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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.
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.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
February 25, 2016
The Invisibles is the second book I've "read" in my automobile university this year. It has powerfully reshaped my relationship with my own work.
Invisibles is about anonymous work. It presents case studies of a range of invisibles, from piano technicians, to engineers of skyscrapers; from guitar techs to perfumiers and fact checkers.
This work is a fascinating exploration of the nature of today's society - one that has a race to the bottom of the most famous, friended, linked, visible. And it discusses in depth the nature of satisfying and happy work.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, that time when you're in a flow state is usually when you forget about being visible, and are just immersed in your work. And also perhaps unsurprisingly, and reflective of many philosophies through the ages, studies show that people who do invisible work are more satisfied and are happier with their lives than those who are visible.
Invisibles discusses key attributes of invisible workers. Elements like meticulousness, a tendency towards extreme planning, a sense of internal satisfaction for work well done, a sense of alignment of purpose... all of them are part of the invisibles' lives.
As someone who has nearly always done invisible work, particularly in my professional life as an editor, publisher, ghostwriting copywriter, and strategist, all of this resonated with me. It brought me to a clear understanding of my own discomforts in life. It made me question: Do I really need to build a large company? Can I just focus on the work and still be amazingly successful? Can I do what is important to me - to connect with and improve the lives of others - without being highly visible and needing to be a professional speaker, flaunted on the Famous Circuit with thousands of fans?
The answer is, no I don't need to build a big company. Yes, I can still be amazingly successful if I just focus on the work. And yes I can still do what resonates without having to be on the public circuit.
In fact, of nearly all the great people held up as inspirational, they were invisibles. Albert Einstein was an invisible. So was Tesla. So was Jobs. There are many, many more of them.
And interestingly, once you let go of the idea that you need to be in front of people, life is just easier.
Invisibles makes valid and important points about the nature of social media; of balanced society; of the fact that personal branding is a whole lot of unnecessary bullshit (my words, not his); of the fact that the race to the bottom (for that's what constant attention-seeking does) is neither important or valuable, and that it ultimately will be part of the downfall of society.
It's a massive claim, but it's one with which you are inclined to agree after reading Zweig's arguments.
Perhaps a measure of this book's message is that it really did help me to rethink my position in relation to visibility, and whether or not it's important to me. And ultimately, I decided that it isn't important - and that other things are more important. If you have a similar reaction after reading this book, then arguably the author has achieved his aim.
There is enormous power in invisible work. Let's celebrate it, and encourage it, and the world will be a happier place as a result.
Invisibles is about anonymous work. It presents case studies of a range of invisibles, from piano technicians, to engineers of skyscrapers; from guitar techs to perfumiers and fact checkers.
This work is a fascinating exploration of the nature of today's society - one that has a race to the bottom of the most famous, friended, linked, visible. And it discusses in depth the nature of satisfying and happy work.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, that time when you're in a flow state is usually when you forget about being visible, and are just immersed in your work. And also perhaps unsurprisingly, and reflective of many philosophies through the ages, studies show that people who do invisible work are more satisfied and are happier with their lives than those who are visible.
Invisibles discusses key attributes of invisible workers. Elements like meticulousness, a tendency towards extreme planning, a sense of internal satisfaction for work well done, a sense of alignment of purpose... all of them are part of the invisibles' lives.
As someone who has nearly always done invisible work, particularly in my professional life as an editor, publisher, ghostwriting copywriter, and strategist, all of this resonated with me. It brought me to a clear understanding of my own discomforts in life. It made me question: Do I really need to build a large company? Can I just focus on the work and still be amazingly successful? Can I do what is important to me - to connect with and improve the lives of others - without being highly visible and needing to be a professional speaker, flaunted on the Famous Circuit with thousands of fans?
The answer is, no I don't need to build a big company. Yes, I can still be amazingly successful if I just focus on the work. And yes I can still do what resonates without having to be on the public circuit.
In fact, of nearly all the great people held up as inspirational, they were invisibles. Albert Einstein was an invisible. So was Tesla. So was Jobs. There are many, many more of them.
And interestingly, once you let go of the idea that you need to be in front of people, life is just easier.
Invisibles makes valid and important points about the nature of social media; of balanced society; of the fact that personal branding is a whole lot of unnecessary bullshit (my words, not his); of the fact that the race to the bottom (for that's what constant attention-seeking does) is neither important or valuable, and that it ultimately will be part of the downfall of society.
It's a massive claim, but it's one with which you are inclined to agree after reading Zweig's arguments.
Perhaps a measure of this book's message is that it really did help me to rethink my position in relation to visibility, and whether or not it's important to me. And ultimately, I decided that it isn't important - and that other things are more important. If you have a similar reaction after reading this book, then arguably the author has achieved his aim.
There is enormous power in invisible work. Let's celebrate it, and encourage it, and the world will be a happier place as a result.
September 24, 2019
This book was mentioned in something I read recently and it sounded interesting (I assume it was Akiko Busch's How to Disappear but I'm not certain). Zweig theorizes about people who shun the limelight and work behind the scenes, supporting others and excelling at their area with quiet proficiency. After explaining his theory he creates portraits of "invisibles" in different fields, some more interesting to me than others. I've always wondered how simultaneous interpreters work - and Zweig had the rare opportunity to interview and shadow a brilliant interpreter at the United Nations - I just wish he'd taken fuller advantage of the opportunity to explore this - I want to read a full book about this woman! (The chapters are pretty short.) Also somewhat surprising was to observe Zweig lauding specialists and bemoaning that most of us have become generalists today, after reading David Epstein's Range in which the drawbacks of specialists are described. (As a book indexer I'm definitely in the category of Invisibles, but I'm also an inveterate generalist.)
July 17, 2014
"Daddy, when I grow up, I want to be invisible." Most kids would never say such a thing, but David Zweig shows they may be missing out on the most satisfying careers of all.
Most of us don't value the things we can't see. "Out of sight, out of mind," the old saying goes. But that doesn't mean they're unimportant. In fact, some of the most essential jobs in the world happen behind the scenes. That's the premise of ""Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion."
Think "Wayfinding" sounds unimportant? Think again. Walking through an airport without carefully planning by a wayfinder like Jim Harding would become an exercise in panic and frustration.
Ever heard of "simultaneous interpretation?" Probably not. But without gifted interpreters like Giulia Wilkins Ary, international diplomacy would come to a grinding halt.
With a background in fact-checking, the author began to notice that behind every great enterprise, there were people quietly doing their job, far away from the spotlight, who were absolutely essential. He calls them, the "Invisibles." "The invisibles, as I define them (really, as they came to be defined through my research), are highly skilled, and people whose roles are critical to whatever enterprise they are a part of" (p. 7). In fact, about the only time they become "visible" is when their job is done poorly.
Zweig identifies three common traits across his research. Invisibles will have (1) ambivalence toward recognition; (2) meticulousness; and (3) savoring of responsibility. Often, the only time they get recognized is when something goes wrong.
This book was not only interesting and fun to read; it was thought provoking. Am I content to remain invisible? Who are the invisibles that could use a simple word of appreciation? Are we raising the next generation to value the things that matter most?
Most of us don't value the things we can't see. "Out of sight, out of mind," the old saying goes. But that doesn't mean they're unimportant. In fact, some of the most essential jobs in the world happen behind the scenes. That's the premise of ""Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion."
Think "Wayfinding" sounds unimportant? Think again. Walking through an airport without carefully planning by a wayfinder like Jim Harding would become an exercise in panic and frustration.
Ever heard of "simultaneous interpretation?" Probably not. But without gifted interpreters like Giulia Wilkins Ary, international diplomacy would come to a grinding halt.
With a background in fact-checking, the author began to notice that behind every great enterprise, there were people quietly doing their job, far away from the spotlight, who were absolutely essential. He calls them, the "Invisibles." "The invisibles, as I define them (really, as they came to be defined through my research), are highly skilled, and people whose roles are critical to whatever enterprise they are a part of" (p. 7). In fact, about the only time they become "visible" is when their job is done poorly.
Zweig identifies three common traits across his research. Invisibles will have (1) ambivalence toward recognition; (2) meticulousness; and (3) savoring of responsibility. Often, the only time they get recognized is when something goes wrong.
This book was not only interesting and fun to read; it was thought provoking. Am I content to remain invisible? Who are the invisibles that could use a simple word of appreciation? Are we raising the next generation to value the things that matter most?
January 17, 2015
This book is worth reading just for the captivating dives into the lives of a wayfinding expert, perfumer, UN interpreter, rock band guitar technician, skyscraper lead structural engineer, and piano technician. All of these folks live out of the spotlight, yet their work is essential to how our world works. The writing provides great detail and really gives you a feel for the work and why these experts enjoy it.
The attempt to tie all of this into an overall theme feels a little forced. The cultural analysis did not ring true, either of US culture or comparison to other cultures. While I agree with all three elements he recommends (ambivalence to recognition, devotion to meticulousness, and savoring responsibility), I see these traits exhibited by people that struggle to survive in all areas of the world.
That gets to the biggest flaw of the book - the title. While these folks are not in the spotlight, the real Invisibles are the people doing the low-wage work that are at best ignored, at worst scorned. Fast food worker, hotel housekeeping, cashiers, and many other professions are even further slighted when we refer to people with six-figure salaries as "Invisibles". A better term would have been "linchpins", but that is already taken. :)
The attempt to tie all of this into an overall theme feels a little forced. The cultural analysis did not ring true, either of US culture or comparison to other cultures. While I agree with all three elements he recommends (ambivalence to recognition, devotion to meticulousness, and savoring responsibility), I see these traits exhibited by people that struggle to survive in all areas of the world.
That gets to the biggest flaw of the book - the title. While these folks are not in the spotlight, the real Invisibles are the people doing the low-wage work that are at best ignored, at worst scorned. Fast food worker, hotel housekeeping, cashiers, and many other professions are even further slighted when we refer to people with six-figure salaries as "Invisibles". A better term would have been "linchpins", but that is already taken. :)
September 20, 2014
The Invisibles sounded like a very interesting book. Getting behind Oz’s curtain should have been interesting, but Mr. Zweig has taken a brilliant concept and sanitized and then made it utterly banal. There were no interesting observations or insights into those who work behind the scenes.
Readers may safely avoid this book with no worries they may be missing out on something interesting or necessary.
2 out of 5 stars
Readers may safely avoid this book with no worries they may be missing out on something interesting or necessary.
2 out of 5 stars
February 12, 2016
I got wind of "Invisibles" because the author was doing a profile on one of my favorite cinematographers, Robert Elswit. He is a handful of successful (but less-known) experts David Zweig spotlights in a book about the virtue of keeping a low profile and grinding it out 'til you're the best of the best. Take Elswit, for example—he's a true artist, a consummate technician, very respected in the industry, an Oscar winner—yet hardly anybody knows about him, unless you're a filmmaker or cinephile. That's kind of Zweig's point. The fact that it takes him a whole book (with half dozen hit-or-miss biographies) to make it is a bummer. Zweig easily distills his agenda only a few of pages in (be meticulous, be focused, be passionate, just do the work and success will follow)…while the remainder of the book is only as interesting as the people the author profiles.
October 10, 2016
Livro encantador que desafia pressupostos da cultura de trabalho atual. O reconhecimento externo é demasiadamente sobrevalorizado.
Através de histórias dos bastidores de profissionais Invisíveis (não percebidos pelo mundo exterior) como um perfumista por trás de perfumes de grande sucesso, o engenheiro chefe da firma que construiu os maiores arranha-céus, uma intérprete da ONU, um diretor de fotografia de grandes filmes, o técnico de guitarras do Radiohead dentre outros, David Zweig mostra como esses profissionais de alto impacto percebem o valor de trabalho anônimo em um mundo de constante autopromoção.
Uma ótima reflexão sobre como vemos o trabalho e como definimos sucesso.
Através de histórias dos bastidores de profissionais Invisíveis (não percebidos pelo mundo exterior) como um perfumista por trás de perfumes de grande sucesso, o engenheiro chefe da firma que construiu os maiores arranha-céus, uma intérprete da ONU, um diretor de fotografia de grandes filmes, o técnico de guitarras do Radiohead dentre outros, David Zweig mostra como esses profissionais de alto impacto percebem o valor de trabalho anônimo em um mundo de constante autopromoção.
Uma ótima reflexão sobre como vemos o trabalho e como definimos sucesso.
December 8, 2021
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
August 7, 2017
Really enjoyed this exploration of the jobs people never know about until something goes wrong, like data analysts for intelligence agencies (9/11), the people who design election ballots (the 2000 election in Florida), or fact-checkers (weapons of mass destruction in Iraq).
I learned about several professions I'd never heard of, or thought about as professions. Wayfinding, for example, is the profession that designs public spaces like airports in a way that (hopefully) enables people to navigate them—and you specifically never think about the design unless it's bad. Zweig interviews someone who develop scents for celebrity perfumes, Radiohead's guitar technician, a piano tuner for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, a UN interpreter, a cinematographer, the engineer of a "supertall" building in China, among others, and seeing what these people actually do is surprisingly fascinating.
I was attracted to the premise of this book because this is exactly the kind of thing I find really interesting. My own job is an invisible one—people generally don't go to the library and think about the person who put on all those labels and entered that information into the online catalog—and I quite like that. I don't like being the center of attention, but I do like knowing I'm part of something important. That's what Invisibles do. In many cases they do get recognition, especially within their own profession, but that's never the reason they do what they do; they're motivated by curiosity, or passion, or something else that's internal. And if their jobs didn't get done, most of our society would cease to function.
The book itself is put together pretty well, although I was surprised by small mistakes and design inconsistencies that seemed to increase in the second half. You can tell Zweig is just personally fascinated by this stuff, which in my case made it easier to ignore any stylistic problems, because I am too. Definitely would recommend.
I learned about several professions I'd never heard of, or thought about as professions. Wayfinding, for example, is the profession that designs public spaces like airports in a way that (hopefully) enables people to navigate them—and you specifically never think about the design unless it's bad. Zweig interviews someone who develop scents for celebrity perfumes, Radiohead's guitar technician, a piano tuner for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, a UN interpreter, a cinematographer, the engineer of a "supertall" building in China, among others, and seeing what these people actually do is surprisingly fascinating.
I was attracted to the premise of this book because this is exactly the kind of thing I find really interesting. My own job is an invisible one—people generally don't go to the library and think about the person who put on all those labels and entered that information into the online catalog—and I quite like that. I don't like being the center of attention, but I do like knowing I'm part of something important. That's what Invisibles do. In many cases they do get recognition, especially within their own profession, but that's never the reason they do what they do; they're motivated by curiosity, or passion, or something else that's internal. And if their jobs didn't get done, most of our society would cease to function.
The book itself is put together pretty well, although I was surprised by small mistakes and design inconsistencies that seemed to increase in the second half. You can tell Zweig is just personally fascinated by this stuff, which in my case made it easier to ignore any stylistic problems, because I am too. Definitely would recommend.
May 9, 2023
This books best takeaway is in the three pages of the introduction: meaningful work is often done by people uninterested in external recognition. They become excellent at what they do in relative obscurity because they love the work itself, not the praise.
It’s a good point in our self focused culture, however, the rest of the book is essentially using stories and interviews to illustrate a point that could be summarized in one sentence. There isn’t much development of the idea.
There was the occasional interesting idea sprinkles throughout, like at the end when it contrasts how kids in the US wrote about themselves with how kids in Asian countries write about themselves. But this book isn’t worth more than a skim in my opinion. Pick out the couple helpful ideas and then return it to the shelf and pick a more thought-provoking book for your next read.
It’s a good point in our self focused culture, however, the rest of the book is essentially using stories and interviews to illustrate a point that could be summarized in one sentence. There isn’t much development of the idea.
There was the occasional interesting idea sprinkles throughout, like at the end when it contrasts how kids in the US wrote about themselves with how kids in Asian countries write about themselves. But this book isn’t worth more than a skim in my opinion. Pick out the couple helpful ideas and then return it to the shelf and pick a more thought-provoking book for your next read.
April 8, 2018
I identify a lot with this type of person. The trouble I have is that I am not formally trained in the skills that I possess. I know formal training is less and less valued in the business environment, but I still feel out of shape.
It got me thinking about not using the "perfectionist" label and opt for other adjectives that aren't tainted as this one is.
The conclusion is somewhat lacking in my opinion (let's stop being so individualistic).
It got me thinking about not using the "perfectionist" label and opt for other adjectives that aren't tainted as this one is.
The conclusion is somewhat lacking in my opinion (let's stop being so individualistic).
December 21, 2018
The book I thought this was going to be and the book that it actually was were not the same book. I hoped for a book that had a connective thread running through it that enabled readers to learn from the "invisibles" highlighted. This book, however interesting the individual profiles might have been, didn't provide meaningful insights into the lives of these "invisibles" that a reader could take and use.
July 3, 2022
This book is a thought-provoking sojourn through the lives of several individuals in professions that are considered "invisible" -- that is, roles that are not even thought of by the general public but which are essential to an achievement of a greater scale or essential the highly visible success of others. I personally enjoyed the various stories and the way they were woven together in this book, and a few concepts took root as I considered their lives -- concepts I will carry forward not only in my own life but in discussing my children's future with them. Culturally, we've begun to tie fame/notoriety/recognition in with the idea of fulfillment -- if we aren't recognized for what we're contributing to society, it isn't as "valuable." This deeply false premise threatens to jeopardize our outlook on our professions and our own evaluation of our worth -- and this book provides a strong counter-argument against that seeping, toxic falsehood. I wasn't expecting the depth of research and discussion of philosophical questions that author David Zweig presents in the book, but I'm glad they are included. I also appreciated Zweig's rational, tempered writing style and I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.
November 17, 2015
Zweig’s core idea is that the happiest workers don’t fit modern, corporate structures well. They find innate reward in work which is meticulous, meaningful and challenging. This means that reward structures which are based on flattery, structural power, symbolic power,and even money do not work well as motivators. To support his idea, Zweig interviews people who work in roles that meet these three criteria.
The interviews are, of themselves, interesting, as people unlock some of the inner elements of their profession. A UN interpreter discusses the crushing physical stress caused by the cognitive load of simultaneous translation. The tuner for concert pianos explains how there is no right way to tune a piano, and how he carefully reworks the instrument so that it suits each player. A structural engineer explains how he makes the vision of the architect into a functional object. Even without Zweig’s overarching argument, the book would be worth reading just for these.
The degree to which Zweig proves his thesis is arguable. I think his problems are mostly semantic. If her had called his group something other than “invisibles” he’d be fine. One of the directors he interviews has an academy award. One of the roadies he talks to is famous among music aficionados. This doesn’t really break his argument, if you accept that invisibles are only hidden from the general public, not from people who are amateur enthusiasts in an appropriate field.
Recommended for managers, people who work this way, and those who find this sort of modern anthropology fascinating.
This review first appeared on book coasters
The interviews are, of themselves, interesting, as people unlock some of the inner elements of their profession. A UN interpreter discusses the crushing physical stress caused by the cognitive load of simultaneous translation. The tuner for concert pianos explains how there is no right way to tune a piano, and how he carefully reworks the instrument so that it suits each player. A structural engineer explains how he makes the vision of the architect into a functional object. Even without Zweig’s overarching argument, the book would be worth reading just for these.
The degree to which Zweig proves his thesis is arguable. I think his problems are mostly semantic. If her had called his group something other than “invisibles” he’d be fine. One of the directors he interviews has an academy award. One of the roadies he talks to is famous among music aficionados. This doesn’t really break his argument, if you accept that invisibles are only hidden from the general public, not from people who are amateur enthusiasts in an appropriate field.
Recommended for managers, people who work this way, and those who find this sort of modern anthropology fascinating.
This review first appeared on book coasters
August 17, 2014
The overall concept of this book peaked my interest as I was looking for something that expanded my knowledge of the world around me. The fact that the book provided some thoughtful provoking text was a great addition to the experience. I do believe that chapters 1-6 were the most interesting as the author delved into detail on a number of people who deal with aspects behind the scenes (i.e. "Invisibles") in professions one doesn't typically know a great deal about (e.g. UN speech translators, perfume experts). But after chapter 6, the book tends to get a little repetitive almost as to fill space to justify a larger book, which was a little bit of a let down and is a trend I have seen lately. However, the conclusion was worth finishing as the author successfully provided thought provoking thoughts for the reader to take with them on how to treat folks like described in this book or how one can achieve like they do.
Overall rating - 4/5
(5/5 is too much and 3/5 is too little)
Overall rating - 4/5
(5/5 is too much and 3/5 is too little)
abandoned-dnf
August 19, 2023Did not finish.
I take issue with this book because of how much it seems to smack of "you should be virtuous like these people!" We all know we shouldn't be envious of others, to always want we don't have, that we should to put others before us, and that this will lead to a happier life, but we are all human and not all of us can just do that--easier said than done. The author even cites religions like Christianity, which promote this route of happiness; while I find it hard to disagree with maxims such as "thou shalt not covet," I am highly skeptical of the purpose of religious tenets like this--if they are actually intended to help people see the light of what would actually make them happy, or if they were intended to convey to poor people that they should be happy with their station in life so that they stay in their intended role. This inclusion only made me feel more like what the author is preaching is more a virtue most of us will spend our lives trying to reach but probably never fully grasp, and less actual helpful information on a different way to see things or feel better about yourself or whatever self-help stuff. I have seen a review comparing it to the book Quiet, which I did enjoy, and I see the similarities--but I think where Quiet departs from this book is that it is intended to help people who are already introverted to embrace their hidden strengths against a society that undervalues them (recognition, much?), as opposed to this book that tells you you should take an outlook on life that is contrary to what society seemingly values and rewards.
I have a degree in management. I completely agree with the concept that intrinsic motivations are the most powerful of all, and extrinsic motivations can actually work against you, but it's another thing to think that you should eliminate all care for extrinsic rewards (if you even can). It is pretty obvious and well-proven that employees fair infinitely better when they feel that the boss cares about and appreciates them, which in turn creates intrinsic motivation. It would be a horrific workplace if your employees never got recognition for good work or were appreciated at all, and they would all be superhumans to put up with it. In fact, I imagine lack of recognition is a big reason a lot of people end up leaving careers that are well-paid and filled with other extrinsic bonuses. Maybe that's why the people in this book do enjoy their work--they do get some (really high) level of recognition for what they do. They might not be looking to be famous, but I also really don't think most people are. You don't need an impenetrable core of "I don't care if nobody cares about my work, I just love to do it" if your workplace creates an environment that provides proper recognition and appreciation (which don't have to be public; this can be a manager thanking a worker for their effort privately) for its employees in the first place, and telling people to be these superhumans isn't a great solution to the problem.
The author himself says that this book isn't about people who are truly invisible (who receive no recognition in their industry as well as outside of it and/or achieve no success), but rather people in careers that just aren't necessarily high-profile or regularly thought of. They all supposedly do not care or seek out recognition (in the public eye and seemingly out of it), but they do get that level of recognition in their industry. This is almost like compiling a book of profiles on billionaires who claim not to actually care about money, but just care about the work in and of itself, and then claiming that that lack of care is supposedly the reason for their billions. Fellow reviewer Roger K. (I am on mobile and don't want to format a link right now) explains this well:
"While these folks are not in the spotlight, the real Invisibles are the people doing the low-wage work that are at best ignored, at worst scorned. Fast food worker, hotel housekeeping, cashiers, and many other professions are even further slighted when we refer to people with six-figure salaries as 'Invisibles'."
It conveys a certain level of privilege to tell people to pursue what they love to do, not what earns them money--ignoring that many, many circumstances can impede those goals, *especially* if you don't aggressively pursue it and promote yourself. In a competitive economy, where resumes are automatically disqualified by robots, you may have to promote yourself to get the job you love. The author sort of mentions this--and, as a published author, may have felt pressure from his publisher to promote the book on social media and do a lot of his own marketing--but something about it feels unhelpful. Like he is simultaneously blaming society, but also blaming you, the reader, for not being pure enough--by not craving intrinsic benefits enough. If you aren't successful (well-accomplished and recognized in your industry, but not desiring of that recognition)in your work inherently, without self-promotion, he seems to imply that you aren't skilled enough, since he posits the strange idea (which contradicts his railing against society) that as long as you don't seek recognition, you will get it. It kind of hurt when the author mentioned programmers as a highly in-demand, invisible job, and I struggle to get such a job despite my deep desire to have it.
I think the profiles of what the people do in this work could have been interesting (the one I have read, the wayfinder, was quite interesting), but the author is constantly going on about how virtuous (my word) these people are, so I'm going to call it not worth it.
I take issue with this book because of how much it seems to smack of "you should be virtuous like these people!" We all know we shouldn't be envious of others, to always want we don't have, that we should to put others before us, and that this will lead to a happier life, but we are all human and not all of us can just do that--easier said than done. The author even cites religions like Christianity, which promote this route of happiness; while I find it hard to disagree with maxims such as "thou shalt not covet," I am highly skeptical of the purpose of religious tenets like this--if they are actually intended to help people see the light of what would actually make them happy, or if they were intended to convey to poor people that they should be happy with their station in life so that they stay in their intended role. This inclusion only made me feel more like what the author is preaching is more a virtue most of us will spend our lives trying to reach but probably never fully grasp, and less actual helpful information on a different way to see things or feel better about yourself or whatever self-help stuff. I have seen a review comparing it to the book Quiet, which I did enjoy, and I see the similarities--but I think where Quiet departs from this book is that it is intended to help people who are already introverted to embrace their hidden strengths against a society that undervalues them (recognition, much?), as opposed to this book that tells you you should take an outlook on life that is contrary to what society seemingly values and rewards.
I have a degree in management. I completely agree with the concept that intrinsic motivations are the most powerful of all, and extrinsic motivations can actually work against you, but it's another thing to think that you should eliminate all care for extrinsic rewards (if you even can). It is pretty obvious and well-proven that employees fair infinitely better when they feel that the boss cares about and appreciates them, which in turn creates intrinsic motivation. It would be a horrific workplace if your employees never got recognition for good work or were appreciated at all, and they would all be superhumans to put up with it. In fact, I imagine lack of recognition is a big reason a lot of people end up leaving careers that are well-paid and filled with other extrinsic bonuses. Maybe that's why the people in this book do enjoy their work--they do get some (really high) level of recognition for what they do. They might not be looking to be famous, but I also really don't think most people are. You don't need an impenetrable core of "I don't care if nobody cares about my work, I just love to do it" if your workplace creates an environment that provides proper recognition and appreciation (which don't have to be public; this can be a manager thanking a worker for their effort privately) for its employees in the first place, and telling people to be these superhumans isn't a great solution to the problem.
The author himself says that this book isn't about people who are truly invisible (who receive no recognition in their industry as well as outside of it and/or achieve no success), but rather people in careers that just aren't necessarily high-profile or regularly thought of. They all supposedly do not care or seek out recognition (in the public eye and seemingly out of it), but they do get that level of recognition in their industry. This is almost like compiling a book of profiles on billionaires who claim not to actually care about money, but just care about the work in and of itself, and then claiming that that lack of care is supposedly the reason for their billions. Fellow reviewer Roger K. (I am on mobile and don't want to format a link right now) explains this well:
"While these folks are not in the spotlight, the real Invisibles are the people doing the low-wage work that are at best ignored, at worst scorned. Fast food worker, hotel housekeeping, cashiers, and many other professions are even further slighted when we refer to people with six-figure salaries as 'Invisibles'."
It conveys a certain level of privilege to tell people to pursue what they love to do, not what earns them money--ignoring that many, many circumstances can impede those goals, *especially* if you don't aggressively pursue it and promote yourself. In a competitive economy, where resumes are automatically disqualified by robots, you may have to promote yourself to get the job you love. The author sort of mentions this--and, as a published author, may have felt pressure from his publisher to promote the book on social media and do a lot of his own marketing--but something about it feels unhelpful. Like he is simultaneously blaming society, but also blaming you, the reader, for not being pure enough--by not craving intrinsic benefits enough. If you aren't successful (well-accomplished and recognized in your industry, but not desiring of that recognition)in your work inherently, without self-promotion, he seems to imply that you aren't skilled enough, since he posits the strange idea (which contradicts his railing against society) that as long as you don't seek recognition, you will get it. It kind of hurt when the author mentioned programmers as a highly in-demand, invisible job, and I struggle to get such a job despite my deep desire to have it.
I think the profiles of what the people do in this work could have been interesting (the one I have read, the wayfinder, was quite interesting), but the author is constantly going on about how virtuous (my word) these people are, so I'm going to call it not worth it.
September 13, 2014
Interesting profiles but I was underwhelmed by the overarching premise. Invisibles outnumber visibles necessarily.
January 24, 2021
Trăim timpuri în care succesul este asociat cu celebritatea, iar satisfacția profesională pare să fie asigurată în special de oportunitatea unor câștiguri financiare importante și mai puțin de pasiunea individului pentru activitatea sa. Oamenii aleargă după iluzii poleite în aprecieri pe rețelele sociale, în salarii cu multe zerouri, în fotografii din vacanțe perfecte, în diverse reușite personale și profesionale, pe care nu omit niciodată să le anunțe public. Discreția pare să nu mai fie o calitate în această eră a autopromovării, după cum o numește David Zweig, fiind percepută mai degrabă ca o asumare tacită a neîmplinirii sau a insatisfacțiilor și nu ca o încercare elegantă de a păstra tăcerea în legătură cu realizările tale, justificată prin alegerea de a nu ieși în evidență.
Invizibilii sunt acei oameni care muncesc fără să aștepte laude publice, fără să viseze la glorii temporare, fără să vorbească, de cele mai multe ori, despre complexitatea activității lor. Sunt „specialiști de înaltă clasă”, oameni pasionați și extrem de competenți, care preferă însă liniștea unei vieți în culise, departe de luminile reflectoarelor. Chiar dacă îi vom întâlni, n-o vom ști niciodată, deoarece valoarea muncii lor stă tocmai în caracterul ei anonim: performanța este atinsă doar prin perfecțiune, prin capacitatea (supraumană) de a nu greși sub nicio formă, de a nu ajunge, de fapt, vreodată în atenția publicului.
Autorul ne prezintă poveștile fascinante ale unor Invizibili de succes, oameni care și-au transformat pasiunile în slujbe extrem de bine plătite, însă, în același timp, necunoscute de către cei din exterior. Este vorba despre creatori de parfumuri de lux, despre interpreți de la Națiunile Unite, despre directori de imagine, despre cei care verifică informațiile înainte să fie publicate în celebrele ziare americane sau despre tehnicieni de instrumente muzicale. Acești oameni au competențe și parcursuri profesionale diferite, dar toți împărtășesc câteva trăsături-cheie: atenția pentru detalii, responsabilitatea, implicarea totală în activitatea lor, modestia și capacitatea de a-și extrage satisfacția din îndeplinirea excepțională a sarcinilor și nu din recunoașterea publică. Invizibilii sunt un grup de profesioniști de la care toți avem câte ceva de învățat, arătându-ne un mod diferit de a percepe succesul într-o lume vrăjită de titluri importante, cariere strălucitoare și elogii zgomotoase.
Invizibilii sunt acei oameni care muncesc fără să aștepte laude publice, fără să viseze la glorii temporare, fără să vorbească, de cele mai multe ori, despre complexitatea activității lor. Sunt „specialiști de înaltă clasă”, oameni pasionați și extrem de competenți, care preferă însă liniștea unei vieți în culise, departe de luminile reflectoarelor. Chiar dacă îi vom întâlni, n-o vom ști niciodată, deoarece valoarea muncii lor stă tocmai în caracterul ei anonim: performanța este atinsă doar prin perfecțiune, prin capacitatea (supraumană) de a nu greși sub nicio formă, de a nu ajunge, de fapt, vreodată în atenția publicului.
Autorul ne prezintă poveștile fascinante ale unor Invizibili de succes, oameni care și-au transformat pasiunile în slujbe extrem de bine plătite, însă, în același timp, necunoscute de către cei din exterior. Este vorba despre creatori de parfumuri de lux, despre interpreți de la Națiunile Unite, despre directori de imagine, despre cei care verifică informațiile înainte să fie publicate în celebrele ziare americane sau despre tehnicieni de instrumente muzicale. Acești oameni au competențe și parcursuri profesionale diferite, dar toți împărtășesc câteva trăsături-cheie: atenția pentru detalii, responsabilitatea, implicarea totală în activitatea lor, modestia și capacitatea de a-și extrage satisfacția din îndeplinirea excepțională a sarcinilor și nu din recunoașterea publică. Invizibilii sunt un grup de profesioniști de la care toți avem câte ceva de învățat, arătându-ne un mod diferit de a percepe succesul într-o lume vrăjită de titluri importante, cariere strălucitoare și elogii zgomotoase.
January 12, 2021
Just read Zweig's article in The Atlantic instead
I started off loving this book. I'll happily self-identify as an Invisible--I was even a fact-checker for a number of years! In the first chapter, I felt like Zweig understood me in a way most career-focused books don't. I don't particularly enjoy wide-spread recognition for my work, I'm highly meticulous, and I (sometimes) enjoy responsibility in my little corner of the world (see pg 5). I was looking forward to a book that discussed the so what of all of this: what does this mean for me and my career? How can I leverage this outlook on life to achieve my career goals?
Turns out, this is not the book for that.
After the first chapter, this was a collection of experiences: of a perfumer, of a wayfinding expert, of a piano tuner, of a guitar/sound specialist, a UN interpreter, etc. Interesting, for sure, and fleshed out Zweig's idea of what an Invisible can be, but this section needed to be shorter and building towards a "so what" that was sadly missing from this book.
It seemed like Zweig was repackaging "do what you love" under a different name. He seems to ignore the fact that sometimes recognition--in the form of money--is very valuable. It's a bit tone deaf to not mention this, especially in an era of wage stagnation.
The last chapter on cross-cultural understanding of Invisibles could have been a book unto itself, or at least better tied into a "so what" for this book. I would have loved a more in-depth analysis of American culture vis a vis recognition, self-promotion, "personal branding" (UGH), and the like--and what that means for the many of us who find such behaviors stressful (but sadly so important to modern American business culture).
Not recommended.
h/t: NY Times
I started off loving this book. I'll happily self-identify as an Invisible--I was even a fact-checker for a number of years! In the first chapter, I felt like Zweig understood me in a way most career-focused books don't. I don't particularly enjoy wide-spread recognition for my work, I'm highly meticulous, and I (sometimes) enjoy responsibility in my little corner of the world (see pg 5). I was looking forward to a book that discussed the so what of all of this: what does this mean for me and my career? How can I leverage this outlook on life to achieve my career goals?
Turns out, this is not the book for that.
After the first chapter, this was a collection of experiences: of a perfumer, of a wayfinding expert, of a piano tuner, of a guitar/sound specialist, a UN interpreter, etc. Interesting, for sure, and fleshed out Zweig's idea of what an Invisible can be, but this section needed to be shorter and building towards a "so what" that was sadly missing from this book.
It seemed like Zweig was repackaging "do what you love" under a different name. He seems to ignore the fact that sometimes recognition--in the form of money--is very valuable. It's a bit tone deaf to not mention this, especially in an era of wage stagnation.
The last chapter on cross-cultural understanding of Invisibles could have been a book unto itself, or at least better tied into a "so what" for this book. I would have loved a more in-depth analysis of American culture vis a vis recognition, self-promotion, "personal branding" (UGH), and the like--and what that means for the many of us who find such behaviors stressful (but sadly so important to modern American business culture).
Not recommended.
h/t: NY Times
January 8, 2023
In this self-glorifying, self-promoting, social media fueled times, there has never a better time to make yourself known to the public. We are being coddled into sharing our achievements, whether big or small, or mostly lapse into mediocrity. Against this tide, stand the Invisibles. They are the people who, the better they are at their jobs, the more they disappear. The only time they are put into spotlight is the time when there are something wrong with what they are working on.
In this book, we meet people from various background, as diverse as sound engineer, signpost designer, UN interpreter, piano tuner, perfume maker, and so on. Whatever their jobs are, they are united by common characteristics: ambivalence bordering on ignorance to recognituon, devotion to meticulousness, and savoring responsibility. After chapters on those traits, in this book topics such as how fame and success became tied to self-promotion, balance between pride and humility, and what different cultures’ stances on attention-seekers.
As an endnote, I found myself being in awe and amazement to people described in this book, such an inspiration for me, who is currently a nobody within a large bureaucracy. This book become more important to me after the highest official in my office stated that a good job is a job that is recognized, which in my ears a green light for bootlickers and attention-seekers to make the move towards the boss.
In this book, we meet people from various background, as diverse as sound engineer, signpost designer, UN interpreter, piano tuner, perfume maker, and so on. Whatever their jobs are, they are united by common characteristics: ambivalence bordering on ignorance to recognituon, devotion to meticulousness, and savoring responsibility. After chapters on those traits, in this book topics such as how fame and success became tied to self-promotion, balance between pride and humility, and what different cultures’ stances on attention-seekers.
As an endnote, I found myself being in awe and amazement to people described in this book, such an inspiration for me, who is currently a nobody within a large bureaucracy. This book become more important to me after the highest official in my office stated that a good job is a job that is recognized, which in my ears a green light for bootlickers and attention-seekers to make the move towards the boss.
June 8, 2025
「如果榮耀歸誰這件事不重要，成就便將可無可限量。」——愛默生（Ralph Waldo Emerson）
「或許你會問，大部分人都是默默工作，為什麼他們不是隱系人類？隱系人類並不是指小螺絲釘一樣的尋常工作者。所謂的隱系人類（真的，我是研究了很久才找出它的定義）都屬於技術高超的人士，無論身在哪個行業，都工作吃重。他們和美國的貧苦勞動階層不同，也和開發中世界裡埋頭苦幹的工廠勞工不同。隱系人類往往成就非凡，因其專業技術和工作表現而受到同事的肯定與高度尊重。更令人敬佩的是，儘管這些隱系人類有機會追求其他事業，卻選擇或在其機緣巧合下進入那一行，決定待下來，即便永遠得不到直接客戶的肯定。我們多數人都希望得到適度表揚，就算拍拍背也好，但隱系人類不屑於此。然而，他們卻是最有成就感的一群人。」
「與其浪費時間上線推銷自己，不停思考如何自我推銷，還不如實際去做你想做的事，從事真正的創作，而不是把自己包裝成一個會創作東西的人，因為除了時間和腦力的浪費以外，現在又出現另一個風險——你試圖留下美好印象的人會疏遠你。由於自我包裝太普通，所以現在只要有誰太過度包裝或推銷自我，或者方法太過度誇張，便會覺得對方不老實。因為畢竟包裝這種事情就算沒有不老實，也一定只會強調自己的光明面。（別忘了自我推銷嫉妒循環這回事。你在臉書上有多少『朋友』會定期分享自己的不堪事蹟？）有一位個人包裝作家反駁說，『個人包裝』只是『名聲』的另一種說法罷了。不管你怎麼稱呼它，這都不重要。哪怕你創造的這個品牌百分之百符合現實，沒有故意撒謊吹捧自己，但問題在於你會花很多時間擔心你在別人眼裡的形象是什麼。」
*
作者在書內提及十位出色的工作者，揭露他們所持著「隱系人類」的特徵，分別有三種：
（一）具有專業技術，掌握所有細節裡的魔鬼，成就過人的細膩工夫；
（二）意志堅定，不受權力和名氣影響，只問工作和內在目標是否一致；
（三）懂得合作與讓步，完美執行任務，隱身而不留名。
此外，身為其中一員的大衛·茨威格（David Zweig），透過對十位專業人士的工作流程、所展現的態度，從中學習及細心觀察，並留意他們與現實的關係，分析有關對「隱系人類」的獨有表現，再度深化其觀念至現在，如何釋出尊重及欣賞的心，向他們一一致敬。慣常以傳統觀念判斷職業的我們，至今是如何看待自由職業、工作該有的操守及原則、工作的界線與定義等，這些令我有所反思。尤其是近年新時代興起的Gen Z，他們有趣的舉動足以令我們反思何謂工作、何謂人生、何謂自我、何謂家庭、何謂朋友。
再者，面對不同社交的軟件、龐大的數據流動、科技帶來的新認知及焦慮、新時代的人際關係等類的課題，讓我藏於一角思考，世界給予我們的資源，我們如何分配、如何運用？過於顯露自我的日常，是否漸漸失去對私隱的界線？塑造他人心中的自我形象，也是一種不知不覺的焦慮，甚至可能源於一種內在的自我否定。
能提出懷疑的心，這是一個挺重要的思考能力。對於自己是否已掉進無法抽離的黑洞及情緒的狀態有所行動，即使觀察世界從疫情後的變化，無力對抗世界對本地社區失去尊重及欣賞的心，看見不少老店更遭受結業潮的影響，從前的童年回憶逐漸逝去，自身對此地的情愫也受到破壞，畫面非常陌生⋯但，世界仍存留著不少「隱系人類」，他們的付出實在值得尊重，即使世界沒有展現對他們的高度表揚，他們也會一直努力，邁向自己所定義的最高理想。
一個人是否成功，不在乎外表展現的風光，而是所做一切事對自己來說，是否有意義及有價值，此比收到世界的讚賞更重要。
「或許你會問，大部分人都是默默工作，為什麼他們不是隱系人類？隱系人類並不是指小螺絲釘一樣的尋常工作者。所謂的隱系人類（真的，我是研究了很久才找出它的定義）都屬於技術高超的人士，無論身在哪個行業，都工作吃重。他們和美國的貧苦勞動階層不同，也和開發中世界裡埋頭苦幹的工廠勞工不同。隱系人類往往成就非凡，因其專業技術和工作表現而受到同事的肯定與高度尊重。更令人敬佩的是，儘管這些隱系人類有機會追求其他事業，卻選擇或在其機緣巧合下進入那一行，決定待下來，即便永遠得不到直接客戶的肯定。我們多數人都希望得到適度表揚，就算拍拍背也好，但隱系人類不屑於此。然而，他們卻是最有成就感的一群人。」
「與其浪費時間上線推銷自己，不停思考如何自我推銷，還不如實際去做你想做的事，從事真正的創作，而不是把自己包裝成一個會創作東西的人，因為除了時間和腦力的浪費以外，現在又出現另一個風險——你試圖留下美好印象的人會疏遠你。由於自我包裝太普通，所以現在只要有誰太過度包裝或推銷自我，或者方法太過度誇張，便會覺得對方不老實。因為畢竟包裝這種事情就算沒有不老實，也一定只會強調自己的光明面。（別忘了自我推銷嫉妒循環這回事。你在臉書上有多少『朋友』會定期分享自己的不堪事蹟？）有一位個人包裝作家反駁說，『個人包裝』只是『名聲』的另一種說法罷了。不管你怎麼稱呼它，這都不重要。哪怕你創造的這個品牌百分之百符合現實，沒有故意撒謊吹捧自己，但問題在於你會花很多時間擔心你在別人眼裡的形象是什麼。」
*
作者在書內提及十位出色的工作者，揭露他們所持著「隱系人類」的特徵，分別有三種：
（一）具有專業技術，掌握所有細節裡的魔鬼，成就過人的細膩工夫；
（二）意志堅定，不受權力和名氣影響，只問工作和內在目標是否一致；
（三）懂得合作與讓步，完美執行任務，隱身而不留名。
此外，身為其中一員的大衛·茨威格（David Zweig），透過對十位專業人士的工作流程、所展現的態度，從中學習及細心觀察，並留意他們與現實的關係，分析有關對「隱系人類」的獨有表現，再度深化其觀念至現在，如何釋出尊重及欣賞的心，向他們一一致敬。慣常以傳統觀念判斷職業的我們，至今是如何看待自由職業、工作該有的操守及原則、工作的界線與定義等，這些令我有所反思。尤其是近年新時代興起的Gen Z，他們有趣的舉動足以令我們反思何謂工作、何謂人生、何謂自我、何謂家庭、何謂朋友。
再者，面對不同社交的軟件、龐大的數據流動、科技帶來的新認知及焦慮、新時代的人際關係等類的課題，讓我藏於一角思考，世界給予我們的資源，我們如何分配、如何運用？過於顯露自我的日常，是否漸漸失去對私隱的界線？塑造他人心中的自我形象，也是一種不知不覺的焦慮，甚至可能源於一種內在的自我否定。
能提出懷疑的心，這是一個挺重要的思考能力。對於自己是否已掉進無法抽離的黑洞及情緒的狀態有所行動，即使觀察世界從疫情後的變化，無力對抗世界對本地社區失去尊重及欣賞的心，看見不少老店更遭受結業潮的影響，從前的童年回憶逐漸逝去，自身對此地的情愫也受到破壞，畫面非常陌生⋯但，世界仍存留著不少「隱系人類」，他們的付出實在值得尊重，即使世界沒有展現對他們的高度表揚，他們也會一直努力，邁向自己所定義的最高理想。
一個人是否成功，不在乎外表展現的風光，而是所做一切事對自己來說，是否有意義及有價值，此比收到世界的讚賞更重要。
April 21, 2020
3.5/5 stars.
I randomly picked this book up after reading the subtitle of this book.
I believed taking credit for your work and relentless self promotion was like way to grow in any career, there is no other way. I mean all those successful ones are famous, right?
I thought of giving this book a chance and seeing what the author had to say to believe otherwise.
During the course of this book, you deep dive into the lives of many different people having very very different careers. From a person in wayfinding (they design airport and other buildings for easy navigation), structural engineer, a piano tuner, a nose (they come with perfume formulations for various brands and celebraties) to a manager of a rock band you get to a behind the scenes pass to their lives.
By the means of these various stories, the author tries to convince us that being famous or renowned is not a sure sign of being successful. Moreover being "successful" and famous will not necessarily imply happiness.
Eveey person we meet is not only good at their job i.e successful they are happy as well. Because their happiness doesn't stem from recognition and praises but from the work they do. They have perfected their skills and are just happy using it and improving it.
If you are someone who would like to read about a few random careers or are looking to make a little more sense of why are you doing whatever you are doing, or simply just wondering what your work adds up to, pick this up.
It's a nice casual read.
I randomly picked this book up after reading the subtitle of this book.
I believed taking credit for your work and relentless self promotion was like way to grow in any career, there is no other way. I mean all those successful ones are famous, right?
I thought of giving this book a chance and seeing what the author had to say to believe otherwise.
During the course of this book, you deep dive into the lives of many different people having very very different careers. From a person in wayfinding (they design airport and other buildings for easy navigation), structural engineer, a piano tuner, a nose (they come with perfume formulations for various brands and celebraties) to a manager of a rock band you get to a behind the scenes pass to their lives.
By the means of these various stories, the author tries to convince us that being famous or renowned is not a sure sign of being successful. Moreover being "successful" and famous will not necessarily imply happiness.
Eveey person we meet is not only good at their job i.e successful they are happy as well. Because their happiness doesn't stem from recognition and praises but from the work they do. They have perfected their skills and are just happy using it and improving it.
If you are someone who would like to read about a few random careers or are looking to make a little more sense of why are you doing whatever you are doing, or simply just wondering what your work adds up to, pick this up.
It's a nice casual read.
November 28, 2017
The good
The book offers an interesting, fresh perspective on how and why some people (invisibles) do their work. They do meticulous work and seek reward in doing the work itself, not in being recognized.
These people are allegedly more satisfied with their life and offer more value to the economy than their attention-seeking, self-promoting counterparts.
The bad
Unfortunately, I found the book to be longer than necessary. I also felt that it was not as well-researched as I would have liked. It almost felt like he has written a book just to write one, not because he actually had something great to offer. In addition, there were lots of events being narrated e.g. encounters with people he interviewed, with excessive descriptions of objects and actions. If I wanted to hear things like that, I would be reading fiction.
Conclusion
You're not going to enjoy this book as much as you would reading fiction. Hearing about the concept is worth it, though, and for that I recommend reading everything but skimming the parts where he describes the interviewee's jobs in detail.
The book offers an interesting, fresh perspective on how and why some people (invisibles) do their work. They do meticulous work and seek reward in doing the work itself, not in being recognized.
These people are allegedly more satisfied with their life and offer more value to the economy than their attention-seeking, self-promoting counterparts.
The bad
Unfortunately, I found the book to be longer than necessary. I also felt that it was not as well-researched as I would have liked. It almost felt like he has written a book just to write one, not because he actually had something great to offer. In addition, there were lots of events being narrated e.g. encounters with people he interviewed, with excessive descriptions of objects and actions. If I wanted to hear things like that, I would be reading fiction.
Conclusion
You're not going to enjoy this book as much as you would reading fiction. Hearing about the concept is worth it, though, and for that I recommend reading everything but skimming the parts where he describes the interviewee's jobs in detail.
October 14, 2019
Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
by David Zweig is a book extolling the benefits of mastering one’s craft, even in the absence of outside recognition and rewards. Zweig’s definition of an invisible involves three primary traits: They eschew recognition, they are meticulous to a fault and they eagerly embrace responsibility.
The best part of Invisibles are the invisibles themselves. Zweig found a number of incredible people with extraordinary jobs who are mind-boggling adroit at performing their work. One invisible is an interpreter for the UN who can listen to one language and speak in a different language at the same time. Invisibles falters when Zweig takes center stage. Zweig too frequently inserts himself into the story of the invisibles which only serves to muffle rather than amplify their voices. Additionally, Zwieg’s descriptions of the technical details of the invisibles’ work comes off as clumsy and serves to confuse rather than clarify complex processes and procedures. Invisibles is well worth a read, but would have benefited from the author taking his own advice.
by David Zweig is a book extolling the benefits of mastering one’s craft, even in the absence of outside recognition and rewards. Zweig’s definition of an invisible involves three primary traits: They eschew recognition, they are meticulous to a fault and they eagerly embrace responsibility.
The best part of Invisibles are the invisibles themselves. Zweig found a number of incredible people with extraordinary jobs who are mind-boggling adroit at performing their work. One invisible is an interpreter for the UN who can listen to one language and speak in a different language at the same time. Invisibles falters when Zweig takes center stage. Zweig too frequently inserts himself into the story of the invisibles which only serves to muffle rather than amplify their voices. Additionally, Zwieg’s descriptions of the technical details of the invisibles’ work comes off as clumsy and serves to confuse rather than clarify complex processes and procedures. Invisibles is well worth a read, but would have benefited from the author taking his own advice.
May 26, 2023
I thought the author would talk about the “invisibles” in the society who do important work.
While he does that, author chides individuality, personal aspirations of money and fame and celebrates “Asian values” of sacrificing personal advancement for company’s growth.
I would agree to all of it has the author remained invisible. But he clearly wanted author credits for this book. He tweets often instead of just doing “anonymous” “invisible” work. HYPOCRISY max.
His ideas are problematic:
1. As I said, the book celebrates how “Asian values” make people sacrifice their personal advancement for company’s growth. What if this company is a colonisation enterprise? Is it these “Asian values” that the East India Company then and the neo-colonial enterprises abuse today to further injustice?
2. He applauds the invisibles who are just proud of their work without any expectation of money and fame. He said “invisibility is mark of honour”. He should have done some basic reading of psychology (pygmalion effect/golem effect) and economics (incentives; nudge theory). Stupid ideas antithetical to human behaviour.
Wish there is a way to give 0 stars.
While he does that, author chides individuality, personal aspirations of money and fame and celebrates “Asian values” of sacrificing personal advancement for company’s growth.
I would agree to all of it has the author remained invisible. But he clearly wanted author credits for this book. He tweets often instead of just doing “anonymous” “invisible” work. HYPOCRISY max.
His ideas are problematic:
1. As I said, the book celebrates how “Asian values” make people sacrifice their personal advancement for company’s growth. What if this company is a colonisation enterprise? Is it these “Asian values” that the East India Company then and the neo-colonial enterprises abuse today to further injustice?
2. He applauds the invisibles who are just proud of their work without any expectation of money and fame. He said “invisibility is mark of honour”. He should have done some basic reading of psychology (pygmalion effect/golem effect) and economics (incentives; nudge theory). Stupid ideas antithetical to human behaviour.
Wish there is a way to give 0 stars.
October 4, 2014
We live in a world where if you aren’t constantly grabbing the brass ring of attention, then you don’t exist. We see this is business (Donald Trump), politics (Sarah Palin), academia (Camille Paglia), show business (the Kardashians), sports (Dennis Rodman) and media/punditry (Ann Coulter, Al Sharpton).
And in my corner of the Internet there are countless of bloggers who seem more interested in branding themselves via social media than writing actual interesting, informative or entertaining posts. They have nothing to say and say it all the time.
In our “Look at me!” culture, we loathe the idea of being invisible. We think of an invisible person as a mindless drone, slaving away at a nothing job, wasting the best years of his or her life in some sterile cubicle, “working for the man.”
But for writer David Zweig, there are countless people working very important jobs requiring various talents, skills and experience. We don’t know their names, but they are quite impressive. And Zweig gives them their due in his wonderfully detailed and enlightening book, Invisibles: The Power of the Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion.
Invisibles are found in all kinds of industries like entertainment, architecture, engineering, graphics and design, diplomacy, media, cosmetics and fragrances, and medicine. Their work is vital, interesting and often benefit society. And instead of seeking fame and fortune, invisibles just keep on doing their work.
According to Zweig, invisibles share three significant traits: Ambivalence toward recognition, a meticulousness approach to work, and relishing responsibility in all its forms.
Invisibles are often quite well-regarded in their various professions and many of them have won notable awards for their work. However, to invisibles it’s the work that is truly rewarding.
Invisibles are meticulous about what they do; they remain focused on excellency, constant improvement and doing a task to the best of their abilities.
Invisibles don’t shy away from responsibility; they thrive on it. They know countless people rely on their labor so they are committed to getting things done right.
Zweig devotes several chapters to these invisibles and I found myself fascinated. When you spritz on your favorite fragrance do you think about the time and effort that went into making the fragrance smell the way it does? David Apel is a fragrance designer, also known as a “nose,” and he has created some of the most famous and best-selling fragrances on the market.
Jim Harding is a “wayfinder.” What’s a wayfinder you wonder? Well, if you’ve been through an airport you’re probably familiar with Mr. Harding’s type of work. Mr. Harding designs the “cues,” which include signage that help us navigate through places like airport terminals. Mr. Harding’s work includes choosing certain graphics and typefaces that lessen our confusion. As someone who gets confused going from the couch to the fridge, thank you Mr. Harding.
Guilia Wilkins Ary is fluent in several skills and works as an interpreter at the UN. Ms. Wilkins Ary hears a certain language, interprets that language in her head, and then speaks a completely new language while continuing to listen and interpret the original language. Ms. Wilkins Ary’s amazing skills are vital to diplomacy and maintaining peace amongst nations.
Robert Elswit is an Oscar-winning cinematographer for the movie “There Will Be Blood.” He has also worked on such as like “Michael Clayton,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “Syriana,” and “The Bourne Legacy.” You may not know his name, but you if you’ve seen these movies, you know his work. Mr. Elswit is responsible for giving a film a certain “look” through lighting, diffusion filters, camera lens choices, camera movements and other special effects.
Do you wonder how skyscrapers stay standing? It is people like Dennis Poon who guarantee the structural reliability of tall buildings so countless people can work on even the highest office floor and not worry about the building tumbling over even in the mightiest of winds.
And then there is Pete Clements, who goes by the nickname Plank. Plank is a technician for the rock band Radiohead. He makes sure the drum kit, guitars, amps and other effects are in working order when Radiohead performs. During one concert, lead singer Thom Yorke may use up to 12 guitars. Plank tunes these guitars before and during a concert. If a guitar isn’t tuned properly, well, it might lead to many disappointed Radiohead fans.
Zweig’s praise for the invisibles comes from a legitimate place. Zweig once worked as a fact check for Conde Nast. Fact checkers do just that, check facts to make sure an article’s data, quotes and other bits of information are truthful before a publication goes to print. Fact checkers probably stave off plenty of libel suits but for the most part they are, yes, invisible in the multi-media world.
In addition to profiling several Invisibles, Zweig also covers the very American idea of self-promotion and living in a world where our Facebook profiles and our Tweets define us more than our actual work and output. There is nothing wrong with a bit of self-promotion in moderation, but some people get so wrapped up in the idea of being a “brand,” that their work suffers and this can harm their careers, not enhance them.
Invisibles is a vital book that reminds us of the importance of hard work, talent and skill, responsibility and experience, and should especially be read by people who think they are solely defined by their Facebook profiles, Twitter feeds, and Pinterest boards. Now stop posting your selfies on Instagram and get back to work.
Originally Published at The Book Self:
http://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com/...
And in my corner of the Internet there are countless of bloggers who seem more interested in branding themselves via social media than writing actual interesting, informative or entertaining posts. They have nothing to say and say it all the time.
In our “Look at me!” culture, we loathe the idea of being invisible. We think of an invisible person as a mindless drone, slaving away at a nothing job, wasting the best years of his or her life in some sterile cubicle, “working for the man.”
But for writer David Zweig, there are countless people working very important jobs requiring various talents, skills and experience. We don’t know their names, but they are quite impressive. And Zweig gives them their due in his wonderfully detailed and enlightening book, Invisibles: The Power of the Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion.
Invisibles are found in all kinds of industries like entertainment, architecture, engineering, graphics and design, diplomacy, media, cosmetics and fragrances, and medicine. Their work is vital, interesting and often benefit society. And instead of seeking fame and fortune, invisibles just keep on doing their work.
According to Zweig, invisibles share three significant traits: Ambivalence toward recognition, a meticulousness approach to work, and relishing responsibility in all its forms.
Invisibles are often quite well-regarded in their various professions and many of them have won notable awards for their work. However, to invisibles it’s the work that is truly rewarding.
Invisibles are meticulous about what they do; they remain focused on excellency, constant improvement and doing a task to the best of their abilities.
Invisibles don’t shy away from responsibility; they thrive on it. They know countless people rely on their labor so they are committed to getting things done right.
Zweig devotes several chapters to these invisibles and I found myself fascinated. When you spritz on your favorite fragrance do you think about the time and effort that went into making the fragrance smell the way it does? David Apel is a fragrance designer, also known as a “nose,” and he has created some of the most famous and best-selling fragrances on the market.
Jim Harding is a “wayfinder.” What’s a wayfinder you wonder? Well, if you’ve been through an airport you’re probably familiar with Mr. Harding’s type of work. Mr. Harding designs the “cues,” which include signage that help us navigate through places like airport terminals. Mr. Harding’s work includes choosing certain graphics and typefaces that lessen our confusion. As someone who gets confused going from the couch to the fridge, thank you Mr. Harding.
Guilia Wilkins Ary is fluent in several skills and works as an interpreter at the UN. Ms. Wilkins Ary hears a certain language, interprets that language in her head, and then speaks a completely new language while continuing to listen and interpret the original language. Ms. Wilkins Ary’s amazing skills are vital to diplomacy and maintaining peace amongst nations.
Robert Elswit is an Oscar-winning cinematographer for the movie “There Will Be Blood.” He has also worked on such as like “Michael Clayton,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “Syriana,” and “The Bourne Legacy.” You may not know his name, but you if you’ve seen these movies, you know his work. Mr. Elswit is responsible for giving a film a certain “look” through lighting, diffusion filters, camera lens choices, camera movements and other special effects.
Do you wonder how skyscrapers stay standing? It is people like Dennis Poon who guarantee the structural reliability of tall buildings so countless people can work on even the highest office floor and not worry about the building tumbling over even in the mightiest of winds.
And then there is Pete Clements, who goes by the nickname Plank. Plank is a technician for the rock band Radiohead. He makes sure the drum kit, guitars, amps and other effects are in working order when Radiohead performs. During one concert, lead singer Thom Yorke may use up to 12 guitars. Plank tunes these guitars before and during a concert. If a guitar isn’t tuned properly, well, it might lead to many disappointed Radiohead fans.
Zweig’s praise for the invisibles comes from a legitimate place. Zweig once worked as a fact check for Conde Nast. Fact checkers do just that, check facts to make sure an article’s data, quotes and other bits of information are truthful before a publication goes to print. Fact checkers probably stave off plenty of libel suits but for the most part they are, yes, invisible in the multi-media world.
In addition to profiling several Invisibles, Zweig also covers the very American idea of self-promotion and living in a world where our Facebook profiles and our Tweets define us more than our actual work and output. There is nothing wrong with a bit of self-promotion in moderation, but some people get so wrapped up in the idea of being a “brand,” that their work suffers and this can harm their careers, not enhance them.
Invisibles is a vital book that reminds us of the importance of hard work, talent and skill, responsibility and experience, and should especially be read by people who think they are solely defined by their Facebook profiles, Twitter feeds, and Pinterest boards. Now stop posting your selfies on Instagram and get back to work.
Originally Published at The Book Self:
http://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com/...
June 25, 2017
In this modern day culture of self-praise and self-promotion, David Zweig provides an excellent reminder that there are select individuals in a variety of fields who are really at top of their game but wish to go un-noticed by preference. Who would really think of Way-finding as a field when going through airports or really think about the structural engineer when looking at super high-rises or really think about the master perfumer when buying a Calvin Klein or Hugo Boss perfume or really think about the real time language translators at United Nations who are really critical for the functioning of that world body or really think about the professional guitar tuner at a sold out Rock Concert. If you are looking for that one thought provoking book for this summer's read, do consider Invisibles.
April 10, 2018
The stories behind these 'invisible' professions make for some interesting moments, and if Zweig could have stuck closer to his subjects, his book would have been far more enjoyable.
Instead, he inserts himself at every moment (or the persona he's created for this text) as if he's an intrepid, earnest, somewhat naive explorer in this venture (which in and of itself is a tad grating). Unfortunately, that persona also comes across at various junctures as moralistic and preachy (while often claiming he's not) as well as rambling and unfocused. For someone writing about the invisible roles in the professional workforce and advocating against the striving for self-promotion, Zweig, in a moment of unintentional irony, cannot keep the limelight off his own character for more than a few pages. Too bad he couldn't get out of the way of his own book to let his subjects better shine.
Instead, he inserts himself at every moment (or the persona he's created for this text) as if he's an intrepid, earnest, somewhat naive explorer in this venture (which in and of itself is a tad grating). Unfortunately, that persona also comes across at various junctures as moralistic and preachy (while often claiming he's not) as well as rambling and unfocused. For someone writing about the invisible roles in the professional workforce and advocating against the striving for self-promotion, Zweig, in a moment of unintentional irony, cannot keep the limelight off his own character for more than a few pages. Too bad he couldn't get out of the way of his own book to let his subjects better shine.
May 29, 2023
I would have enjoyed the entire book immensely even if it had only contained the stories detailing the workaday lives of people behind the scenes such as the piano and guitar technicians for a major symphony orchestra and a top long-running band. However, the points most applicable in daily life were in a middle chapter entitled "Fame, success and the myth of self-promotion" and in the introduction where the author describes three characteristics of Invisibles - ambivalence towards recognition, meticulousness and savoring of responsibility. In a world of "microcelebrity," Invisibles challenges the reader to question whether basing satisfaction on the number of likes, subscribers & followers is worth it, and to delve into a project or job at hand for the sake of doing the best possible work.
December 27, 2021
Are you pursuing an expert career path? Then this is the book for you!
I was very inspired by the fascinating stories in this book.
The three traits on the Invisibles, people who are composing light while remaining in another’s shadow are:
1. Ambivalence toward recognition
2. Meticulousness
3. Savoring of responsibility
The Invisibles, they are engineers, UN interpreters (like my younger brother), anesthesiologists and many super highly skilled people.
The lesson from the book: “Forget about self-esteem and concentrate more on self-control and self-discipline. Recent work on psychology suggests this would be good for the individual and good for society”.
Super engaged read. Highly recommended!
I was very inspired by the fascinating stories in this book.
The three traits on the Invisibles, people who are composing light while remaining in another’s shadow are:
1. Ambivalence toward recognition
2. Meticulousness
3. Savoring of responsibility
The Invisibles, they are engineers, UN interpreters (like my younger brother), anesthesiologists and many super highly skilled people.
The lesson from the book: “Forget about self-esteem and concentrate more on self-control and self-discipline. Recent work on psychology suggests this would be good for the individual and good for society”.
Super engaged read. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews