Practical Genius: The Real Smarts You Need to Get Your Talents and Passions Working for You [Hardcover]

Gina A Rudan (Author), Kevin Carroll (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: October 11, 2011

WHAT’S YOUR GENIUS?

Most people consider genius to be a gift, a “lightning bolt from the gods” that strikes people like Einstein or Mozart, but not the rest of us. They see it as a quality—like creativity—that has a magical, exclusive, elusive connotation.

That is simply not true, says Gina Rudan. Every one of us has a capacity for genius. Anyone is capable of achieving something so extraordinary that it could change the game for you, your business, and every aspect of your life. In Practical Genius, Rudan shows you how to:

• Identify your genius

• Express it in everyday life

• Surround yourself with genius

• Sustain genius for a lifetime of personal and professional satisfaction

• Market your genius to others

Each stage features exercises to guide you along the way, leaving you feeling accomplished and ready for the next stage. The outcome is a profound revelation: You have the tools and ability to realize greatness both in and out of the workplace.

UNLEASH YOUR GENIUS

Forget what you think you know about genius. It’s not about having a Mensa I.Q. or painting the Sistine Chapel. Everyone’s got genius, but it’s up to you to find it, put it to work, and watch it change your life. With the help of Practical Genius, you will:

Identify your genius. Where do your passions and your talents meet? (page 23)

Express your genius. What’s your story, and how do you share it with others? (page 57)

Surround yourself with genius. Who do you need in your tribe? (page 93)

Sustain your genius. How do you feed and care for your genius? (page 135)

Market your genius. Why are your contradictions actually your largest competitive advantage? (page 165)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Practical Genius combines unstoppable optimism with unflinching straight talk to coach you through the process of uncovering your talents and putting them to work. There’s a genius inside you, and Gina Rudan is the person to help you let it out.”

—Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind

“Practical Genius is the kind of book whose time has come. Its message is must reading for those who want to live and contribute fully—and who don’t want an illness or accident to be their wake-up call!”

—Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

“Gina motivates people to life-transforming action with her witty, manifesto-style message. And she offers the inspiration and skills we need to compete and succeed, but above all, to fully realize our potential."

—Naomi Wolf, author of The Beauty Myth

"Gina’s vision of a world of people intensely and intuitively connected by their activated genius is gorgeous.  Practical Genius sets an exciting course for the individual and the community, and it’s a journey not to be missed."

--Jeff Rosenthal, Co-Founder of Summit Series
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Gina Rudan is the founder and president of Genuine Insights, Inc., a contemporary professional development and training practice. Before launching her own firm, Rudan worked at Fortune 500 companies including Avon Products and PR Newswire. She is also the founder of TEDxMIA and lives in Silicon Valley with her husband and son. Visit her at PracticalGenius.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; 1st edition (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451626045
• ISBN-13: 978-1451626049
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gina is the President of Genuine Insights Inc. a contemporary professional development training practice whose mission is to leverage the genius within every individual and organization. Gina spoke on the subject of genius at the 2010 TED Global conference at Oxford University.

She has been a guest lecturer for organizations including Merck Co., the BET Network, the Interpublic Group and the United States Department of Agriculture. She is also the founder of TEDxMIA, an independent movement to spread new ideas in southern Florida where she resides with her husband and son.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Empty Promise February 11, 2012

By JackWilliams

Format:Hardcover

Wow. Was really pumped at the idea of the book. The reviews here, which now seem obviously coordinated by friends, only heightened that. But completely devoid of any real substance. Basically, the notion of the book is to take whatever's quirky or unique about yourself.. consider it "genius".. and then sell it like the author has. Although.. unless your genius is simply declaring everything genius just because it's different... you're out of luck because the author has already taken that one.

Several other fairly well-traveled concepts such as hang-around-those-you-want-to-be-like or the idea or being genuine are woven into this overall concept that the author just begs the question of the whole book. Actually, she is a genius... at creating the expectation that you're about to hear something original... but it never really happens. The author could probably write an amazing book about PR because she has done a great job of creating the illusion of substance when there really isn't any.

Normally don't like to spend energy being negative about anything but for this book, it's simply wrong NOT to call out this book.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Thank Goodness for Kindle Return Policy... December 28, 2011

By J. Epstein

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I should have suspected something when I saw that all 14 reviews of this book were 5 stars. Probably the authors' friends doing them a favor. I don't know.

It's also possible that I'm not deep enough, not genius enough, or just wasn't in the right frame of mind when I read this book.

What's more, I'm SURE that the authors believe what they wrote and I bet it worked for them.

Still, after the first 10 pages of self-glorification about their path to this amazing process (hey, instead of telling me about HOW you got there, just tell us what it is first), I thought to myself, "ok, I don't have time for this crap. It just feels like a ton of BS."

Thanks goodness for the great Amazon Kindle return policy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200144510

I'm not anti-self-help books. I've read a ton and liked a ton of them. Have reviewed a slew on my blog as well, so that's not it. It's just that this one didn't cut the mustard for me and, well, I feel like it's my duty to help others.

If you don't agree, go ahead, buy it, try it and see for yourself. At least you can return it and get a refund if I'm right.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Compassion Goes a Long Way April 19, 2012

By Statton H.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not a "self-help" book for "Self-Help" books are a complete misnomer. When you read them it's not YOU that is helping "you," it's the author (arguably), and too often they don't really help; they simply give you more ammunition for your already restless mind.

Gina has written an "owner's manual," really, containing a toolkit to help you discover and project your own greatness. Gina believes everyone is great; everyone is a "genius" with unique assets, strengths, and passions. "Practical Genius" is finding the intersection of what you love and what you do best so that can share that greatness with others and, in turn, help them express their greatness as well.

Using the tools (or the "Playbook" as Gina refers to her exercises) is not easy, however. I found myself frustrated many times at not being able to summon the answers to questions like "Can you name the all-time greatest moment of your life?" Or, "What are the `themes' in your life?" Huh? Themes? I have themes?! Despite the periodic frustrations, the "Playbook" helps you gain more inner clarity (and a little self-confidence) and also provides a roadmap on how you can express, sustain, and market your genius.

Authors of similar books provide personal guidance but none do it with the same compassion as Gina. If you have the courage to ask yourself hard questions, Gina will support you on your journey.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Purpose & Life Planning Focused March 26, 2012

By Julia

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Love this book! It's helped me get clearer on my skills, strengths & passions to figure out what is next in my life.
I'm sharing it with others all the time.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to show the genius you discovered in you and tell your story well! November 25, 2011

By RickertPos

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This easy to read manifesto style book will really be usefull, to build your communication around the genius in you. Discover your other G-spot (your genius spot) where what you love to do (fun) means business! Then Gina Amaro Rudan takes you deep into her lessons that exemplify how to tell your story in the most compelling ways.

Since Gina's message has depth, you may want to go back to it more then once. I have also purchased the MP3 audio file.
I for one enjoyed rerunning the chapters one by one by listening; in the car and on the Ipod.

I would say this book is the really cool follow up on: Now discover your strengths by Marcus Buckingham (you should run the online strength-finder-test if you haven't yet uncovered your real talents). So be genius and go ad 'm to your cart ;)

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read the book. Build your tribe. Change your life. October 26, 2011

By John C. Stepper

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Practical Genius" is one of those rare books that can change you. Make you think differently. Alter your course in life.

The book is based on a simple, powerful premise:"when you are a fully realized person - authentic and entirely visible to the world - you are capable of exceptional accomplishments in your work, in your community, and among your friends and family."

Gina Rudan introduces this beautiful and lofty idea on page 5. And the rest of the book brings that idea to life, delivering a practical, insightful, actionable approach for realizing your own practical genius.

A great book may have a few good ideas. This one has fifty. (Chapters 4 and 5 - on building your network and creating the environment to sustain your genius - are nothing short of brilliant.)

And the payback is tremendous. For individuals, Gina's approach can unlock *huge* potential, making our jobs and lives fundamentally better. For firms, a workforce of "fully realized," engaged employees will be dramatically more productive.

I loved the book. I'll be applying the ideas in my own life and handing out copies to people I care about.

Helping others realize their "Practical Genius" might be the greatest gift you could give them.