Invisibles : The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion

**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. An Inspiring Look At The Hidden Stars Who Perform Essential Work Without Recognition. Expanding From His Acclaimed Atlantic Article, What Do Fact-checkers And Anesthesiologists Have In Common? David Zweig Explores What We Can All Learn From A Modest Group He Calls Invisibles. Their Careers Require Expertise, Skill, And Dedication, Yet They Receive Little Or No Public Credit. And That's Just Fine With Them. Zweig Met With A Wide Range Of Invisibles To Discover First Hand What Motivates Them And How They Define Success And Satisfaction. His Fascinating Subjects Include... - A Virtuoso Cinematographer For Major Films. - The Lead Engineer On Some Of The World's Tallest Skyscrapers. - A High-end Perfume Maker. - An Elite Interpreter At The United Nations-- American Swing -- Ambivalence To Recognition -- Devotion To Meticulousness -- Savoring Responsibility -- Flow And The Power Of Expertise With Effort -- Fame, Success, And The Myth Of Self-promotion -- The Singular Vision And The Art Of Collaboration -- Mastery Of Craft In Service To A Front Man -- The Balance Of Pride And Humility -- When The Invisible Becomes Visible -- The View Of Invisibles Across Cultures. David Zweig. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 233-242) And Index. An inspiring look at the hidden stars in every field who perform essential work without recognition In a culture where so many strive for praise and glory, what kind of person finds the greatest reward in anonymous work? Expanding from his acclaimed Atlantic article,'What Do Fact-Checkers and Anesthesiologists Have in Common?'David Zweig explores what we can all learn from a modest group he calls'Invisibles.'Their careers require expertise, skill, and dedication, yet they receive little or no public credit. And that's just fine with them. Zweig met with a wide range of Invisibles to discover first hand what motivates them and how they define success and satisfaction. His fascinating subjects include: • a virtuoso cinematographer for major films. • the lead engineer on some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. • a high-end perfume maker. • an elite interpreter at the United Nations. Despite the diversity of their careers, Zweig found that all Invisibles embody the same core traits. And he shows why the rest of us might be more fulfilled if we followed their example. In an increasingly crass culture where everyone seems to be a preening self-promoter, David Zweig stands up for competent team players - the understated people who make sure that skyscrapers don't collapse, that you're properly anesthetized for surgery and that UN speeches get translated accurately. Zweig introduces readers to a number of "Invisibles," little-known professionals and craftspeople with crucial roles in society. He makes a compelling case for emulating this breed of careful, responsible, largely unrecognized leaders. Zweig may take his case a bit too far. Some Invisibles he profiles are highly paid jet setters who rub elbows with the rich and famous. His underlying assumption that everyone everywhere - except a narrow slice of focused introverts - seeks his or her own reality show and a million Twitter followers seems a bit of a stretch. getAbstract recommends his study of diligent workers to the self-employed, the ambitious but shy careerist, budding craftspeople and managers looking for a different idea of true success "An inspiring look at the hidden stars who perform essential work without recognition. Expanding from his acclaimed Atlantic article, "What Do Fact-Checkers and Anesthesiologists Have in Common?" David Zweig explores what we can all learn from a modest group he calls "Invisibles." Their careers require expertise, skill, and dedication, yet they receive little or no public credit. And that's just fine with them. Zweig met with a wide range of Invisibles to discover first hand what motivates them and how they define success and satisfaction. His fascinating subjects include ... - a virtuoso cinematographer for major films. - the lead engineer on some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. - a high-end perfume maker. - an elite interpreter at the United Nations"-- Provided by publisher