THE PRACTICAL THINKER

Think clearly. Solve better. Land the argument.

A three-book series for anyone who needs to solve problems, explain their thinking, and make their case. Whether you're designing diagrams, solving wicked problems, or walking into a meeting where you need to be heard, these books give you the practical tools and frameworks you need.

Diagrams That Speak book cover Well, That Didn't Work book cover Arguments That Land book cover

The Books

Diagrams That Speak book cover

Diagrams That Speak

A Practical Guide to Visual Communication

Learn to create diagrams, visualizations, and visual explanations that actually work. This guide teaches you to think visually and communicate clearly, regardless of your design background.

Topics include:

Visual Thinking Diagram Design Data Visuals Fixing Bad Diagrams Practical Exercises
Well, That Didn't Work book cover

Well, That Didn't Work

A Practical Guide to Solving Problems (Even the Ones You Created)

When things go wrong, you need a way to think through what happened and what to do next. This guide provides frameworks and thinking tools for solving all kinds of problems, from everyday obstacles to truly wicked challenges.

Topics include:

Problem Definition Lateral Thinking Decision-Making Collaboration Wicked Problems Speed Solving
Arguments That Land book cover

Arguments That Land

A Practical Guide to Making Your Case

You've done the work. You know the answer. But somehow the meeting ends with "let's revisit this next quarter." This guide gives you a five-check pre-flight system for making your case in meetings, emails, and conversations where the stakes are real and the room isn't on your side yet.

Topics include:

Pre-Flight Checklist Steelmanning Reading the Room Evidence Selection Losing Well Worked Examples
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The Framework

Hang On.

Three questions. One of them will unstick you.

The trigger: "Well, that didn't work..."

The Hang On Framework diagram — showing three left turns (representing three diagnostic questions) that together equal one right turn toward your destination

Q1

Am I even going the right way?

You're solving the wrong problem

Q2

Do I need a different road?

Right problem, wrong approach

Q3

Do I just need to start driving?

You're overthinking instead of acting

Download the free one-page reference guide from Resources

How the Books Work Together

See the Problem

Well, That Didn't Work teaches you to define, reframe, and diagnose problems. Diagrams That Speak shows you how to make them visible.

Think It Through

Well, That Didn't Work gives you the analytical and creative toolkit. Diagrams That Speak teaches you to communicate your thinking to others.

Land the Argument

Arguments That Land gives you a pre-flight checklist for the moment you walk into the room. Because being right is not enough — the room has to hear it, believe it, and act on it.

Don't wait until your ideas are clear to draw. Draw to make them clear.