Athena Training and Consulting

Athena Training and Consulting

  • Menu
  • Account
  • Home
  • Program
    Offerings
    • Coaching
    • Communication
    • Human Capital Solutions
    • Individual and Team Assessments
    • Leadership
    • Microsoft Office Training Programs
    • Sales and Customer Service
    • Specialty Programs
    • Team Development
    • Webinars, e-learning & Virtual Teams
    • Wellness, Health & Safety
  • Perfect Fit
    System
    • Vision – Mission
    • Who Are We
    • Why Athena? Clients Say it best…
    • Perfect Fit Process
    • Cindy Stradling
  • Alliance
    Partners
  • Clients
  • Join
    the Alliance
  • Blog
  • Contact
LET’S GET SOCIAL
  • Member Login

“Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell

  • Home
  • “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell
  • Articles
  • 2007
  • “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell

“Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell

2007, Articles
811 Views

April 1, 2007

“Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell is number 4 on the Globe and Mail’s list of best selling non-fiction books.  

 

What were the thoughts that came into your mind as you read that sentence? Did you form an opinion about Blink? Well, those instant judgements or decisions are precisely what Blink is about: those first impressions and the thinking that takes place the instant we see something for the first time.

 


As is pointed out in the book, many of us were raised to think before we act and therefore, don’t always trust our first impressions. One of the goals of the book is to “convince you of a simple fact: decisions made quickly can be every bit as good as decisions made cautiously and deliberately.” Blink is filled with a number of convincing examples to help drive that point home.

 

On the opposing side, Malcolm Gladwell also provides a number of examples of where the first impression was incorrect and we’re reluctant to change our position despite evidence to the contrary. A young curator at the Getty Museum, involved in one of his first purchases for the museum, came to close to purchasing a fake. Despite having examined the piece for over a year, and being a true expert in his field, the curator was fooled by what he wanted to believe. The purchase was only cancelled when a world-class expert viewed the statue and knew instantly it was a fake. Blink tries to provide a better understanding of why such a phenomenon occurs: why the subconscious can seem to work against us.

 

Finally, Gladwell wants to “convince you that our snap judgements and first impressions can be educated and controlled”. He believes developing more accurate first impressions is a skill that can be learned. He uses a very powerful example of a veteran police officer who had lived through many violent encounters over his career. While many of the incidents took mere seconds to unfold, the officer had been able gather all sorts of information, information vital to his safety as well as the safety of others. It was as if the officer had been able to slow down time and see the event almost like a movie, frame by frame. That he could remember anything at all is almost beyond comprehension but this officer had trained his eye and his mind, to capture and retain information at a very rapid pace.

 

Blink is a very entertaining read although a bit repetitive. The concepts are easily understood and perhaps it would have been a crisper read if the book was shorter.  Definitely worth a look.


Share this post
Tips For Creating a Dynamic Speech
Book Report – Tipping and Blinking

Search

About Athena

  • Perfect Fit Process
  • Vision – Mission
  • Who Are We
  • Why Athena?
  • Perfect Fit System
  • Cindy Stradling

Alliance Partners

  • Clients
  • Join the Alliance
  • Privacy Policy

Program Offerings

  • Coaching
  • Communication
  • Human Capital Solutions
  • Individual and Team Assessments
  • HR Consulting
  • Leadership
  • Microsoft Office Training Programs
  • Sales and Customer Service
  • Specialty Programs
  • Team Development
  • Webinars, e-learning & Virtual Teams
  • Wellness, Health & Safety

Cindy Stradling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppG0kCMfH4g

Our Clients Say

We have had the pleasure of working with Cindy Stradling to source several top notch consultants to assist us with the design and delivery of a variety of Learning and Development and HR Programs. This this successful collaboration we have truly appreciated Cindy's very high standards for members of her network, the drive and energy she brings to her work and most importantly her strong commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of her clients.

Deborah A. Fillippe, CHRL VP Human Resources Kenaidan Contracting Ltd.

Cindy has been a terrific resource to Metro! She met with us to clearly understand our needs then provided us with a shortlist of top-quality trainers for us to meet. The whole process was simple and seamless, and it saved us a lot of time in sourcing companies with specific skill sets. She's a pleasure to work with.

Gary Grant, CHRL Director, Talent Management and Training Metro Inc.

Cindy provides a very progressive and engaging training environment. We have seen her successfully provide solutions to companies and individuals from all sectors, from the sophisticated to entry level. The integrity she applies to all aspects of her business is beyond reproach.

Al Diggins President and GM Excellence Manufacturing Consortium

Cindy has been engaged by Express Scripts Canada to provide Presentation Skills training to our management team. Cindy's expertise in this area has been invaluable in supporting our leaders with their leadership development in their presentation styles.

Anthea Gomez Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services Express Scripts Canada

Cindy is the epitome of positive energy! I didn't just work with Cindy at Duplium; I continue to keep in touch with Cindy because she is a wealth of knowledge and always a delight to catch up with. If you need something or someone, just ask her, she will get it done! She embodies the unique combinations of integrity, commitment and resourcefulness. Thank you Cindy for all the times you gave me just what I needed!

Susan Orenbach Senior Human Resources Professional

We engaged Cindy to help us develop a leadership training program and provide our management with one on one coaching. Cindy's professionalism, ability to understand our challenges and develop an innovative, cost effective training program in a timely manner was truly impressive. I recommend and welcome the opportunity to work with Cindy.

Marina Lichtenberg National Manager, Talent Acquisition Canon Canada - "Your gateway to a dynamic career with Canon"

Copyright 2018 | ATHENA TRAINING AND CONSULTING