Edge
Turning Adversity into Advantage
Published on 28. January 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-349-42227-5 (ISBN)
Description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2021
How do you find a competitive edge when you feel like the world is against you?
How do you get people to take you seriously when they're predisposed not to?
Star Harvard Business School professor Laura Huang has come up against that problem many times - and so has anyone who's ever felt out of place or underrecognised. Many of us sit back quietly, hoping that our hard work and grit will speak for themselves. Or we force ourselves to fit the mold of what we perceive as 'successful', stifling the creativity and charm that makes us memorable.
In this perfect guide for ambitious readers of Amy Cuddy's Presence and Angela Duckworth's Grit looking for the missing piece that will take them to the next level, Huang offers a different approach.
She argues that success is rarely about the quality of your ideas, your credentials and skills or the effort you put in. Instead, it's about how well you shape others' perceptions - about your strengths, yes, but also about your flaws. It's about creating an edge by confronting the factors that seem like shortcomings and turning them into assets that persuade others to take notice.
Drawing from her research on gut feeling, pitching and investment decisions, as well as stories about previously overlooked Olympians, assistants-turned executives and first-time entrepreneurs, Huang shows that success comes from knowing who you are and using that knowledge unapologetically and strategically. This book will teach you how to find your unique edge and keep it sharp.
How do you find a competitive edge when you feel like the world is against you?
How do you get people to take you seriously when they're predisposed not to?
Star Harvard Business School professor Laura Huang has come up against that problem many times - and so has anyone who's ever felt out of place or underrecognised. Many of us sit back quietly, hoping that our hard work and grit will speak for themselves. Or we force ourselves to fit the mold of what we perceive as 'successful', stifling the creativity and charm that makes us memorable.
In this perfect guide for ambitious readers of Amy Cuddy's Presence and Angela Duckworth's Grit looking for the missing piece that will take them to the next level, Huang offers a different approach.
She argues that success is rarely about the quality of your ideas, your credentials and skills or the effort you put in. Instead, it's about how well you shape others' perceptions - about your strengths, yes, but also about your flaws. It's about creating an edge by confronting the factors that seem like shortcomings and turning them into assets that persuade others to take notice.
Drawing from her research on gut feeling, pitching and investment decisions, as well as stories about previously overlooked Olympians, assistants-turned executives and first-time entrepreneurs, Huang shows that success comes from knowing who you are and using that knowledge unapologetically and strategically. This book will teach you how to find your unique edge and keep it sharp.
Reviews / Votes
Edge is for anyone who has found themselves feeling underestimated and unequipped to deal with a tough situation - so, all of us. Huang melds her groundbreaking research with heartfelt stories to show how all of us can - and indeed, must - create our own advantage -- <b>Arlan Hamilton, founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital</b> Edge is a superbly researched, deeply insightful and persuasive book that is destined to be a guidebook for self-empowerment and success. It's truly out of this world -- <b>Terry Virts, former NASA astronaut, International Space Station Commander, US Air Force Fighter Pilot</b> Laura Huang's research on bias and gut feeling has moved the field forward significantly. Not only is she an incredible researcher, she has written a compelling, crucial book that will help readers take control of their toughest challenges with poise and authenticity -- <b>Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, <i>New York Times</i>-bestselling author of <i>Everybody Lies</i></b> Edge is fun to read, beautifully written and resonant - a worthy addition to every entrepreneur's toolbox. Laura Huang is a powerful new voice for those that seek to make a ruckus -- <b>Seth Godin, author of <i>This Is Marketing</i></b> We're all looking for an edge. But where does it come from? In this insightful and accessible book, Laura Huang provides the answers. Be authentic and distinct. Provide value to others. And turn adversity into advantage. Packed with fascinating stories and counterintuitive principles, Edge is a must-read for anyone seeking to stand out from the crowd -- <b>Daniel H. Pink, author of <i>When</i>, <i>Drive</i>, and <i>To Sell Is Human</i></b> This book will change how you navigate your career and overcome obstacles along the way. Do yourself, and those you work with, a favour and read it now! -- <b>Marie Forleo, author of <i>Everything is Figureoutable</i> and founder of B-School</b> When hard work alone isn't enough, what do you do? Edge is an invaluable guide to decoding the biases and harmful perceptions about you and your work that might be standing in your way. Huang masterfully weaves together original research and powerful stories that will leave you newly inspired and empowered to take charge of your biggest challenges -- <b>Susan David, Harvard Medical School psychologist and author of <i>Emotional Agility</i></b>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little, Brown Book Group
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-349-42227-5 (9780349422275)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Laura Huang is an associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Prior to joining HBS, she was an assistant professor of management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Her research has been featured in The Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes and Nature. She has won a number of awards for her research, including a 2016 Kauffman Foundation Fellowship and was named one of the 40 Best Business School Professors Under the Age of 40 by Poets & Quants. Her speaking and consulting clients include Google, Uber, Blackrock, Eldridge Industries, Keystone, Bionic and the Level Playing Field Institute.