Stretch

A groundbreaking approach to succeeding in business and life, using the science of resourcefulness.We often think the key to success and satisfaction is to get more: more money, time, and possessions; bigger budgets, job titles, and teams; and additional resources for our professional and personal goals. It turns out we're wrong. Using captivating stories to illustrate research in psychology and management, Rice University professor Scott Sonenshein examines why some people and organizations succeed with so little, while others fail with so much.People and organizations approach resources in two different ways: "chasing" and "stretching." When chasing, we exhaust ourselves in the pursuit of more. When stretching, we embrace the resources we already have. This frees us to find creative and productive ways to solve problems, innovate, and engage our work and lives more fully.Stretch shows why everyone-from executives to entrepreneurs, professionals to parents, athletes to artists-performs better with constraints; why seeking too many resources undermines our work and well-being; and why even those with a lot benefit from making the most out of a little.Drawing from examples in business, education, sports, medicine, and history, Scott Sonenshein advocates a powerful framework of resourcefulness that allows anybody to work and live better.

Reviews

We rarely have as much of anything as we want, but we can learn to do more with it. Scott Sonenshein is a gifted thinker whose insights have sharpened my work for over a decade, and his fascinating debut book reveals how resourcefulness is a skill that's waiting to be learned. Get ready to unleash your inner MacGyver. -- Adam Grant, bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take I always appreciate a book that challenges me, forces me to think, and creates constructive discomfort. And I especially value such a book when its key conclusions have a base of research. Dr. Sonenshein has accomplished all this with Stretch, and I am thankful for the chance to grow from reading his work. -- Jim Collins, bestselling author of Good to Great and Great by Choice It's easy to feel like we never have enough time, resources, or money. Scott Sonenshein's surprising and entertaining book inspires and instructs us to make the most out of what we already have. The result is more-more creativity, more engagement, and more satisfaction. -- Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of To Sell is Human and Drive Stretch is a masterpiece. Whether you want to build a better life or a better business, Scott Sonenshein reveals how the power of constraints sets you free and why the lust for more is bad for your mental health and-ironically- your personal success and the success of your business. I love the stories, rigorous research, and especially, how Sonenshein's warmth and wisdom fill every page and make Stretch a joy to read -- Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of the The No Asshole Rule Well-informed and frequently enlightening...Sonenshein is an amiable guide to attaining the benefits of stretching. A convincing argument within a compelling narrative-recommended for business managers and resourceful individuals alike. -- Kirkus In Silicon Valley successful entrepreneurs value constraints to help define both the problem and solution. In Stretch, Scott Sonenshein explains how to turn limitations into valuable assets, helping us achieve our goals both at work and at home. -- Ann Doerr, Chairman, Kahn Academy A smart yet accessible book that will appeal to readers interested in simplifying their careers and lives. -- Library Journal