Think Remarkable

March 25, 2024
Growth, grit, and grace are the central qualities shared by “remarkable” people concerned with “making the world a better place,” according to this energetic guide. Remarkable People podcaster Kawasaki (Wise Guy) draws on his years in tech (including as “chief evangelist” for Apple in the mid-1990s) and his interviews with podcast guests ranging from Margaret Atwood to Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak for advice on “making a difference.” His suggestions include joining an organization that fosters a “growth mindset”; perceiving rejection as temporary; pre-reciprocating favors to generate goodwill; and “selling your dream”—which he frames mostly as pitching ideas or products in corporate America. Doing the latter requires a blend of measured confidence, tenacity, and flexibility, according to Kawasaki, who encourages readers to “build on accidental success” like Apple did in 1984, when the company launched the MacIntosh as a “database computer” but changed course when customers began using it for desktop publishing. While the tendency toward motivational speak sometimes confounds (“Do not let others—including yourself—define you”), Kawasaki mostly sticks to pithy, concrete, and upbeat advice for forming connections, staying motivated, and keeping an open mind. His guidance will prove especially valuable for those at the outset of their careers, including the Gen-Z readers to whom the book is dedicated. Aspiring entrepreneurs should take a look.