This month we read and discussed Invisibles: The Unsung Heroes of the Workplace by David Zweig.

We were lucky enough to have Zweig join us during the hangout and learn more about the behind-the-scenes idea-generation work and research.

One of Zweig’s major points that he investigates in the book is understanding what drives us as workers. For the “Invisibles” that he profiled, it was very much less about receiving any kind of recognition for their excellent work and more about the thrill of the challenge and enjoying the responsibility entrusted to them. In today’s culture of constant validation and self-promotion, he argues, we could all learn a thing or two from the Invisibles’ way of approaching work.

Read our more detailed discussion notes here.

Next Month

Our next discussion will take place on September 9 at 1pm ET to talk about Designing for Performance by Lara Callender Hogan.

You can have a look at our reading list if you want to add titles you would like us to consider for future meetings.

Be sure to follow @newsnerdbooks for reminders throughout the month!

This month, we're reading "Invisibles: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Workplace" by David Zweig, in which the author interviews top experts in unusual fields to reveal the quiet workers behind public successes (think fact-checkers, anesthesiologists, U.N. interpreters, and structural engineers).

We’re very happy to announce that Zweig will be joining us for our Google Hangout discussion on Wednesday, August 12, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. RSVP or jump straight to the hangout.

We’re compiling our questions and notes on the discussion Hackpad. Feel free to add your own, or tweet at @newsnerdbooks.

Here’s more info about the book from the advertising copy:

What do fact-checkers, anesthesiologists, U.N. interpreters, and structural engineers have in common? For most of us, the better we perform the more attention we receive. Yet for many "Invisibles"-skilled professionals whose role is critical to whatever enterprise they're a part of-it's the opposite: the better they do their jobs the more they disappear. In fact, often it's only when something goes wrong that they are noticed at all. Millions of Invisibles are hidden in every industry. And despite our culture's increasing celebration of fame in our era of superstar CEOs and assorted varieties of "genius," they're fine with remaining anonymous. David Zweig interviews top experts in unusual fields to reveal the quiet workers behind public successes. Combining in-depth profiles with insights from psychology, sociology, and business, Zweig uncovers how these hidden professionals reap deep fulfillment by relishing the challenges their work presents.

More info about David Zweig, from his website:

David Zweig is a writer, lecturer and musician based in Brooklyn, New York. Invisibles (Penguin, June 2014), his first nonfiction book, is an expansion of his acclaimed Atlantic article “What Do Fact-Checkers and Anesthesiologists Have in Common?” Invisibles has generated press around the world, with coverage in the States, Canada, Italy, France, Australia, South Korea, Ireland, the UK, Peru, Israel, Brazil, and Ukraine, among other countries. Translation rights have been sold in territories in Asia, Europe, and South America.

Hope to see you in a few weeks. Happy reading!