The Winner Effect: Power and the Brain

Study Notes

The book "The Winner Effect" is written by Ian H.Robertson and explores the consequences of power on the brain, covering social hierarchies to dictators.
The book discusses how power manifests itself in life and people, explaining 99% of why people act in a certain way in society.

Paulo Picasso, Pablo's son, was not successful despite his father's success, illustrating that successful parents do not guarantee successful children.
Two reasons for this anomaly: successful people have a physical drive to succeed, and intrinsic motivation is essential for achievement.
Extrinsic motivation, such as money, is not a strong motivator, and people who work for personal satisfaction tend to achieve more.
Intrinsic motivation can be learned and encouraged through praise and encouragement, especially in children.

The book explains why people act in certain ways, including why lifespan can be mapped along London's subway stations.
It discusses why people hate their jobs, micro-management, and why some become tyrannical.
The book covers the consequences of power on the brain, but the delivery is disorganized and overly simplifies complex theories.

The book's content is excellent, but the delivery is poor, making it a long and annoying read.
The author makes mistakes, such as attributing Britain's decision to go to Iraq to "one testosterone-filled prime-minister" and oversimplifying complex historical events.
Despite its flaws, the book's concepts are significant and worth discussing, making it recommended reading for those who need to navigate power dynamics.