INSTINCT: Tapping Your Entreprenurial DNA to Achieve Your Business Goals

by Tom Harrison

"Could there possibly be any ways left to parse 'success'? My loud and clear answer, after reading Tom Harrison's INSTINCT, is a resounding 'Yes.' This is a thoroughly original, engaging, scientific and counter-intuitive take on success and entrepreneurial behavior. I have but one bone to pick: I dearly wish this book had been available to me 20 years ago!"
— Tom Peters, bestselling author of IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE and RE-IMAGINE

Is the ability to succeed in business hard-wired into your DNA? Are entrepreneurs simply born to win? What can you do to ensure your personal success?

Startling and groundbreaking, INSTINCT applies tools and insights from human gene research to the concept of success. Authored by Tom Harrison, a corporate CEO who began his successful career as a cell biologist, it argues convincingly that successful people, especially winning entrepreneurs, tend to have certain identifiable talents encoded in their genes. Yes, there are "born entrepreneurs" whose lives and work are characterized by genetic traits and markers, from risk-taking and openness to conscientiousness and agreeableness, that predict their eventual triumphs.

But does that mean the rest of us are doomed to failure or to a lackluster career? Absolutely not! Because none of us has inherited perfect genes, knowing who you are, in terms of your "DNA for Success" enables you to adopt personalized compensation strategies that will allow you to win. Through detailed and revealing personal evaluations, Harrison shows readers how to assess themselves, leverage their individual strengths and compensate for any weakness, so they can begin taking steps toward their success and taking advantage of what he calls the "addiction to success."

Stunning in its business scope and razor sharp in its analysis of current science, INSTINCT essentially takes the Horatio Alger myth and stands it completely on its head. Financial success is seen here as a matter not of inherited wealth, not of fortuitous circumstances, not even of innate intelligence--but of inborn traits that have to be "switched on" to create the winning scenario that's right for you. Ultimately Harrison tells you how to think and behave like an entrepreneur, to "paint a mental picture" of your next career goal and then to make it a reality for yourself.

Combining understandable scientific data and rich anecdotal evidence, INSTINCT will change the way you think about success, your career and your own level of job satisfaction. It will show you how to develop your personalized plan for success. In the new age of entreprenurialism, INSTINCT is sure to be discussed from breakfast tables to boardrooms to business-schools around the world.

The text of this edition was revised and updated in 2012.

INSTINCT, "an intriguing new way of looking at the ingredients of business success." "INSTINCT is an interesting read because of the novel way it endeavors to repackage a lot of time-proven business wisdom."
— The Fort Worth Star Telegram

"The mark of a successful businessman is the ability to innovate and adapt. In INSTINCT, Tom Harrison shows you how to unlock the abilities you already possess, and how to obtain the ones you don't. A must-read for anyone who's ever dreamed big."
— Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Five-Time NBA Champion and CEO of Johnson Development Corporation

"...Instinct has provided special inspiration. In addition to it being a timely read, you have captured the essence of my decision-making process... This has provided great comfort and motivation.

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.