Westward

Inspiration for Optimists

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Fall ‘19 Mind-Mover

Now, we're reading this.

Synopsis Explore new strategies for conquering uncertainty and bolstering creative thinking with Iris Firstenberg—Professor at UCLA Anderson and the UCLA Department of Psychology—and her work Extraordinary Outcomes: Shaping an Otherwise Unpredictable Future. Co-authored with her father, a UCLA Engineering professor emeritus, Extraordinary Outcomes offers a roadmap on how best to build coalitions, create agility and learn from setbacks.

About the Author Iris Firstenberg (B.A. '78, M.A. '81, Ph.D. '83) is both a Professor in the UCLA Department of Psychology and the UCLA Anderson School of Management. With a background in cognitive psychology, Dr. Firstenberg specializes in strategies for creative problem solving and innovative thinking. She frequently conducts custom on-site courses and seminars for organizations on the topics of creativity and innovation.

Firstenberg is the recipient of the 2002 UCLA Department of Psychology Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award and the 2011 UCLA Extension Distinguished Teaching Award.

Summer ‘19 Mind-Mover

Just finished a really good one...

Synopsis Dr. Rakesh Sarin—Professor of Decisions, Operations & Technology Management at UCLA Anderson—presents Engineering Happiness, a fascinating work that fuses 10 years of research focused on identifying the laws that govern happiness with the latest thinking in management science, psychology and economics. Co-authored with one of his former UCLA students, Engineering Happiness has something to offer those at any stage of life—regardless of background, profession or aspiration—who want to better understand, control and attain a more joyful life.

About the Author Rakesh Sarin has been a member of the UCLA Anderson faculty since 1979 and was awarded the Paine Chair in Management in 1990. His theoretical interests include preference theory, decisions under uncertainty and equity, and fairness in decision-making. In addition to his work on happiness, Dr. Sarin has developed models that have found applications in project evaluation, new product development decisions, and analyzing risks to human health and the environment. He also served as the editor-in-chief of Decision Analysis, a peer-reviewed journal, and as a consultant to several private and public organizations.

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