Want to Make Better Decisions? Pretend You’re Someone Else. episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 21, 2025 · 14 MIN

Want to Make Better Decisions? Pretend You’re Someone Else.

from The Next Big Idea Daily · host Next Big Idea Club

Conventional wisdom says that great leaders roll up their sleeves, get in the trenches, and sweat the small stuff. But what if that’s only half the story? According to former nuclear submarine captain L. David Marquet and organizational psychologist Michael A. Gillespie, the real superpower of great leaders isn’t proximity — it’s distance. In their new book, Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions, they show that stepping back — psychologically, emotionally, imaginatively — helps leaders strip away bias, see what truly matters, and make smarter choices. 📱 Follow The Next Big Idea Daily on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen 📩 Want more bite-sized insights from the best new nonfiction delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Book of the Day newsletter

Conventional wisdom says that great leaders roll up their sleeves, get in the trenches, and sweat the small stuff. But what if that’s only half the story? According to former nuclear submarine captain L. David Marquet and organizational psychologist Michael A. Gillespie, the real superpower of great leaders isn’t proximity — it’s distance. In their new book, Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions, they show that stepping back — psychologically, emotionally, imaginatively — helps leaders strip away bias, see what truly matters, and make smarter choices. 📱 Follow The Next Big Idea Daily on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen 📩 Want more bite-sized insights from the best new nonfiction delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Book of the Day newsletter

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Want to Make Better Decisions? Pretend You’re Someone Else.

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This episode was published on August 21, 2025.

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Conventional wisdom says that great leaders roll up their sleeves, get in the trenches, and sweat the small stuff. But what if that’s only half the story? According to former nuclear submarine captain L. David Marquet and organizational psychologist...

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