In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, where decisions are made in the blink of an eye, the ability to think clearly can set successful leaders apart. Deepinder Goyal, the CEO and co-founder of Zomato—a global restaurant discovery and food delivery platform—knows this better than anyone. His leadership style, grounded in data-driven decisions and innovation, has propelled Zomato through challenges to achieve remarkable growth.

Regarding the key to his mental clarity, Goyal turns to a particular book—a work that has shaped his thinking and become one of the most gifted items in his collection. In a recent podcast with TRS Clips Hindi, Goyal revealed that The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli is his go-to recommendation. This profound book explores the biases, logical fallacies, and cognitive errors that often cloud judgment, offering readers practical insights to think more rationally.

Goyal’s admiration for this book speaks volumes about his commitment to thoughtful, calculated decision-making. Let’s delve into why The Art of Thinking Clearly is his most gifted book and how its lessons can empower us all to make better choices.

Why The Art of Thinking Clearly?

Rolf Dobelli’s The Art of Thinking Clearly is an insightful guide to recognising and avoiding common cognitive biases that can skew our decision-making. The book consists of 99 short chapters, each dedicated to a specific bias or mental shortcut that often leads us astray. For anyone in a leadership position, these insights are invaluable.

Deepinder Goyal has repeatedly mentioned how the book’s principles have shaped his thinking. It has helped him improve his decision-making processes and navigate the complexities of running a global business. By understanding how cognitive biases like confirmation bias, anchoring, and the availability heuristic affect judgment, Goyal has enhanced his strategic thinking and made more objective decisions—especially when leading a fast-growing tech company like Zomato.

For example, Goyal often stresses the importance of detaching personal feelings from business decisions. This is directly influenced by the book’s chapter on affect heuristic, which discusses how our emotions can cloud our judgment. Understanding this concept has empowered Goyal to make more rational, data-driven decisions for Zomato’s growth trajectory.

Lessons from The Art of Thinking Clearly for entrepreneurs

The book offers a treasure trove of lessons that entrepreneurs and leaders can apply to their own decision-making. Here are some key takeaways that resonate with Deepinder Goyal’s approach to leadership:

Recognising cognitive biases

One of the primary lessons from the book is learning to identify cognitive biases in our thinking. Entrepreneurs are often faced with high-stakes decisions, and these biases can influence those choices in detrimental ways. Whether it’s overconfidence bias leading to risky investments or sunk cost fallacy influencing us to continue with a failing project, the ability to spot these biases is crucial. Goyal’s ability to make quick yet informed decisions likely stems from his understanding of these biases.

The importance of objective thinking

Dobelli emphasises the need for clear, objective thinking. For someone like Deepinder Goyal, whose role demands clarity and strategic foresight, this lesson is critical. He often discusses the importance of focusing on long-term vision rather than short-term gratification. The book’s insights into the planning fallacy and hindsight bias help avoid the trap of over-optimism or second-guessing decisions in retrospect.

Avoiding groupthink

As an entrepreneur, Goyal has faced moments when the desire for consensus within a team could have swayed critical decisions. The Art of Thinking Clearly highlights the dangers of groupthink, where teams or organisations make decisions to align with the majority opinion rather than rational, independent thought. Goyal’s commitment to fostering a culture of independent thinking at Zomato is likely influenced by this key lesson.

Learning from mistakes

Dobelli also explores the halo effect, which can make us overly positive about people or ideas based on initial good impressions. Entrepreneurs, especially in high-pressure environments, must recognise when they are being influenced by initial success or failure, and make adjustments accordingly. For Goyal, learning from both successes and failures has been vital in scaling Zomato to where it stands today.

How Deepinder Goyal lives by the book’s principles

Deepinder Goyal’s leadership style is a testament to the lessons he has internalised from books like The Art of Thinking Clearly. He has managed to keep Zomato focused on its mission of delivering value to customers while constantly evolving to meet market demands. In interviews, Goyal has discussed how focusing on rational thinking has helped him cut through the noise and stay focused on what truly matters for the company.

Moreover, Goyal’s approach to building Zomato is rooted in learning from both failures and successes. For instance, during Zomato’s expansion into international markets, Goyal maintained a clear perspective, avoiding common mistakes such as overexpansion or mismanagement. He took the time to understand each market’s unique needs, relying on data and objective analysis instead of relying on gut feelings or biases.

Additionally, the principles from The Art of Thinking are evident in Zomato’s product development cycle. The company’s ability to pivot and iterate on its offerings—from restaurant discovery to food delivery and table reservations—reflects a commitment to making clear, well-thought-out decisions.

The influence of The Art of Thinking Clearly on his leadership

Goyal’s admiration for this book is clear, and it’s not just about intellectual curiosity. The Art of Thinking has been instrumental in shaping the decision-making framework at Zomato. In a world where leaders are constantly bombarded with information and competing interests, the ability to think clearly and avoid cognitive traps is invaluable. Goyal’s focus on rational decision-making and data-driven strategies aligns perfectly with the lessons Dobelli offers in his book.

By gifting this book to colleagues and peers, Goyal is passing along the tools that have helped him succeed. It’s a reflection of his leadership philosophy—empowering others to think critically, make informed decisions, and avoid mental shortcuts that could cloud judgment.

Deepinder Goyal’s favourite and most gifted book, The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli, serves as more than just a personal favourite—it’s a crucial tool for entrepreneurs and leaders alike. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to think clearly and objectively is vital for making informed decisions that shape the future.