE
This book helped spark a totally new way to think about how we position our product in the market. While it's clear the authors are experts in the field, this book is all about practical, simple things you can do to have a bigger impact with your work.
CEO & Founder at Ren, Good Authority Podcast
Seeing things that others don't will become increasingly valuable as AI flattens the world. This entertaining read won't just teach you how to be more observant, it also shows you how to sell your insights with stories that stick.
Co-author of THE FUTURE NORMAL
If you are a business leader looking to disrupt the status quo this book is for you. Rohit and Ben are brilliant story tellers that bring real life use cases to life. Their SIFT method becomes the beginning of non-obvious thinking for critical thinkers across any industry. A practical and enjoyable business book for anyone looking to expand their mind and their point of view.
Globally Recognized Chief Medical Officer, Technologist, and Bestselling Author of DEAD WRONG
BRING THIS THINKING TO YOUR STAGE
Rohit turns the four steps in this book into a keynote on how anyone can learn to think in more non-obvious ways.
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Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world.
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