Stephen J. Dubner Quotes

At the end of the day, leaders have to come up with pragmatic solutions that work

Never send interim reports only final ones. Interim reports tend to elicit orders. Which you must then either obey, or spend valuable time and energy evading, which you could be using to solve the problem.

One of the things Mr. Kennedy taught me was that in laying out a new project, you shouldn't try to cope with every little problem.

The successful business executive can handle challenges and solve problems at a remarkable clip.

Everything has to be well thought out - what do you really need, when can you do with less coverage.

Solving big problems is easier than solving little problems.

One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.

Getting rid of a problem in one area improves the situations in ten areas.

The way I try to simplify my job is that I have two lists - I have a list of all the crazy, interesting problems that I get to solve every day or that need to be solved, and I have a crazy list of things I'd like to invent. And I kind of just prioritize them and work my way down, and try to simplify what I do when managing a big company.

You need a different checklist and different mental models for different companies.

Really, we don't look at deals as 'big' or 'small': we look at things that will solve a problem for us.

The more games you play, the more game management you learn.

From my experience, the best advisors help in three ways: encourage you to look at the problem or opportunity from multiple angles; help you balance the tug of the short-term with important long-term priorities; and ask the tough questions you need to know to reach the best solution.

Most business problems, you will have an intuitive idea on what to do.

You have to ruthlessly prioritize.

Where Labor stands idle ... there is a demonstrated deficiency, not of Capital, but of brains.

One of the few greatest satisfactions of this life is to handle problems efficiently and well.

If you spend a lot of time thinking about your problems, they'll grow bigger and stronger. Is that what you want? Of course not!Instead, focus on your goals. Start your day with them at the front of your mind, and use notes to recall them strategically throughout your day.

Success is a collection of problems solved.

If you’ve got a problem make it a procedure and it won’t be a problem anymore.

Order - the accurate arrangement of things - increases productivity. Productivity decides rewards.

When you have a time of crisis what happens depends on what ideas are floating around, and what ideas have been developed, and thought through, and are made effective.

Procrastinate strategically... Procrastination may be the enemy of productivity but it can be a valuable resource for creativity.

All you can do is every day, try to solve a problem and make your company better

Emma McChesney was engaged in that nerve-wracking process known as getting things out of the way. When Emma McChesney aimed to get things out of the way she did not use a shovel; she used a road-drag.