Upstream

The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen

By: Dan Heath

Narrated by: Dan Heath

Wall Street Journal Bestseller

New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath explores how to prevent problems before they happen, drawing on insights from hundreds of interviews with unconventional problem solvers.

So often in life, we get stuck in a cycle of response. We put out fires. We deal with emergencies. We stay downstream, handling one problem after another, but we never make our way upstream to fix the systems that caused the problems. Cops chase robbers, doctors treat patients with chronic illnesses, and call-center reps address customer complaints. But many crimes, chronic illnesses, and customer complaints are preventable. So why do our efforts skew so heavily toward reaction rather than prevention?

Upstream probes the psychological forces that push us downstream—including “problem blindness,” which can leave us oblivious to serious problems in our midst. And Heath introduces us to the thinkers who have overcome these obstacles and scored massive victories by switching to an upstream mindset. One online travel website prevented twenty million customer service calls every year by making some simple tweaks to its booking system. A major urban school district cut its dropout rate in half after it figured out that it could predict which students would drop out—as early as the ninth grade. A European nation almost eliminated teenage alcohol and drug abuse by deliberately changing the nation’s culture. And one EMS system accelerated the emergency-response time of its ambulances by using data to predict where 911 calls would emerge—and forward-deploying its ambulances to stand by in those areas.

Upstream delivers practical solutions for preventing problems rather than reacting to them. How many problems in our lives and in society are we tolerating simply because we’ve forgotten that we can fix them?

Critic reviews

"Author Dan Heath's narration of this absorbing audiobook sounds as smooth and self-assured as his writing. He's mastered the art of creating spellbinding narratives and questions, followed by fascinating research summaries and well-organized insights. With the sound of his youthful engagement in full song from start to finish, Heath explains how individuals and institutions can become less reactive to problems and more focused on anticipating their causes and preventing them. Heath's examples are wide ranging—from social problems like school dropout rates to management, health, and interpersonal dilemmas. . . . the audio as a whole has a curious power that will inspire listeners to become more proactive about life's large and small problems."

It was fabulous

One of the best books I’ve heard in awhile. I really appreciate thinking that way.
I loved the parable at the beginning; it really clearly explains whole idea for anyone who asks what the book I’m reading is about, so thank you.
Alison Schuback

Great narration!

It's like this book was made to be narrated aloud. There was a very nice lecture-like feel that made it very easy to digest and pleasure to get through the material. Highly recommended selection.

Great book

What a great leadership and problem solving book. Teaches a lot of great principles and teaches you to get out of tunnel vision. Recommend to leaders at all levels.

Thinking ahead Genius

Nothing at all.. great book I would recommend it to anyone in the business world

Thanks for the book

Inspiring, thought provoking

Makes complex issues understandable, injects bits of humor. Easy listen, but still educational. Provided some ideas and metaphors to help me personally and professionally

required reading

This should be required reading for every leadership team. I highly recommend this thoughtful book.

Insightful overview of problem solving

From "problem blindness" to "who pays for what doesn't happen", an excellent overview of the challenges solving complex system problems and the techniques to address you can use to address them.

Read and Listen--Again

This book is a must read/listen for every dreamer, planner, organizer, future-thinking, person, organ
ization and company. Should be reread and discussed over and over.

Helpful and inspiring

How to help lead the improvements to your world that you know we need but seem too big.

Excellent guide on how to think of prevention

This book contained wonderful examples of how to use data, evidence, and broad-based coalitions to inform action that have the potential to improve the lives of many. Great illustrative stories--this is a reading must for public health students!