When we think back on our life, we recall defining moments. Our first kiss. Graduating from college. Walking down the aisle after being married.
Apart from these, we tend to believe that special moments are serendipitous. The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath debunks that myth – defining moments can be created, and we don’t have to wait for them to happen.
My favorite quote from the book is this:
Beware of the soul-sucking force of reasonableness. Otherwise, you risk deflating your peaks.
Maximizing peaks in moments often means reasonableness needs to be thrown out the window. Unfortunately, many high-impact moments are sacrificed on the altar of “practical”.
A good thought exercise for a world living in the experience economy: where can I elevate peak moments to deliver maximum impact?
Here is my brief book summary and key takeaways from The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath:
- There are 4 distinct types of moments: moments of elevation, moments of insight, moments of pride and moments of connection.
- When we remember an experience, we remember the flagship moments: peaks, pits and transitions. We forget the rest.
- Powerful defining moments contain all four of the primary sensory appeals: elevation, insight, pride and connection.
- I loved the part about “Aha!” moments (insight) and how to create an environment where they can happen: deliver a 1) clear insight that is 2) compressed in time and 3) discovered by the audience themselves.
- “Tripping over the truth” is a powerful catalyst for change.
- Mentorship summed up in the framework of moments of insight: “I have high expectations for you and I know you can meet them. So try this new challenge and if you fail, I’ll help you recover.”
- Milestones elicit moments of pride. Multiplying milestones transforms a one-time win into a continuous system of winning.
- Purpose trumps passion. Moments of connection to a unified purpose far outlast spurts of passion from misaligned parties.
- The more you deepen ties, the more likely you are to create moments of connection.
Many experiences are fertile soil for creating defining moments. Leaders must recognize the opportunities and take action on making them happen.
Something to ponder while you read: creating special moments is important, but if everything is special, nothing is. Carefully consider the most impactful areas where you can apply these principles as you read the book.
This business book (applicable to life too) is well worth your money and time. It’s an investment, not an expense.
You can find links for the print and audio books below.
Buy the Book Buy the Audiobook
