MARCH 2012 - AudioFile
Using storytelling, well-researched reporting, and analysis, Pulitzer Prize-winning financial and business writer Anders attempts to explain how to recognize exceptional talent. Robert Fass’s straightforward, somewhat nasal reading is matter-of-fact and businesslike. The content, as well as the narration, is quite bland—the entire experience is akin to a business textbook. Fass does little to distinguish tone or pace within any of the three major themes: Don’t ignore the person whose background teeters between success and failure, look for the obscure talented individual with skills “that whisper,” be cautious with brash talent that shouts at you. Some interesting business examples do not sufficiently compensate for an overall mediocre experience. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
"George Anders is himself a rare find. A superb writer, he brings piercing intellect and persistent curiosity to examine the single most important leadership skill: finding and picking the right people. By turning his own talent upon this vital and elusive question, Anders has done a great service."
Jim Collins, author of How the Mighty Fall and Good to Great
"How do you find brilliant performers? The first step is to read this remarkable, groundbreaking, profoundly useful book-which is not so much a book as a detailed map of the newly revealed landscape of modern talent hunting. Quite simply, the best book on the subject I've ever read."
Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code
"George Anders combines deep reporting, vivid storytelling, and keen analysis to help unravel the mysteries of talent. Whether you're running a large organization or managing a small team, The Rare Find is that rare book-a must-read."
Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind
"George Anders finds the deep truth about choosing people right. You'll never make these supremely important decisions the same way again."
Geoff Colvin, author of Talent Is Overrated
"Resilience, curiosity, and self-reliance are strengths that don't show up in HR hiring manuals. In The Rare Find, George Anders shows that they lead to fresh ways to hunt for talent. More power to him for daring to advocate that which is not obvious."
Andrew S. Grove, former chairman and CEO of Intel Corporation and author of Only the Paranoid Survive
"Well researched, useful, and entertaining . . . The book not only shows how to find and hire top talent, it also provides valuable advice for anyone looking to enhance his or her own performance."
Steven N. Kaplan, Neubauer Family Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
MARCH 2012 - AudioFile
Using storytelling, well-researched reporting, and analysis, Pulitzer Prize-winning financial and business writer Anders attempts to explain how to recognize exceptional talent. Robert Fass’s straightforward, somewhat nasal reading is matter-of-fact and businesslike. The content, as well as the narration, is quite bland—the entire experience is akin to a business textbook. Fass does little to distinguish tone or pace within any of the three major themes: Don’t ignore the person whose background teeters between success and failure, look for the obscure talented individual with skills “that whisper,” be cautious with brash talent that shouts at you. Some interesting business examples do not sufficiently compensate for an overall mediocre experience. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
How-to for headhunters seeking raw, undiscovered talent fromtheNew York Timesbestselling author ofPerfect Enough.
With a maddening number of applications to sift through each day, how can a talent hunter be sure that the best candidate on paper is really the best one for the job?Anders argues that tomorrow's high-performing executives aren't necessarily found on the higher rungs of existing company ladders.In a digital environment driven by keywords,his guide offers a welcome lifeline for candidates who rarely make the top of the search results by taking arefreshingly personal rather than objective approach to making hiring decisions.Comparing the top performers in arenas like professional sports, Hollywood and the military to those with less glamorous occupations, Anders explains the subtler clues wise recruiters use to spot a future star—and charisma is not on the list. He offers fascinating insight into why companies like Goldman Sachs prize ambition over Ivy League educations and how Jeff Bezos scraped together his first million to create Amazon.The result is not so much a formula for finding talent as it is a mindset of being willing to take a risk on prospects with limited experience in order to create—not just poach—potential stars.
A lively and nuanced look at the hiring process.
