Why I Write Books
To turn what research reveals about human behavior into something leaders can use.
Rebel Talent. Why it Pays to Break the Rules at Work and In Life
Rebels have a bad reputation. We think of them as troublemakers, outcasts, contrarians. But in truth, rebels are also those among us who change the world for the better with their unconventional outlooks. Instead of clinging to what is safe and familiar, and falling back on routines and tradition, rebels defy the status quo. They are masters of innovation and reinvention.
After more than a decade studying rebels at organizations around the world, from high-end boutiques in Italy’s fashion capital, to the world’s best restaurant, to a thriving fast food chain, to an award-winning computer animation studio, I’ve identified leaders and employees who exemplify “rebel talent,” and whose examples we can all learn to embrace. We live in turbulent times, when competition is fierce, reputations are easily tarnished on social media, and the world is more divided than ever before. In this cutthroat environment, cultivating rebel talent is what allows businesses to evolve and to prosper.
Since its publication in 2018, the book has been translated into more than a dozen languages—including Italian, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese—and is available as an audiobook.
ONE OF FORBES’ TOP 10 CREATIVE LEADERSHIP BOOKS FROM 2018
ONE OF INC.’S 10 MOST INSPIRING BOOKS OF 2018
STRATEGY + BUSINESS BEST BUSINESS BOOKS OF 2018
800-CEO-READ BESTSELLER
“Francesca Gino is one of the world’s most productive and creative social scientists. And with this book, she shows that she’s also one of the most persuasive. She makes a powerful and convincing case that letting loose our inner troublemaker can open up new vistas of creativity and problem-solving power.”
– DANIEL H. PINK, New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive
“Great stories, great science, and great practical advice about how, when, and why to break the rules.”
– ANGELA DUCKWORTH, New York Times bestselling author of Grit
“Francesca Gino is the best kind of rebel: the one who doesn’t just break the rules, but invents a better way. In this enthralling, carefully researched book, she shows you how to become one—and unleash the inner rebel in others too.”
— ADAM GRANT, New York Times bestselling author of Originals, Give and Take, and Think Again
Why Our Decisions Get Derailed, and How We Can Stick to the Plan
Reaching your goals takes more than dreaming big and working hard. It takes knowing how to avoid getting sidetracked. In this book, described as a “remarkably useful… delightful romp,” I identify the hidden influences that knock people off their path, and offer concrete advice, backed by psychological research, for getting where you want to go in life.
Since its publication in 2013, the book has been translated into more than a dozen languages — including Italian, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese — and is available as an audiobook.
“This engaging, beautifully written, and thought-provoking book is a must read for anyone who wants a deep understanding of how decisions get so easily derailed, and advice on how to stick to well-thought out plans. A truly entertaining journey that will keep you turning pages through the very end.”
– SUSAN CAIN, New York Times bestselling author of Quiet and Bitter Sweet
“Francesca Gino is one of the smartest and most insightful decision researchers in the field. Her clever research informs every page of this book and it will change the way you think about decision making.”
– CHIP HEAT, New York Times bestselling author of Made to Stick and Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
“Sidetracked is a scary, remarkably useful, and delightful romp. Scary because it shows how our imperfect brains can mess-up our decisions and our lives. Remarkably useful because it shows us how to thrive and triumph despite these imperfections. Delightful because Francesca Gino’s wisdom, quirky charm, and world-class smarts enrich every page.”
— BOB SUTTON, New York Times bestselling author of Good Boss, Bad Boss and The No Asshole Rule