Sidetracked

Why Our Decisions Get Derailed, and How We Can Stick to the Plan

By: Francesca Gino

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

Psychologist and Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino has long studied the factors at play when judgment and decision-making collide with the results of our choices in real life. In Sidetracked, she explores inconsistent decisions played out in a wide range of circumstances from our roles as consumers and employees (what we buy, how we manage others) to the broader human choices that we make (who we date, how we cultivate friendships). Gino’s research reveals when a mismatch is most likely to occur between what we want to do and what we actually end up doing. What factors are likely to sway our decisions in directions we did not initially consider? And what can we do to correct for these subtle influences?

The answers in Sidetracked to these and similar questions help us better understand the nuances of our decisions and avoid the unconscious obstacles to greater efficiency, satisfaction, and ultimate success.

©2013 Francesca Gino. Recorded by arrangement with Harvard Business Review Press. (P)2014 HighBridge Company

Eye opener

I enjoyed every chapter of this book. One need to spend great deal of time reflecting after reading many of the interesting experiments explained in this book in order to capture the learnings

Too many studies read one after another.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The content is derailed by the overemphasis of reading detail for detail studies rather than emphasis on discussion of conclusions and imitations for practice.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She tried but the content was dry.

Did Sidetracked inspire you to do anything?

I listened but I wish the writer spent much more time on suggestions for application.

Any additional comments?

Important information.

Superb, but wordy

There are a lot of good ideas and usable information in this audio book. It is wordy as an audio presentation because a lot of details about setting up and conducting the experiments is given. However, the material is so good, that it's definitely worth the time.

I was sidetracked by this book

Book Review: Sidetracked: Why Our Decisions Get Derailed, and How We Can Stick to the Plan by Francesca Gino

In Sidetracked, Harvard professor and psychologist Francesca Gino dives into the surprising ways our decisions can veer wildly off track. Her premise is simple, that seemingly tiny factors can steer us in directions we never planned to go. While the idea itself has major appeal, especially for anyone interested in understanding their own behaviors better, the execution doesn’t quite hit the mark.

What Works

Gino is great at making big concepts feel intelligible and even relatable. She explains complicated ideas in a way that is easy to understand, making this book a quick read even for people who aren’t familiar with behavioral science. Her stories, drawn from both everyday situations and the business world, are interesting and often fun to read. For example, she explores how subtle cues in our environment, like lighting or room temperature, can have an unexpected impact on our choices. These insights can be eye-opening for anyone who’s ever questioned the “why” behind certain decisions.

Her section on how others influence us is also on point. Gino looks at how we’re constantly affected by the people around us, not only through direct peer pressure but through subtle signals that nudge us to act in certain ways. For instance, how we sometimes align with a group’s opinions without realizing it, though it’s not what we believe. Some concepts demonstrate how little control we often have over our own choices, which can be both shocking and refreshing to realize.

What Falls Short

Where the book stumbles are in the depth of its arguments and the strength of its evidence. While the examples Gino shares are relatable, they’re also basic and don’t seem robust enough to make a compelling case. Many of her experiments seem straightforward to the point that they feel a bit staged without adequately proving her points. For instance, some of the studies she uses to demonstrate how small factors affect big decisions come off as a bit thin on scientific rigor, which could leave readers feeling unconvinced, even distrustful.

Then there’s the issue of audience—it's not clear who is the intended audience. Is this a self-help book for individuals? A collection of insights for professionals and business leaders? This lack of direction can be confusing. Some parts feel like they’re meant for the general reader who wants to improve personal decision-making, but when she jumps to business cases, it’s hard to see how these fit together in any practical way. The cases from the business world aren’t detailed enough to offer serious solutions for professionals, and this might disappoint readers who came looking for strategic, actionable advice.

The book doesn’t deliver much in “how to stick to the plan,” as the subtitle promises. There’s some advice on avoiding decision traps, but it often feels like basic common sense rather than the product of groundbreaking research. Gino could have provided a stronger set of strategies or a clear framework to make it all more actionable—something that would give readers a clearer way to counteract decision pitfalls in real life.

Final Take

Sidetracked is an interesting, easily digestible read that introduces the hidden forces behind our choices, and Gino’s expertise shines through in the way she makes these ideas feel understandable. Where the book seems promising, it doesn’t dig deep enough to leave a lasting impact. If new to behavioral science, Sidetracked is an enjoyable overview; if you’re looking for something more strategic with practical tips, you might find yourself, well, sidetracked.
- Submitted By (Butler, Consolazio, George, Karibayeva, Kesler)