Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite

Referring to his first book, It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be, Arden describes himself as "author of world's bestselling book," ably demonstrating one nugget of wisdom to be found in his latest: "Great people have great egos; maybe that's what makes them great." Otherwise, the book suggests that Arden is less a great person (or a great author) than a great former creative director at advertising powerhouse Saatchi and Saatchi. In the restrictive, often repetitive genre of management by aphorism, Arden is an original: master of the snappy maxim and eye-catching graphic, Arden advocates unconventional thinking, skipping college, taking risks, being outrageous and failing dramatically. Missing is a page in this book emblazoned "Take my advice with a grain of salt," or "Triumph for an advertising copywriter may be disaster for an accountant." Nevertheless, Mr. Arden's books are a pleasure to peruse. His writing is spare, clever, brisk and pointed. Illustrations are clean and witty. Think you whatever, this book is a natty little addition to the business bookshelf.
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Paul Arden was an author and the Executive Creative Director of the prolific advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. He attended Beckenham Art College and worked for agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather and Doyle Dane Bernach before landing at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1979 as an art director. In his 14 years at the agency he developed major campaigns for British Airways, Toyota, Nivea, Fuji, and more. His three self-help books—It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be; Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite; and God Explained in a Taxi Ride—focus on strategies for business and personal growth. He died in 2008.