Customer Reviews

A Whole New Mind

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I read A Whole New Mind shortly after it was published, because I had enjoyed Dan's previous book, Free Agent Nation. As a college professor, speaker and consultant, I like to share what I read with others.

When I discuss important trends with my students, I always include information from AWNM. That is why I was so pleased to discover this DVD. In less than an hour, Pink provides an entertaining, yet clear and concise, overview of the core message from his book. I've shown it to a number of my classes already and there is always a great response from the students.

If you haven't read the book, this video is a great introduction. If you've read the book and want a short refresher, this is just what you are looking for.

Be very, very careful with whom you share this video because it can change how people view the work place and their lives. This is an excellent introduction to Dan Pink's ideas about what will be valued in the near future and why it is important to grasp the concepts now.
Also, a word of warning - make certain that the local library has a copy because once folks know that you have it, they'll want to view it and share it with their peers.

This DVD is a great intro to Daniel Pink's book of the same title. It gives an overview of the concepts and stories from the book while NOT giving too much away. I watched it before I read his book and it helped to build some background knowledge and prepared me for what was to come in his book!

In my review of the book on which this DVD is based, I mentioned that the whole left-brain, right-brain dichotomy is an oversimplification. Yet, it's still a useful model. Some people are better at procedural, logical, analytic activities, while others do better at induction and pattern recognition.

The thesis of A Whole New Mind is that we need both. The original book makes a comprehensive case, including exercises for left-brain-leaning folks to give their right sides a workout.

If you think this might have some validity, but it all sounds a bit too touchy-feely for you, this DVD can help you quickly get an introduction to the basic concepts. In about an hour, Daniel Pink covers the basics of his ideas, and he does so in a very nice, engaging style. I'm a professional speaker myself, and I recognize good work. His presentation skills are quite good.

Then if you are intrigued, I'd encourage going on to the book, which will take a few hours to digest, and you might end up investing quite a bit more than that if you like some of the suggested exercises.

I got the DVD because I liked the book and knew some colleages who would probably respond better to the video. I wasn't disappointed; I've recommended it to several.

One thing I didn't mention in my review of the book - going through these concepts was stimulating and fun. I read a lot of books on design and user interaction (because that's part of my work), but they're usually pretty dry and it's a chore to get through them. But both the book and the DVD did a good job of meshing interesting concepts with fun ways of thinking about them.

I am already a Daniel Pink fan after Free Agent Nation and The Adventures of Johnny Bunko. A Whole New Mind is another very good, thought-provoking book. Pink shows his own talent for Symphony when he names the six skills that will define success in the 21st century -- Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning. Pink offers vivid descriptions and examples for each, as well as a "Portfolio" with exercises and resources to try.

Take a drawing class. Learn to read faces. Walk a labyrinth. Write your own caption for New Yorker comics. These are among the many suggestions Pink offers for developing these traits. For these alone, the book is fun. A Whole New Mind would be a great pick for a book club looking for group activities -- there is no shortage of suggestions in this book.

The colorful arguments throughout the book -- including that the MFA is the new MBA -- are equally entertaining (though sometimes not entirely convincing). Frankly, I can see this book appealing to the MBA looking to stretch more than the artist looking for a new argument for adding value. However, for any artists/ creatives out there looking to enter corporate America or to make your way up the management ladder in whatever business you're in, I would devour this book and use its arguments to support your case.

It is a useful overview of his point of view for those who won't read a whole book. His TED talk is also good [...]

This book was recommended to me by my wife's cousin. Since reading it I have purchased and given copies to release seven of my friends and colleagues.
This is a must for the "new normal" world in which we live.

A realistic, but optomistic view of where we are and where we are going. OUTSOURCING IS NOT BAD... BUT PREPARE YOURSELF! I was inspired and really want to share this product. Well put togethere and a good speaker.

Sincerly, i was expecting more, how ever, I had almost one hour really focus on his concepts and reflecting about it.
It present a hipotesis about the new competences that the new markets will demand. Their concepts are simple, with basis (in some way bias)and innovative.

If you want to think about your actual competences, your thinking style and probabilities about what the world will demand, it is a very good sesion