A groundbreaking book that boldly claims the key to success in business is not talent, connections, or ideas, but the ability to persuade people to take a chance on potential.
No one ever makes it alone. But how come some people can get investors to believe in their ideas while others—sometimes with even better ideas—fall flat? What is it about certain people that make us want to take a bet on them? What is it that makes them backable? As it turns out, it's not what you think. Backability is not driven by having the best experience, the finest pedigree, or the most innovative ideas. In fact, many highly successful people are backed long before they are qualified. We tend to view these people as lucky. But the decision to back them is neither an accident nor a mistake, and rarely the result of good luck.
Drawing from his own business experience, countless interviews with some of tech's biggest innovators, and compelling case studies of classic success stories like Howard Schultz and Elon Musk, Gupta breaks down the six qualities of backable people that get others to take a bet on them. Backable pulls back the curtain on the illusive x factor that some people just seem to have and instead offers concrete tools like crafting the right pitch and appropriately scaling a project's vision. Anyone from aspiring entrepreneurs to start up stars can master these skills and jumpstart their next big idea.
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"The most successful people aren’t just brilliant...they’re backable. This is the quality I look for most in leaders I recruit and entrepreneurs I fund—now I have a great name for it and a playbook for what it takes. Whether you want to get ahead inside a company or build a startup from the ground up, this fascinating book is a must-read."
— Reid Hoffman, co-founder of Linkedin
“The most exceptional people aren’t just brilliant…they’re backable. This remarkable book can be your secret weapon for bringing your idea to life.”
— Daniel Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author“The most successful people aren’t just brilliant…they’re backable…Whether you want to get ahead inside a company or build a startup from the ground up, this fascinating book is a must-read.”
— Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn“Backable provides a super-readable and actionable look at how to make your ideas take flight. Whether you’re pitching a brand-new startup or an idea for your company’s next product, you’ll find a wealth of insights and stories throughout.”
— Mike Krieger, co-founder of InstagramThe most exceptional people aren't just brilliant...they're backable. This remarkable book can be your secret weapon for bringing your idea to life." —Daniel Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive and To Sell is Human
This book is truly brave. I felt like I was sitting with Suneel as he unveiled secret steps that anyone can take to stand out and achieve their dreams.” —Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, bestselling author of Brave Not Perfect
Being backable isn’t just for celebrities and CEOs. It’s a required skill for anyone who is trying to make it in the world. This book will change the trajectory of careers, launch new ideas into the world, and inspire cocktail party conversation for years to come.
— Dr. Jennifer Aaker General Atlantic Professor at Stanford Graduate School of BusinessSuneel Gupta demystifies the “x-factor” I look for in leaders, activists and entrepreneurs. Becoming backable will change how the world sees you—and how you see yourself.
— Brian Grazer, Oscar-winning producerBackable provides a super-readable and actionable look at how to make your ideas take flight. Whether you're pitching a brand-new startup or an idea for your company's next product, you'll find a wealth of insights and stories throughout.
— Mike Krieger, co-founder of InstagramBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Suneel Gupta is an author, a visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School, and host of a hit documentary series. His work has been featured by major outlets including CNBC, TED, and the New York Times. He is the founding CEO of RISE and co-founder of the Gross National Happiness Center in the United States.
Carlye Adler is a best-selling author, book collaborator and award-winning journalist. She is the founder and chief ghost of the Casper Media Group, which creates content for well-known entrepreneurs and leaders in business, entertainment, philanthropy and politics. As a journalist, Carlye’s writing has been published in BusinessWeek, Fast Company, Fortune, Forbes, Newsweek/The Daily Beast, Time, and Wired and has been anthologized in The Best Business Stories of the Year.
Natalie Naudus is one of the most beloved audiobook narrators working today and now author of her debut novel, Gay the Pray Away.