The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking by Roger L. Martin

What’s the main idea? 

In business (and other aspects in life), we often face choices between two options that seem, on the face, to be opposites. This binary A/B choice is often an illusion, and by applying the right balance of “mastery” and “originality,” we can shift from an either/or decision to a both/and. 

Is it compelling? 

Not really. Martin starts with the analogy of opposable thumbs, and compares our unique ability to apply pressure between our thumb and forefinger to a business leader using two seemingly opposing choices to find a new solution. It’s not a good analogy, more confusing than illuminating. Likewise, I found the central “integrative thinker knowledge system” illustrated in the book (below) to be clunky and not very integrated, ironically.

Much of the book felt this way—familiar concepts, not much to argue against, but a slightly clunkier version of things I’d seen before. Don’t accept false dichotomies. Seek a balance of experience and innovation. Challenge existing models; assess the situation and develop a new model for it. All fine, but nothing struck me as particularly innovative. 

But how are the case studies? 

The case studies, a result of a series of interviews Martin conducted (including an 8-hour interview of A.G. Lafley), have some interesting nuggets, but they don’t feel cohesive. Some of the stories are underwhelming. A.G. Lafley, challenged with naming a new liquid laundry detergent, bucked the convention of developing a new brand and simply called it Liquid Tide. Not a bad decision, for sure, but not a story that makes you go, Damn. Brilliant!

That said, the individual stories here are the most interesting part. The book falls down in the synthesis. The coinable phrase, based on a simple idea, delivered in an easily repeatable framework, supported by entertaining and insightful case studies, that unlocks a whole new world of possibilities—the Holy Grail of business books—this isn’t it.