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The Freak Factor: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness
Dave Rendall has a radical prescription for chronic Stop working on your weaknesses and start amplifying them instead. The Freak Factor flips the cult of self-improvement on its head with stories of real people who have soared to success by embracing their uniqueness. - Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind David Rendall reclaims the term "freak" for what it is - a powerful, game-changing competitive advantage in life and business. This book will change the way you think about being different, and show you how it's the secret to turning around your career. - Pam Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation The Freak Factor is an important idea, and David Rendall's is a voice to be reckoned with. We should all look to our lives to see how we can accommodate rather than eliminate the freaks! - Nick Morgan, author of Trust Four Steps to Authenticity and Charisma Everything you've read about weakness is wrong.... until now. This book will help you stop trying to be well-rounded and start excelling at what you always knew you were best at. Raise your freak flag and wave it with pride! - Chris Guillebeau, author of The Art of Non-Conformity Are you a freak? Yes, you are, if you want to be extraordinary. In this provocative book, David Rendall shows why being outstanding comes from first standing out. - Sally Hogshead, author, Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation If you are satisfied with your life and have already achieved your potential, then this book is not for you. If you are flawless, then this book won't be very helpful. But if you want more from your career, you have real weaknesses and you're looking for a fresh and unconventional approach to personal transformation, then you're in the right place. Most self-help advice focuses on finding and fixing your weaknesses. Unfortunately, that approach doesn't work. Instead, I want you to flaunt your weaknesses, exaggerate them and amplify them. Sound crazy? It is. And it works. This book will show you how Achieve greater fulfillment in your life and career. Maximize your authenticity and be yourself. Discover your superpowers by uncovering your weaknesses. Create work that fits your unique characteristics. Increase your self-control by improving your fuel efficiency. Cure procrastination with a secret for completing activities you dislike.
196 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
30 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 4, 2019
My coworker handed me this book and said, “you need to read this!” I trust him as a peer but I now question his taste in books. This book is filled with anecdotal stories (many times repetitive) and ideas that seem to contradict themselves. The theme is that it’s good to be a freak. Okay—now what? Well, now you must go out and get your freak on! Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid your weaknesses and build on strengths (sound advice, hence the two stars). But every paragraph was a different story about someone who did something to build themselves up. Nothing to do with freakness (or uniqueness). The author suggests that it’s good to have ADD, ADHD, or even dyslexia. Many of the quotes in the book were from movies, television shows, and songs. Seriously, it’s like reading a kids version of what they learned at summer camp.
If you don’t like my summary of this book, so be it. The author would tell you that what I’m doing is great and I’m going against the grains and I’m letting my inner freak come out. But in reality, the book is just rubbish and not worth the time spent reading it.
If you don’t like my summary of this book, so be it. The author would tell you that what I’m doing is great and I’m going against the grains and I’m letting my inner freak come out. But in reality, the book is just rubbish and not worth the time spent reading it.
October 19, 2016
Love this book and the freak who wrote it! I've seen Dave speak twice and both times I thought he was fabulous. The concept of outsourcing or using your weakness to your advantage and focusing on your strengths is much different than any books I have read on the subject. He turns the tables on managers, parents and spouses and how even we think we should change ourselves and others.
Highly recommend this read if you are someone who thinks they have a weakness or that everyone else does.
Yeah, that means you.
Highly recommend this read if you are someone who thinks they have a weakness or that everyone else does.
Yeah, that means you.
May 24, 2020
Good read. Nothing particularly new, but good reminders and reinforcement to focus on strengths and not worry so much about weaknesses. It will, however, take courage to adopt his recommendations. It’s much more comfortable to just fit in.
January 26, 2019
Great book that reassures your uniqueness or oddities are perfectly ok
May 4, 2019
Mostly anecdotes to illustrate a point, but an interesting one. Looking forward to going back to the process chapter and applying it.
October 7, 2019
I wish I would have found this book 20 years ago. Great insight into strengths and weaknesses and how to live your best self.
June 30, 2022
I love it, especially at the beginning. But then it got repetitive. I wish it would have give more in depth toward the end.
September 8, 2025
This book is a hidden gem. I re-read this while stepping into my new role, and it gave me fresh insight on how to better empower and trust my full-time team.
June 23, 2023
A bit repetitive. Wish there had been more “aha” moments. I like the message a lot.
February 19, 2013
This book has taught me that it is more than okay to be controversial and to go against the grain life. In fact it is more likely to make me successful!
The ideas presented in this book are "outside the box" and I take my hat off to Rendall even if I don't agree with every statement.
This book has challenged me to turn my weaknesses into strengths (or not to waste time on them at all) and to focus on my increasing the strengths I already possess. It is positive, uplifting and fantastic!
The ideas presented in this book are "outside the box" and I take my hat off to Rendall even if I don't agree with every statement.
This book has challenged me to turn my weaknesses into strengths (or not to waste time on them at all) and to focus on my increasing the strengths I already possess. It is positive, uplifting and fantastic!
January 8, 2013
Be yourself. Even if it's weird, quirky or unorthodox. The message of this book is simple, but its implications are profound. The author employs a variety of real-world examples, quizzes and stories to illustrate his points, and the effect is both practical and inspirational. Great advice packaged in an entertaining read. 5 stars.
June 6, 2014
Wow! I got to see part of David's presentation earlier this year, so I had a pretty good idea of what I'd find in the book. However, I was very impressed. David gave concrete suggestions about how to use your strengths and make your weaknesses irrelevant.
July 28, 2011
You will never look at your weaknesses in the same way! Rendall presents an interesting twist to the strengths vs weakness debate!
October 26, 2013
Lots of food for thought. I'm not sure what to do with it in my educational setting, but I know it's important.
May 17, 2014
Great read! I also highly recommend seeking out an opportunity to hear David speak.
April 4, 2017
If you ever get a chance to hear David speak, go. He's great. Love his message about what makes you weird makes you wonderful, what makes you weak makes you strong.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews