Number 25. From 37signals, the company behind the project management software called Basecamp. Classiv American thinking: think, debate, persuade … decide, then commit and support. One of the founders, Jason Fried, is a very interesting person.
rapid, imperfect
Apollo 13 (1995). When an oxygen tank explodes on the spacecraft, NASA’s ground team and the astronauts must make a series of rapid, imperfect decisions to bring the crew home safely. The film highlights how quick thinking, adaptability, and the willingness to improvise are valued over waiting for perfect solutions. The mantra “failure is not an option” underscores the urgency and necessity of fast action.
instinctive decision-making
Sully (2016). Based on the real-life Miracle on the Hudson, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger makes a split-second decision to land his disabled plane on the Hudson River. The film shows how immediate, instinctive decision-making can save lives, and that reviewing and correcting decisions can come later.
quick thinking
The Apprentice. Contestants are thrown into high-pressure business challenges where quick thinking and immediate action are rewarded. Success often depends on making fast decisions, adapting on the fly, and learning from mistakes, rather than waiting for perfect solutions. The show’s format reinforces the idea that speed and resilience are more valuable than perfection.
Harvey Specter
Suits. In the fast-paced world of corporate law, Harvey Specter and his colleagues frequently make bold, rapid decisions to outmaneuver opponents and seize opportunities. The show emphasizes that waiting for perfect information can mean losing the case or the client, while fast decisions-even if risky-can be corrected or spun to advantage.
repetitive, patient, routine
With a Little Patience (Türelem, 2007). Although a short film and Hungarian by production, With a Little Patience has been recognized in German-speaking film circles for its meditative style and thematic resonance. The film’s narrative unfolds slowly, focusing on the repetitive, patient routine of an office clerk. The deliberate pacing and refusal to rush action or resolution underscore the virtue of patience, both in daily work and in facing larger, more dramatic events outside the office window. The film’s approach and critical acclaim highlight how patience and waiting can be central to both personal and collective outcomes.
cheese
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. This business fable is about adapting quickly to change. The characters who succeed are those who make fast decisions and act, rather than waiting for perfect information or circumstances. The story is widely used in American business to encourage employees to embrace quick, adaptive decision-making.