Flying Without a Net: Turn Fear of Change into Fuel for Success

by Thomas J. DeLong

Named one of 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime by Amazon Editors

Confronted by omnipresent threats of job loss and change, even the brightest among us are anxious. In response, we're hunkering down, blocking ourselves from new challenges. This response hurts us and our organizations, but we fear making ourselves even more vulnerable by committing mistakes while learning something new.

In Flying Without a Net, Thomas DeLong explains how to draw strength from vulnerability. First, understand the forces that escalate anxiety in high achievers and the unproductive behaviors you turn to for relief. Then adopt practices that give you the courage to "do the right things poorly" before "doing the right things well."

Drawing on his extensive research and consulting work, DeLong lays

- Roots of high achievers' fear of being wrong and lack of a sense of purpose, and a craving for human connection

- Destructive behaviors we adopt to relieve our busyness, comparing ourselves to others, and blaming others for our frustrations

- Behaviors we must adopt to gain strength from putting the past behind us and seeking honest feedback

Packed with practical advice and inspiring stories, Flying Without a Net is an invaluable resource for all leaders seeking to thrive in this Age of Anxiety.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Psychology, Leadership, Self Help, Personal Development, Entrepreneurship

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2011

Reviews

[Mansur Mustaquim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read that came into my hands at a rather appropriate moment in my career. So it certainly left a favorable impression. The first two chapters were spot on, they described me. The next few were hit-and-miss; and the last few chapters were just reminders. The items mentioned in the book are neither new nor provide any greater insights or understanding. This book is more of a coach than a teacher.

[Sotiris Yannopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an easy to read and insightful book. I really enjoyed the simple story telling and great questions, methodologies proposed. Tom goes in great lengths to bring to life some of the mechanisms that can limit many high-need-to-achieve individuals. Why they hit a wall, what traps they are falling and what to do to progress and achieve fulfillment. So simple, yet so difficult to understand when you are doing the “wrong thing well” while you should be doing the “right thing bad” and how to overcome your reservations and move on. Highly recommended.

[Vũ Đăng Công · Rating 4 out of 5]

Càng làm giỏi một điều gì đó chúng ta lại càng dễ sinh ra những nỗi sợ vô hình. Chúng ta sợ bị mất hình ảnh, chúng ta không dám từ bỏ những thứ mình đang làm giỏi. Cuốn sách hướng dẫn chúng ta cách vượt qua các nỗi sợ đó để tiến tới thành công lớn hơn, sẵn sàng chấp nhận các rủi ro.
Có những ý rất hay trong cuốn sách này đó là:
- Chấp nhận từ bỏ việc bạn làm giỏi nhưng không đáng làm để chuyển qua làm việc bạn chưa giỏi nhưng đáng làm. Rồi từ đó mới phát triển lên thành làm giỏi việc đáng làm.
- Hãy tìm một người sẵn sàng nói cho bạn sự thật dù đau lòng để cải thiện bản thân.

[Amy Bobryk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recommended for entrepreneurs starting out on their own (sounds legit with the title) but I really only related slightly to one chapter. It was interesting - but read more like a textbook telling me why high achievers are different instead of what to do about it as a high achiever. I wish the first 80% of the book was condensed to like an intro - the last 20% was the start because I felt like I was just left with the felling - “ok - now what?”

[Aure · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as i thought, but nonetheless interesting.

[Seha Ozgur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful summary of helpful approaches for typical pitfalls for high achievers. It is a quick read, simply written and tangible.

The question which kept going through my mind as I read this otherwise quite insightful book was how the institutions mentioned (where the anxious individual is trying to succeed) might themselves be systematically - and to a degree knowingly - creating the anxiety the author is trying to help the individual (the reader) battle. Should the individual try to adapt their behaviour to succeed in such business models, or leave them behind altogether?

Nonetheless, it was a good read, the issues are real and I have been able to put some of the ideas in the book to good use.

[Krithika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really resonated with me. Though the solutions offered for changing the patterns of behavior were rather generalized, it was nonetheless extremely useful to identify patterns that trap and stagnate growth and change -- both personally, but especially professionally. I can imagine that I may have made some very different decisions if I had read this book a few years ago.

[Derek]

Flying Without a Net is different from other business and career advice books. I consider myself a High Need For Achievement Individual (the focus of this book), yet less than 50% of the framework felt like it applied to me in my situation. However, there were a lot of gems throughout the book (i.e. pit stops, looking busy, conversations inside your head, etc.) which I learned from.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is written with CEO's and business folk in mind, but I found by changing a few words all the insights applied to professional creatives as well. I will reread this soon.

[H. Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and easy to read, this book served as an excellent reminder to stay focused on my goals, rather than be distracted by what is happening around me. A good reminder, if nothing else.

[JCC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read but not inovative or insightful as expected.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leadereview.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting bits, but overall could be more concise.

[Sudhanshu Bhatia]

I love to read motivational books.

[Maansi Gagroo]

DNF. Lost interest.