Upstream Audiobook By Dan Heath cover art

Upstream

The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Upstream

By: Dan Heath
Narrated by: Dan Heath
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.99

Buy for $14.99

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

New York Times best-selling author Dan Heath explores how to prevent problems before they happen, drawing on insights from hundreds of interviews with unconventional problem solvers.

So often in life, we get stuck in a cycle of response. We put out fires. We deal with emergencies. We stay downstream, handling one problem after another, but we never make our way upstream to fix the systems that caused the problems. Cops chase robbers, doctors treat patients with chronic illnesses, and call-center reps address customer complaints. But many crimes, chronic illnesses, and customer complaints are preventable. So why do our efforts skew so heavily toward reaction rather than prevention?

Upstream probes the psychological forces that push us downstream - including “problem blindness,” which can leave us oblivious to serious problems in our midst. And Heath introduces us to the thinkers who have overcome these obstacles and scored massive victories by switching to an upstream mindset. One online travel website prevented 20 million customer service calls every year by making some simple tweaks to its booking system. A major urban school district cut its dropout rate in half after it figured out that it could predict which students would drop out - as early as the ninth grade. A European nation almost eliminated teenage alcohol and drug abuse by deliberately changing the nation’s culture. And one EMS system accelerated the emergency-response time of its ambulances by using data to predict where 911 calls would emerge - and forward-deploying its ambulances to stand by in those areas.

Upstream delivers practical solutions for preventing problems rather than reacting to them. How many problems in our lives and in society are we tolerating simply because we’ve forgotten that we can fix them?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Dan Heath (P)2020 Simon & Schuster
Organizational Behavior Personal Success Social Psychology & Interactions Mental Health Inspiring Customer Success
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Upstream

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,151
  • 4 Stars
    279
  • 3 Stars
    69
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    11
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,040
  • 4 Stars
    185
  • 3 Stars
    37
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    963
  • 4 Stars
    228
  • 3 Stars
    56
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    12

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It was fabulous

One of the best books I’ve heard in awhile. I really appreciate thinking that way.
I loved the parable at the beginning; it really clearly explains whole idea for anyone who asks what the book I’m reading is about, so thank you.
Alison Schuback

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration!

It's like this book was made to be narrated aloud. There was a very nice lecture-like feel that made it very easy to digest and pleasure to get through the material. Highly recommended selection.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

What a great leadership and problem solving book. Teaches a lot of great principles and teaches you to get out of tunnel vision. Recommend to leaders at all levels.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thinking ahead Genius

Nothing at all.. great book I would recommend it to anyone in the business world

Thanks for the book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring, thought provoking

Makes complex issues understandable, injects bits of humor. Easy listen, but still educational. Provided some ideas and metaphors to help me personally and professionally

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

required reading

This should be required reading for every leadership team. I highly recommend this thoughtful book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful overview of problem solving

From "problem blindness" to "who pays for what doesn't happen", an excellent overview of the challenges solving complex system problems and the techniques to address you can use to address them.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read and Listen--Again

This book is a must read/listen for every dreamer, planner, organizer, future-thinking, person, organ
ization and company. Should be reread and discussed over and over.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Helpful and inspiring

How to help lead the improvements to your world that you know we need but seem too big.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent guide on how to think of prevention

This book contained wonderful examples of how to use data, evidence, and broad-based coalitions to inform action that have the potential to improve the lives of many. Great illustrative stories--this is a reading must for public health students!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!