Decision-Making Books & Podcasts for Every Level
Recommended resources to improve your decision-making.
This is the resource list I wish I’d had earlier.
I have organised into three levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Each level has a book and a podcast so you can learn in whatever format suits you.
Work through in order or jump straight to the level suitable for you.
Beginner
Book: Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke
This is always my first recommendation to everyone. Excellent introduction to thinking probabilistically and understanding decisions as a prediction of an uncertain future.
Podcast: Choiceology
Probably the most accessible podcast on decision-making. Does a great job of blending the science of decision-making with engaging stories and good production.
Intermediate
Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Most of the popular modern psychology books were inspired by this. It is not the best reading experience (long, dense, and challenging to finish) but there is a lot of wisdom about human behaviour in this book.
Podcast: The Decision Education Podcast
This is a good step up from Choiceology. The website is useful as it provides a transcript and show notes for each episode, including links to resources relevant to that episode’s content.
Advanced
Book: Judgment in Managerial Decision Making by Max H. Bazerman and Don A. Moore
Probably the highest value per word resource you can get on decision-making. There is a reason this is used so widely in universities and business schools. It is essentially a textbook so it isn’t bedtime reading (includes decision exercises).
Podcast: The Decision Corner
In-depth interviews with academics and industry experts. Similar to the Decision Education podcast but slightly less approachable. Unfortunately the podcast is no longer active but there is still 40+ hours of content to listen to.
Thank you for reading.
If you want to think more carefully about how you make decisions, this newsletter is free. Every Monday morning, something short to help you start the week deciding a little better.
If you are interested in understanding about the decision process more generally, I recommend reading my decision framework.