Overview

What do fact-checkers, anesthesiologists, U.N. interpreters, and structural engineers have in common? When they do their jobs poorly, the consequences can be catastrophic for their organizations. But when they do their jobs perfectly . . . they're invisible. For most of us, the better we perform the more attention we receive. Yet for many ""Invisibles""--skilled professionals whose role is critical to whatever enterprise they're a part of--it's the opposite: the better they do their jobs the more they disappear. In fact, often it's only when something goes wrong that they are noticed at all. Millions of these Invisibles are hidden in every industry. You may be one yourself. And despite our culture's increasing celebration of fame in our era of superstar CEOs and assorted varieties of ""genius""--they're fine with remaining anonymous. David Zweig takes us into the behind-the-scenes worlds that Invisibles inhabit. He interviews top experts in unusual fields to reveal the quiet workers behind public successes. Combining in-depth profiles with insights from psychology, sociology, and business, Zweig uncovers how these hidden professionals reap deep fulfillment by relishing the challenges their work presents. Zweig bypasses diplomats and joins an elite interpreter in a closed-door meeting at the U.N., where the media and public are never allowed. He ascends China's tallest skyscraper while it's still under construction, without the architect, guided instead by the project's lead structural engineer. He even brings us on stage during a Radiohead concert, escorted not by a member of the band, but by their chief guitar technician. Along the way, Zweig reveals that Invisibles have a lot to teach the rest of society about satisfaction and achievement. What has been lost amid the noise of self-promotion today is that not everyone can, or should, or even wants to be in the spotlight. This inspiring and illuminating book shows that recognition isn't all it's cracked up to be, and invisibility can be viewed as a mark of honor and a source of a truly rich life.

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9798200620463

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Reviews

""An encouraging salute to the world behind the scenes, where the 'Invisibles' allow the show to go on...The author's vignettes really drive the point home. Guitar tech, fact checker, piano tuner, cinematographer, ghostwriter, et al.--it is workmanship, curiosity, demanding internal standards, deep immersion, and cooperative instincts that bring a rewarding life. In Zweig's fascinating world, the limelight doesn't hold a candle to the satisfaction of hard work well done."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""In his nonfiction debut, journalist Zweig presents an entertaining, good-natured exploration of the mindsets and psyches of 'invisibles'--people whose passions have required years of training and experience, but who happily toil in obscurity for the love of the work itself...The book's strength is in Zweig's portraits of those dedicated workers behind the scenes...The author's genuine respect for his subjects shines through and keeps these stories lively."" -- ""Publishers Weekly"" ""Top business book to read in 2014: Invisibles explains why some of the world's most talented, accomplished people choose to fly under the radar...It's a clarion call for work as a craft, for generously sharing knowledge without hogging credit and prizing meaningful work above public recognition. An excellent book."" -- ""Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author"" ""Zweig's stint as a fact checker at a magazine no doubt inspired him to look closely at the unsung, behind-the-scenes workers he calls the Invisibles...[He] touches on philosophy, religion, and psychology in exploring the satisfaction derived from work exceptionally well done in contrast to the noisy self-promotion now prevalent...and uses the profiles to offer some quiet and thoughtful space to consider the inner value of high-quality work."" -- ""Booklist""

"""An encouraging salute to the world behind the scenes, where the 'Invisibles' allow the show to go on...The author's vignettes really drive the point home. Guitar tech, fact checker, piano tuner, cinematographer, ghostwriter, et al.--it is workmanship, curiosity, demanding internal standards, deep immersion, and cooperative instincts that bring a rewarding life. In Zweig's fascinating world, the limelight doesn't hold a candle to the satisfaction of hard work well done."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""In his nonfiction debut, journalist Zweig presents an entertaining, good-natured exploration of the mindsets and psyches of 'invisibles'--people whose passions have required years of training and experience, but who happily toil in obscurity for the love of the work itself...The book's strength is in Zweig's portraits of those dedicated workers behind the scenes...The author's genuine respect for his subjects shines through and keeps these stories lively."" -- ""Publishers Weekly"" ""Top business book to read in 2014: Invisibles explains why some of the world's most talented, accomplished people choose to fly under the radar...It's a clarion call for work as a craft, for generously sharing knowledge without hogging credit and prizing meaningful work above public recognition. An excellent book."" -- ""Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author"" ""Zweig's stint as a fact checker at a magazine no doubt inspired him to look closely at the unsung, behind-the-scenes workers he calls the Invisibles...[He] touches on philosophy, religion, and psychology in exploring the satisfaction derived from work exceptionally well done in contrast to the noisy self-promotion now prevalent...and uses the profiles to offer some quiet and thoughtful space to consider the inner value of high-quality work."" -- ""Booklist"""

Author Information

Coming soon... Sean Pratt, a working actor for over twenty-five years, has performed at numerous regional theaters around the country. He is the author of To Be or Wanna Be, and he has recorded over seven hundred books in just about every genre, earning eight AudioFile Earphones Awards and four Audie Award nominations. Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been narrating since 1996 and has recorded over six hundred audiobooks. He is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award and has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His critically acclaimed performances include Elvis in the Morning by William F. Buckley Jr. and Searching for Bobby Fischer by Fred Waitzkin, among others.

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