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Think of a Number

In: Winning Minds

Author

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  • Simon Lancaster

Abstract

Peter Mandelson once said that most people don’t understand statistics or, if they do, they think that they are bullshit. He had a point. Half of British adults do not have the mathematical skills expected of an 11 year old.1 Numbers just don’t work for a lot of people. I’ve worked with high-profile people who regularly confused millions and billions, even in press conferences: most of the time, the journalists didn’t notice either. Research shows that the brain is only capable of processing seven bits of data at a time.2 Nevertheless, so many modern leaders think you’re not leading effectively if you don’t have a never-ending blitzkrieg of stats up your sleeve.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Lancaster, 2015. "Think of a Number," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Winning Minds, chapter 0, pages 199-202, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-137-46594-8_24
    DOI: 10.1057/9781137465948_24
    as

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