Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries - Softcover

"A fascinating and revealing journey through the real-life dynamics of the creative process. Vividly written and bustling with examples from comedy to architecture, "Little Bets" is a wonderful example of itself: a big idea that takes shape through many small discoveries. I highly recommend it for anyone with a serious interest in cultivating creativity in business, education or in their own lives."

""Little Bets" is a timely and compelling book that will change the way you think, a roadmap to success in the 21st century. And, a very enjoyable read."--Peter Georgescu, former CEO of Young & Rubicam

"I have always believed that constant innovation is core to success. The methods Peter Sims provides in the highly engaging "Little Bets" will help you challenge the status quo and discover extraordinary new possibilities in whatever endeavor you're engaged in."--Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO, Starbucks

"Want a big idea? Start little. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an artist, Peter Sims shows you how big breakthroughs start with little bets."--Chip Heath, author of Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard

"I really can't say enough about this book;" Little Bets" rings so true to my own experience at Teach For America. Peter Sims does a huge service by showing the world how big entrepreneurial and innovative successes come to be -- and in the process reveals ways of thinking that aren't the product of anything elusive or enigmatic but rather of traits we can all learn and foster, such as openness, inquisitiveness, and perseverance."--Wendy Kopp, CEO and Founder, Teach for America

"Peter Sims buries the myth that big talkers with brains and big ideas move industry and science forward. This modern masterpiece demonstrates that the most powerful and profitable ideas are produced by persistent people who mess with lots of little ideas and keep muddling forward until they get it right. "Little Bets" is easily the most delightful and useful innovation book published in the last decade."--Robert I. Sutton, Professor, Stanford University, New York Times bestselling author of Good Boss, Bad Boss

"With examples that range from traditional businesses to stand-up comedians, Peter Sims shows that the path to big success is lined with small failures. Behind every breakthrough idea is often a host of experiments that flopped -- and Sims shows how to leverage these "little bets" to produce lasting results. This is a powerful and practical book."--Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and Drive

"In "Little Bets", Peter Sims convincingly argues that we need a new model of creativity, focused around gradual improvement and constant innovation. If you're not learning while doing, Sims points out, then you're probably doing it wrong."--Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide

"Peter Sims' exciting new book, "Little Bets", is replete with stunning insights about innovation and the remarkable benefits of backing many creative initiatives that yield the big breakthrough. Corporate leaders everywhere can benefit from his sound advice."--Bill George, Professor, Harvard Business School and Author, True North

"'Little Bets' is a big idea. Here's my bet: if you're passionate about innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, you need to read this book!"--Alan M. Webber, Co-Founding Editor, Fast Company magazine, Author, Rules of Thumb

What do Apple CEO Steve Jobs, comedian Chris Rock, prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, and the story developers at Pixar films all have in common? Bestselling author Peter Sims found that rather than start with a big idea or plan a whole project in advance, they make a methodical series of little bets, learning critical information from lots of little failures and from small but significant wins.

Reporting on a fascinating range of research, from the psychology of creative blocks to the influential field of design thinking, Sims offers engaging and illuminating accounts of breakthrough innovators at work, and a whole new way of thinking about how to navigate uncertain situations and unleash our untapped creative powers.