One Plus One Equals Three

By: Daman Lobana'25

Photo courtesy of Barnes & Noble

As I explore the digital landscape, I constantly find myself surrounded by snippets of podcasts, movies, and talks specializing in motivational thinking, ranging from affirmations to imperatives, while looking at success stories and transformative personal narratives. Another medium that has emerged from the motivational content genre is self-help books, which I was disinterested in exploring due to their oversimplified messaging and repetitive nature. However, looking to expand my horizons, I stumbled upon One Plus One Equals Three by Dave Trott, a delightful read. As the title suggests, the book emphasizes the concept that the sum of two ideas can be greater than individual parts—that by combining them in expected ways, truly magnificent achievements can be seen. The book is a masterclass in creative thinking and problem-solving, delivered through personal anecdotes and feel-good success stories.

The book is divided into sections, each summarized by common sayings such as "Disaster is a Gift" or "Value of Ignorance." Within these sections, there are multiple stories that reinforce these ideas. For example, in his "Regret is Worse than Embarrassment" section, he shares the story of a frustrated digital-effects worker at Disney who envisioned 3D animations, was subsequently fired, but went on to pitch and complete his groundbreaking idea—Toy Story—at Steve Jobs' new animation company Pixar. Another fascinating tale in the "Letter of the Law" section recounts a mysterious plane crash in the Congo wilderness, triggered by mass panic after passengers spotted a baby crocodile on board. Each chapter exemplifies lateral thinking and reveals opportunities in unexpected places. I appreciated Trott's ability to simplify complex problems into elegant solutions. His engaging, conversational tone makes each story's conclusion resonate deeply with readers, encouraging thoughtful reflection on his messages.

A particularly compelling story features Arsenal soccer player Ian Wright. In his early career, Wright struggled to become a professional footballer, facing rejections from numerous soccer clubs across England. His prospects kept diminishing as he approached his late twenties despite attempting various trials and training programs. While working at a refinery, he continued playing amateur soccer on weekends, driven by his passion. A Crystal Palace scout discovered and encouraged him to try out for the club. Though initially hesitant, Wright accepted after his supervisor's encouragement. Free from the pressure of his previous trials, he played for his passion and happiness. His natural talent shone through, leading to a signing with Crystal Palace and eventually a transfer to Arsenal, where he became a legendary goal scorer and won numerous championships.

Trott even effectively draws examples from his own life. He can be refreshingly honest about his own learnings and failures, using them as opportunities to illustrate innovative thinking. This kind of vulnerability and self-awareness make him an incredibly relatable and engaging guide when it comes to creative problem-solving. For example, to prevent his son from swinging on the banisters in his school, Trott taught him safe falling techniques on a carpeted four-step staircase. Once his son utilized the falling techniques several times, he realized how painful they can be, which prompted him to stop later.

In conclusion, I highly recommend One Plus One Equals Three to anyone looking to inject creativity and lateral thinking into their work. Trott's insights are applicable anywhere—whether you're a designer, an entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a good brain teaser, there is always something valuable to be gleaned from these pages.