New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath asks what happens when we take our thinking
upstream and try to prevent problems before they happen. Why 'solve' crimes when we could stop
them being committed? Why treat chronic diseases when they could be prevented from developing?
Why provide shelter for the homeless rather than working to keep people housed in the first
place? Why do our efforts skew so heavily towards reaction rather than prevention? We all have
a tendency to work around problems. We are resourceful. We improvise. We're so accustomed to
managing emergencies as they strike that we often don't stop to think about how we could
prevent crises before they happen. The notion of preventing problems is an evergreen need in
our professional and daily lives. Which makes Upstream a book for skeptical optimists - across
all sectors - who know it's not going to be easy but who believe that we have the capacity to
solve some of our thorniest issues if only we start to think about the system rather than the
symptoms. Drawing on insights from Dan Heath's extensive research as well as hundreds of new
interviews with unconventional problem solvers he delivers practical solutions for preventing
problems rather than simply reacting to them. 'Packed with vivid stories and practical examples
Upstream is the rare book that can both revitalize your business and make our world a better
place.' - Daniel H. Pink No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of When Drive and To Sell Is
Human 'Informs engages and above all entertains.' - Charles Duhigg bestselling author of
The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better
