In "The Halo Effect," Phil Rosenzweig dismantles the intricate web of delusions that dominate business thinking and decision-making. With a sharp eye and a critical mind, Rosenzweig exposes how the allure of simple explanations and the quest for one-size-fits-all formulas can lead managers astray, distorting their understanding of what truly drives company success or failure. Through the lens of the Halo Effect—the tendency to make attributions about specific aspects based on overall impressions—Rosenzweig demonstrates how performance assessments can cloud our judgment, leading us to attribute a company’s success to its strategy, leadership, or culture without a deeper, evidence-based analysis. This thought-provoking book challenges the foundations upon which many business strategies and management practices are built, revealing how popular business literature, including celebrated bestsellers, often rests on shaky ground, promoting storytelling over rigorous thinking. Drawing on examples from renowned companies and dissecting the narratives that have shaped our understanding of business excellence, "The Halo Effect" offers a critical perspective on the realities of business performance. It is an essential read for managers and business leaders seeking to navigate the complex terrain of corporate success with a more discerning and skeptical approach, advocating for a nuanced understanding over simplistic explanations. Rosenzweig’s compelling critique is not just an antidote to conventional business thinking but a rallying call for a more reasoned and evidence-based approach to understanding what truly influences business outcomes.