The Yellow Pad

Making Better Decisions in an Uncertain World

By: Robert E. Rubin

Narrated by: Fred Melamed, Robert E. Rubin

Robert Rubin, former secretary of the Treasury and co-chairman of Goldman Sachs, shares thoughts on decision-making developed over more than six decades in markets, business, government, and politics, and offers listeners an astute and original guide for navigating uncertain times

In 1958, as a college sophomore, Robert Rubin took a class that changed his life. The class was introduction to philosophy, and the professor, Raphael Demos, instilled in his students an idea that was simple yet profound: There is no such thing as certainty. For Rubin, this led to a critically important question: How can we make sound decisions in a fundamentally uncertain world?

While serving in some of the most significant roles in markets, business, and government, Rubin has grappled with that question. Time and again, when faced with a high-stakes decision, he turned to his most trusted tool: a simple yellow legal pad. Rubin’s yellow pad (or more recently, his iPad) became an expression of a larger decision-making philosophy that has both lasted and shaped a lifetime. In The Yellow Pad, Rubin lays out that philosophy with depth and detail, and presents a compelling intellectual framework for confronting some of the most difficult issues we face today.

The Yellow Pad contains a former Treasury secretary’s approach to economic policymaking. A former Goldman Sachs senior partner’s approach to personal investing and understanding risk. A former director of the National Economic Council’s approach to managing people in both private- and public-sector organizations. And much more. Yet despite his lifetime of experiences, Rubin remains refreshingly open-minded, interested in exploring ideas rather than promoting ideologies. With its combination of wisdom and relevance, The Yellow Pad is an essential guide for anyone looking to make better decisions in life, work, and public policy.

©2023 Robert E. Rubin (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“As Secretary of the Treasury in the last decade of the 20th century, Robert Rubin presided over what we can now see as an unusually prosperous and stable era in American life. Now, drawing on his years in government and in the private sector, Rubin offers us an astute, valuable, and illuminating guide to decision-making and, in a sense, to life itself in an uncertain world."—Jon Meacham, author of And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

“Robert Rubin’s exuberant praise for a classics professor who taught him how to think about thinking in a world of uncertainty is a powerful reminder of the importance of studying humanities. This engaging, eloquent, and accessible work provides an invaluable guide not only for decision makers in government and business but for all of us in our daily lives.”—Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Leadership: In Turbulent Times

“In The Yellow Pad, Bob Rubin makes the compelling case for pragmatism over emotion and ideology, and offers practical advice for everyone who has to make difficult decisions in a complicated world.”—Anne Applebaum, author of Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

Part memoir, part decision making

The book was not focused on the decision making process using the yellow pad. It spent considerable time discussing the author's personal views. It read to me like part memoir and part decision making. In addition, if you have come across probabilistic decision making before, it wouldn't be a new idea.

Great Lessons For Life from a Proven Leader

Rubin’s examples were very helpful and explained his points either great lucidity. Well written book.

Excellent read

Great read for young people who would like to deal with complex problems in the future. The writing is very clear. As an older person, I had wished that this wisdom was shared when I was much younger and I could have more actively used some of Mr. Rubin’s ideas in my executive role,

Good read

I enjoy the book. It’s a little long, but it presents a nice way to look at things.

Star with outcome and then look at the probability of getting that outcome

The info about specific stories is more than needed to convey the message the book promises

Insider view of the history we lived

Hear interesting views and one insiders side of history. A modified Ben Franklin process for deciding and uncovering different outcomes. Time well spent listening.

Great Yellow Pad for Businesses

Great business strategy and group communication discussions.
But I grew tired of the Progressive politics push…just too much.

Secretary Rubin is great!

Like his honesty, sincerity and authenticity. Organize to a point tjat will teach us how to think and asking the foundational questions.

Politically driven and lacks insight

Very disappointed with the book. Overall a politically driven narrative with little insight into how the reader applies any understanding.