Braking Point : How Escalation of Commitment is Destroying the World (and How You Can Save Yourself)

STOP TRYING TO OUT-CRAZY THE CRAZIES! Lately, we've been hearing a lot about things "escalating" - in a bad way: Disagreements between friends and lovers escalate into screaming matches and threats, iffy investments and bad bets escalate into financial ruin, crazy conspiracies escalate into an attempt to overthrow the United States government… One way or another, we have fallen victim to "escalation of commitment" - better known as EOC. We are hard-wired to make mountains out of molehills, pour gasoline on a fire, spiral out of control, go over the edge, cross the line, and say things better left unsaid. And, like lemmings racing over a cliff, we seem almost fated to go too far. Despite reason and common sense telling us to quit while we're ahead, to cut our losses, to get out while we can, something keeps us escalating the crazy. We just step on the gas and speed up the irrational. EOC is pervasive, insidious. From the decisions we make in our personal lives and careers to those made by businesses, organizations, and nations. EOC rules. At best, if we're lucky, maybe reality sets in (hopefully), but only after tremendous investments have been squandered - or irreparable damage has been done. Fortunately, EOC can be avoided - even stopped. By understanding specific EOC motivations and effective strategies to diminish them, more effective decision-making can result. With this in mind, Braking Point offers a detailed look at why we often get swallowed up in EOC scenarios and how we can avoid them. It's an essential resource for anyone looking to enhance their decision-making capabilities in any area of their life.