What will I learn about: transform your daily tasks into a vehicle for positive change by "job crafting" and reframing your work's greater purpose?

Learn how to transform your daily tasks into a vehicle for positive change by "job crafting" and reframing your work's greater purpose.

What will I learn about: why building upon existing good work and embracing strict constraints can actually spark amazing creativity, just as it did for Dr. Seuss?

Discover why building upon existing good work and embracing strict constraints can actually spark amazing creativity, just as it did for Dr. Seuss.

What will I learn about: the power of asking the right questions and treating everyday problems as opportunities to invent something the world will truly love?

Understand the power of asking the right questions and treating everyday problems as opportunities to invent something the world will truly love.

What will I learn about: how investigating challenges firsthand and analyzing past patterns can give you the unique perspective needed to deliver game-changing solutions?

Find out how investigating challenges firsthand and analyzing past patterns can give you the unique perspective needed to deliver game-changing solutions.

What will I learn about: the habit of communicating beyond your immediate inner circle to drastically boost your creativity and uncover your greatest ideas?

Master the habit of communicating beyond your immediate inner circle to drastically boost your creativity and uncover your greatest ideas.

Great Work

How to Make a Difference People Love

David Sturt

★ 4.2 / 5(28 ratings)

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Categories:

Career & Success Entrepreneurship

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What’s the secret to moving beyond work that’s just "good enough" to creating something that people truly love?
💡What if you could master the five specific skills that allow iconic innovators to consistently make a massive impact?
💡Have you ever wondered why some ideas change the world while others go unnoticed, and how you can ensure yours is one of the former?

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Key Takeaways from Great Work

✓Learn how to transform your daily tasks into a vehicle for positive change by "job crafting" and reframing your work's greater purpose.
✓Discover why building upon existing good work and embracing strict constraints can actually spark amazing creativity, just as it did for Dr. Seuss.
✓Understand the power of asking the right questions and treating everyday problems as opportunities to invent something the world will truly love.
✓Find out how investigating challenges firsthand and analyzing past patterns can give you the unique perspective needed to deliver game-changing solutions.
✓Master the habit of communicating beyond your immediate inner circle to drastically boost your creativity and uncover your greatest ideas.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Great Work

Mind Map

Great Work

Mindset & Approach+

The 5 Skills+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8

According to the text, what does 'reframing' your job entail?

A. Asking for a promotion or a change in job title to reflect your true duties.
B. Making a mental link between your daily tasks and a greater purpose or value to society.
C. Outsourcing the parts of your job that do not directly benefit your clients.
D. Focusing exclusively on your daily to-do list to maximize your workplace efficiency.

Question 2 of 8

How does the book suggest you should view constraints and limitations in your work, using the example of Dr. Seuss?

A. As frustrating barriers that prevent true innovation.
B. As signs that a project should be simplified or abandoned.
C. As ideal starting points that can lead to amazing creativity.
D. As administrative hurdles that can be bypassed with the right mindset.

Question 3 of 8

When Edwin Land's daughter asked why she couldn't see her photo immediately, how did this lead to the invention of the Polaroid camera?

A. He realized that problems are opportunities and looked closely at the question instead of settling for the status quo.
B. He ignored his daughter's question but later read a market research report about instant photography.
C. He realized that children are the primary consumers of photography and designed a toy camera.
D. He consulted with his outer circle to brainstorm entirely new forms of visual media.

Question 4 of 8

What key lesson is illustrated by Netflix co-founder Jim Cook's visit to the mail sorting office?

A. Outsourcing logistics is usually the most cost-effective solution for startups.
B. The best work and solutions often come when you take a look at a problem for yourself.
C. Historical data and past trends are the best predictors of future business success.
D. Mail sorting machines are inherently flawed and must be bypassed entirely.

Question 5 of 8

Why does the author recommend engaging with your 'outer circle' rather than just your 'inner circle' when developing ideas?

A. Your outer circle is more likely to provide financial backing for your projects.
B. Your inner circle is usually too busy with their own tasks to offer meaningful help.
C. Your outer circle will agree with you more quickly, speeding up the implementation process.
D. Your inner circle lacks objectivity, whereas the outer circle provides divergent thinking and unexpected questions.

Question 6 of 8

When 'improving the mix' of an idea, what counterintuitive approach did Apple use with the iPod?

A. Adding as many new features as possible to outpace competitors.
B. Removing complexity by taking away buttons and replacing them with a scrolling wheel.
C. Harmonizing the iPod with older, obsolete technologies to capture a wider market.
D. Refusing to test the product before launch to preserve its novelty.

Question 7 of 8

What distinguishes a 'growth mind-set' from a 'fixed mind-set' in the context of delivering a great product?

A. A growth mind-set believes success is innate, while a fixed mind-set relies heavily on luck.
B. A growth mind-set ignores negative feedback to maintain confidence, while a fixed mind-set obsesses over it.
C. A growth mind-set views success as the result of learning and failing, while a fixed mind-set believes success comes from natural ability.
D. A growth mind-set focuses only on adding new features, while a fixed mind-set focuses on removing them.

Question 8 of 8

How does the story of the Burbn app evolving into Instagram illustrate the concept of 'delivering the difference'?

A. The founders realized their product was perfect as is, they just needed better marketing.
B. The founders embraced a growth mind-set to pivot away from a failed app and focus solely on the one feature people loved.
C. The founders stubbornly kept all the original features but changed the app's name to attract a younger demographic.
D. The founders sold the failed app to a larger corporation to avoid dealing with negative feedback.

Great Work — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Consider how the way you do your job can help others.
32 — Great work builds on the good work that came before it.
43 — ASK: Great work starts with asking the right question.
54 — SEE: Use your unique perspective to create great work.
65 — TALK: The best ideas often emerge when you reach beyond your inner circle.
76 — IMPROVE THE MIX: Refine your ideas before putting them into action.
87 — DELIVER THE DIFFERENCE: A great product isn’t finished after production — it’s finished when it makes an impact.
98 — Final summary

Great Work Summary & Overview

Whether you're an entrepreneur or a corporate employee, Great Work lays out the five primary skills you need to make a difference that people will love. These blinks look at iconic innovations from recent history to offer clear examples of how you can create or improve upon your ideas so they have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Who Should Listen to Great Work?

Anyone who is tired of doing work that’s just “good enough”
Anyone who wants to make a difference in the world
Anyone who has a great idea that they want to put into practice

About the Author: David Sturt

David Sturt is the executive vice-president of consultancy O. C. Tanner, as well as an advisor for numerous Fortune 1000 leaders. He speaks to audiences worldwide on engaging employees, inspiring contributions and rewarding outstanding results.

Great Work

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to Great Work — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from Great Work

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Great Work — Full Chapter Overview

Great Work Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to Great Work?

About the Author: David Sturt

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