The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?

By: Seth Godin

Published December 31st 2012 by Portfolio (first published 2012)

Category: Business

Pages: 256 pages

ISBN: 9781591846079

Description:
In Seth GodinÕs most inspiring book yet, he challenges readers to find the courage to treat their work as a form of art.ÊEveryone knows that IcarusÕs father made him wings and told him not to fly too close to the sun. But he ignored that warning and plunged to his doom. WeÕve retold this myth, and many others like it, to generations of kids. All these stories have the same lesson: Play it safe. Obey your parents. Listen to the experts.ÊIt was the perfect propaganda for the industrial economy. What boss wouldnÕt want employees to believe that obedience and conformity are the keys to success?ÊBut thereÕs another part of the myth that those in power hope youÕll forget. Icarus was also warned not to fly too low, because sea water would ruin the lift in his wings. Flying too low is even more dangerous than flying too high, because it feels deceptively safe.

The safety zone has moved. The propaganda has been exposed, and the old promises have been broken: Conformity no longer leads to comfort. But the good news is that creativity is scarce, and more valuable than ever. So is choosing to do something unpredictable and brave: make art.

Being an artist isnÕt a genetic disposition or a specific talent. ItÕs an attitude we can all adopt. ItÕs a hunger to seize new ground, make connections, and work without a map.ÊIf you do those things youÕre an artist, no matter what it says on your business card.

Whether youÕre a teacher, engineer, doctor, middle manager, or customer service rep, you can fly higher by bringing your best self to work. You can care about what youÕre doing today and how you can improve tomorrow. Godin shows us how itÕs possible, and convinces us why itÕs essential.