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A review by carriekellenberger
Invisibles: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Workplace by David Zweig
3.0
Behind every huge success is a team of invisible people who help make it a success. These people are fine working outside of the limelight, but there is no denying that without them around, most things wouldn't move forward without their expertise. In this book, David Zweig provides many fine examples of Invisibles, people who receive little to no credit for the work that they do despite their skill, expertise, and knowledge to their craft.
Zweig covers a range of Invisibles such as a lead engineer on some of the world's tallest skyscrapers, an interpreter for the UN, a wayfinder expert who ensures travelers know where they're going in airports around the world, Radiohead's guitar technician, and many more examples. He meets each expert and details the meticulous work that they do to ensure they are meeting demands and exception.
By Chapter 6, I felt this book was getting repetitive. I thought the follow-up to the rock band guitar technician's story with a concert piano tuner was a bit too similar to the previous chapter and after that it all sounded familiar. That's why I've marked it down to three stars. I still enjoyed this book though and recommend it if you are a fan of Susan Cain's Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
I loved the comparisons the author draws between highly individualistic societies like the United States and their tendency to seek praise, recognition, and glory and Asian societies which are collectivist cultures that have individuals embedded within their group identity.
“As I researched an article for The Atlantic that served as a launch point for this book, speaking to many people, characteristics of Invisibles began to crystallize. Fascinatingly, I found they all consistently embody Three Traits: 1) Ambivalence toward recognition 2) Meticulousness 3) Savoring of responsibility”― David Zweig, Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
“Nearly everyone I know under forty (including myself) it now seems is some combination of amateur photographer, DJ, filmmaker, writer, and craft maker of some sort. Much of what’s produced is good, but few devote the necessary time to make something truly great.”
― David Zweig, Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
“there is the growing notion that we, as individuals, are actually brands to promote.”
― David Zweig, Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
Zweig covers a range of Invisibles such as a lead engineer on some of the world's tallest skyscrapers, an interpreter for the UN, a wayfinder expert who ensures travelers know where they're going in airports around the world, Radiohead's guitar technician, and many more examples. He meets each expert and details the meticulous work that they do to ensure they are meeting demands and exception.
By Chapter 6, I felt this book was getting repetitive. I thought the follow-up to the rock band guitar technician's story with a concert piano tuner was a bit too similar to the previous chapter and after that it all sounded familiar. That's why I've marked it down to three stars. I still enjoyed this book though and recommend it if you are a fan of Susan Cain's Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
I loved the comparisons the author draws between highly individualistic societies like the United States and their tendency to seek praise, recognition, and glory and Asian societies which are collectivist cultures that have individuals embedded within their group identity.
“As I researched an article for The Atlantic that served as a launch point for this book, speaking to many people, characteristics of Invisibles began to crystallize. Fascinatingly, I found they all consistently embody Three Traits: 1) Ambivalence toward recognition 2) Meticulousness 3) Savoring of responsibility”― David Zweig, Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
“Nearly everyone I know under forty (including myself) it now seems is some combination of amateur photographer, DJ, filmmaker, writer, and craft maker of some sort. Much of what’s produced is good, but few devote the necessary time to make something truly great.”
― David Zweig, Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
“there is the growing notion that we, as individuals, are actually brands to promote.”
― David Zweig, Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion