ANDERSON BOOK CLUB: THE DECISION BOOK
Welcome to the ANDERSON book club! This quarter, we read The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler. It’s a quick but impactful read that explores different decision-making frameworks.
Whether you’re trying to understand your own motivations, navigate team dynamics, or map out long-term goals, this book offers a toolbox of models to help you think more clearly and act more effectively.
Keep reading to see which model each member connected with—and how it applies to their personal or professional life!
Ted
The Thinking Outside the Box Model: So many of the models in this book are things we already use every day, without realizing they have formal names. Thinking Outside the Box was a great example. When we work with clients, it’s easy for them to fall into doing the same things over and over, often with similar or even diminishing results. As an agency, we aim to optimize plans by pushing the boundaries in a thoughtful, incremental way—taking existing ideas or tactics and pushing them just a bit further outside the box.
Sara
The Hersey-Blanchard Model can be applied to the need for flexibility in leadership style. Everyone is at a different stage in their growth. Some need more guidance, others need space to run. This model highlights the need for my leadership style to adapt based on the individual progress of specific team members. It’s not about leading one way all the time; it’s about supporting people in a way that helps them thrive. In our boutique agency environment, where things move fast and change constantly, meeting people where they are makes a difference.
Austin
The Feedback Box Model really clicked for me in my role at ANDERSON because it’s a practical way to approach client notes, campaign performance reviews, and internal feedback. What I appreciate most is that it helps separate the useful from the noise. Instead of taking feedback personally or reacting too quickly, it encourages you to ask, “What can I use here?” It keeps the focus on what needs to change, what’s working, and what can be set aside. In an industry where feedback is constant, this mindset is helpful for all of us.
Lindsey
One model that resonated with me is The Expectations Model, which explores how our expectations impact happiness. It made me reflect on how often I set high standards for myself, others, and how things “should” go. While expectations can fuel growth and fulfillment, there’s a tipping point at which they begin to reduce satisfaction. That hit home. In a fast-paced work environment where we constantly push for better results and quicker timelines, it’s easy to feel disappointed even when things are going well. This model reminded me that letting go of perfection and adjusting expectations can lead to more peace, appreciation, and happiness in both work and life.
Chelsea
I really enjoyed The Feedback Analysis model. I can already think of countless ways to apply it to my professional life, personal goals, and even in my role as a coach. By comparing my expectations with actual outcomes and viewing them side by side, I can recognize which types of feedback are most effective in helping align results with my initial expectations.
Maddy
The Choice Overload Model explores the paradox of choice, revealing how having too many options can make things harder, not easier. I run into this all the time, whether it’s working with clients trying to pick a concept option or just figuring out what I’m going to make for dinner. Too many choices can leave me overwhelmed, frustrated, or worse, stuck doing nothing at all. I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing I can do is limit my options, just to give my brain a break and move forward.
Sailer
The model that resonated with me most was The Yes/No Rule. I’ve always struggled with saying “No,” even when something doesn’t align with my priorities or interests. Too often, I’ve said “Yes” out of guilt or obligation, only to regret it later and feel stuck following through. Now, I take a moment to pause and ask myself: “What are the real outcomes of saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” It’s a simple shift, but it’s helped me make more intentional decisions and respect my boundaries.
Brett
The Project Management Triangle (LOL) stuck out to me for obvious reasons. As Project Manager at ANDERSON, I constantly have to balance budgets and timelines while ensuring we deliver good work. This model maps out three success factors: good, fast, or cheap. While we would always like to achieve all three of these factors, it’s usually only possible to meet two of the three. It’s essential to set realistic expectations and seek solutions when time and budget are limited.
Carson
The model in the book that truly resonated with me on a personal level was The Energy Model. As someone who tends to be anxious, I often spend a lot of time planning for the future, trying to prepare for every possible outcome. But that can sometimes backfire, making it harder to stay present or learn from the past. The Energy Model helps put those habits into perspective by encouraging a more balanced mental approach. I especially appreciated the way it breaks things down into percentages, because for me, turning abstract anxieties into numbers makes them easier to understand and manage.
Allie
I really appreciated the perspective The AI (Appreciative Inquiry) Model offered, not just in my personal life but in a professional setting as well. I tend to be skeptical, often poking holes in situations and looking for alternate routes when problems arise. This model challenged me not to focus on the things that could go wrong, but rather on how things can go right. It’s about seeing opportunity instead of risk. Even something as simple as changing from a “No/Yes, but…” to “Yes, and…” can completely reframe your perspective.
From personal growth to professional insights, The Decision Book sparked some thoughtful takeaways for our team. It’s a great reminder that with the right tools, even the toughest decisions can feel a little more manageable.
