Shane Parrish spoke at Cynosure Group’s Annual Summit, sharing insights on clear thinking, decision-making, cognitive biases, AI, trust, passion, and the power of reflection.
Salt Lake City, Utah - February 27, 2025
The Cynosure Group (Salt Lake City) is a diversified investment firm and family office. In addition to managing the investments of the Eccles family, it also oversees assets for other families, foundations, and endowments. Cynosure’s guiding principle, ‘To Help Good People do Great Things,’ is deeply embedded in its mission.
This week, the Cynosure Group hosted its Annual Summit at two locations in Salt Lake City. The summit’s kick-off event took place at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, where guests enjoyed breathtaking views of the Salt Lake City skyline on a clear night. The evening featured a dinner and a keynote address by New York Times bestselling author and former intelligence officer Shane Parrish, who provided insights on clear thinking, decision-making, and mental models.
In a dynamic conversation moderated by Cynosure’s Managing Director, Herbert E. “Bud” Scruggs, Parrish highlighted the importance of identifying and minimizing blind spots, applying mental models such as reciprocity and compounding, and using writing as a tool for deeper reflection. He also explored the role of AI in enhancing knowledge and decision-making while emphasizing the need for deep, foundational understanding over superficial expertise.
Shane Parrish: From Intelligence to Business
With a background in computer science, Parrish built his career in Canada’s equivalent of the NSA before transitioning into the business world. Quitting his job “without a plan,” he applied his intelligence experience to decision-making and self-improvement, ultimately writing Clear Thinking, a book on overcoming cognitive biases for better decisions.
He also hosts The Knowledge Project podcast, which aims to provide equal access to knowledge.
“I believe in equality of opportunity,” stated Parrish. “I do not believe in equality of outcome, but I do want to make a dent in the world for equality of opportunity. We live in a time where you can leverage the best of what others have figured out and share it with the world.”
Cognitive Biases: Understanding Our Blind Spots
Parrish described cognitive biases as blind spots that distort our perception.
“You have a blind spot—you can’t see it,” he explained. “For example, how fast are we moving? Right now, it feels like we’re still, but if you were standing on the sun, you’d see that we’re moving 18,000 miles per hour. Everything is relative to where you are.”
The key to eliminating these blind spots? Thinking more deliberately. “Most of the time, the problem isn’t that we’re irrational,” he noted. “It’s that we’re not thinking. Instead, we react emotionally or with a desired outcome in mind.”
The Ultimate Behavioral Hack: ‘Go Positive, Go First’
Parrish introduced a powerful mental model: Go Positive, Go First.
“This is the ultimate behavioral hack to get anyone on your team. Go positive—offer value, be kind. Go first—don’t wait for someone else. Many people with potential hold back, waiting for the world to recognize them. But success comes to those who take action first.”
The Two Most Critical Questions
Parrish encouraged the audience to step back from their routines and ask:
To facilitate this reflection, he suggested taking a night or two each December for an annual review. One particularly revealing question: If the most competent person I know took over my life, what would they change immediately? What would they keep?
Lessons from Intelligence: Assessing Trustworthiness
Parrish shared a technique for evaluating potential business partners:
“Some of the smartest people I know set up a small test early in a relationship—an opportunity for the other person to take advantage of them in a minor way. If the person takes the bait, that’s a red flag.”
He advised asking key questions before entering partnerships:
“One pattern I’ve noticed,” he added, “is that I rarely trust someone who frequently complains about their life partner.”
The Importance of Passion
Parrish posed a question to the audience: How many of you have seen someone who wasn’t passionate suddenly become passionate?
Almost no hands went up.
“You can try incentives, training, and motivation, but statistically, it rarely works. It’s far easier to find people who are already passionate and aligned.”
The Role of AI in Learning
When asked about AI’s role in education, Parrish highlighted the difference between superficial and deep knowledge.
“AI is great for providing a quick, functional understanding, but you’re consuming other people’s compressions—you’re not getting the nuance. You need to decide which areas of life require in-depth, fluent knowledge.”
The Power of Writing for Reflection
Parrish stressed the importance of self-reflection and the benefits of writing by hand rather than on a computer.
“If you want to improve your decisions or conversations, just write them down,” he advised. “It sounds trivial, but simple doesn’t mean easy. If you’re making a critical decision—changing jobs, getting married, moving—don’t just think about it. Write it down.”
He concluded with a challenge: “The number one way to improve your thinking is to make yourself think. How many people actually schedule time to think?”
The answer? Not many.
Parrish’s insights resonated with the audience, offering practical strategies for improving decision-making, cultivating trust, and fostering self-awareness. His core message was clear: to navigate an increasingly complex world, we must think deliberately, take initiative, and continuously refine our perspectives.
Learn more about The Cynosure Group here.
Learn more about Shane Parrish and his best-selling book Clear Thinking here.
