Book Info..!!
Title: The Seven Deadly Stupidities [Using Other People’s Failures to Make Better Decisions]
Author: George Pillari
Pages: 265
Genre: Self-Help
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
About Author..!!
George Pillari has appeared on CNN, and been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post.
George was an EY Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year. As an undergraduate, he co-founded a company with two professors at “The Johns Hopkins University”. The company grew to more than 1,000 employees, went public, and traded on the NASDAQ. It is now part of IBM’s Watson Artificial Intelligence business.
He went on to work as a crisis manager at more than 100 companies and was a source of truth for a company’s board, investors, and lenders. In these high-leverage decision-making situations, Mr. Pillari identified the errors in judgment and poorly constructed decision-making models that were consistently present in businesses that were failing and organized them into The Seven Deadly Stupidities.
George has a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from the Whiting School of Engineering at The Johns Hopkins University.
Book Synopsis..!!
Crisis manager George Pillari takes the reader through a series of real-life case studies to show us that decision making in tense situations is a skill to be learned and perfected. Different from most business books that talk about recipes for success (improve your habits, be more productive, etc.), Stupidities highlights what you need to avoid in order to be successful.
The chapter-by-chapter format lets the reader thumb through and pick the order to read the book. The summary of each stupidity includes lessons learned and advice on how to avoid the stupidity and “be smarter.”
We are twice as likely to respond to negative events than positive ones. Pillari uses this behavioral sciences insight to guide the reader through how to learn from the failures of others and become a better decision-maker.
The Seven Deadly Stupidities:
- Going for the Moonshot
- Surrendering to FOMO
- Relying on Family and Friends
- Being Blinded by the Upside
- Trusting the Media
- Using Quick and Dirty Thinking
- Neglecting to Measure Twice
My Thoughts..!!
“It’s good to learn from your mistakes. It’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes.” ~Warren Buffet
When I picked up The Seven Deadly Stupidities by George Pillari, I was intrigued by its approach. Unlike most books that focus on achieving success, this one is all about learning from the big mistakes others have made. Pillari’s message is clear: avoiding common errors can be as powerful as seeking success.
The book outlines seven types of major mistakes—or “stupidities”—that people often fall into, even those who are smart and successful.
Book Prelude..!!
The structure of the book makes it easy to read at any pace, with short, standalone chapters in each section. Pillari’s writing style is direct and engaging, making complex ideas accessible without being oversimplified.
Book Intrigue..!!
The author uses real-life case studies to illustrate each of these “stupidities,” covering examples from across business, science, and popular culture. I found the sections on moonshot thinking and FOMO especially interesting. For example, he explains how “moonshots,” or ambitious, high-risk goals, can lead to disaster when not properly planned, using both Elon Musk’s successes and Webvan’s failure as examples.
To Highlight..!!
His take on FOMO—how people rush into investments or trends out of fear of missing out—hit home. The Theranos case, with all its hype and eventual downfall, is a stark example of how this kind of thinking can backfire.
Accolades..!!
What I liked most about The Seven Deadly Stupidities is how it pushes you to reflect on your decision-making process. Seeing how even highly successful people make avoidable mistakes makes me more aware of my potential blind spots.
End Note..!!
If you’re looking to improve your judgment and avoid common traps, I’d definitely recommend this book—it’s a useful and thought-provoking read that stays with you long after you finish.
It’s okay to fail because you learn so much
This book review is in association with the BookSirens Review Campaign
Links & FootNote..!!
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