The Art of Insubordination

How to Dissent and Defy Effectively

By: Todd B. Kashdan

Narrated by: Todd B. Kashdan

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

A highly practical and researched-based toolbox for anyone who wants to create a world with more justice, creativity, and courage.

For too long, the term insubordination has evoked negative feelings and mental images. But for ideas to evolve and societies to progress, it’s vital to cultivate rebels who are committed to challenging conventional wisdom and improving on it. Change never comes easily. And most would-be rebels lack the skills to overcome hostile audiences who cling desperately to the way things are.

Based on cutting-edge research, The Art of Insubordination is the essential guide for anyone seeking to be heard, make change, and rebel against an unhealthy status quo. Learn how to

• Resist the allure of complacency
• Discover the value of being around people who stop conforming and start deviating
• Produce messages that influence the majority—when in the minority
• Build mighty alliances
• Manage the discomfort when trying to rebel
• Champion ideas that run counter to traditional thinking
• Unlock the benefits of being in a group of diverse people holding divergent views
• Cultivate curiosity, courage, and independent, critical thinking in youth

Filled with engaging stories about dissenters in the trenches as well as science that will transform your thinking. The Art of Insubordination is for anyone who seeks more justice, courage, and creativity in the world.

©2021 Todd Kashdan (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of the Excessively Prestigious Book Award

Behavioral Scientist Best Summer Book Reads

Next Big Idea Club "Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2022"

“Todd Kashdan combines cutting-edge science and real-life stories about the kind of insubordination we need to make the world a better place. This is the book that all virtuous rebels need.” —Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better

"Why is it so difficult to do the right thing, especially when the system pushes against us? In this engaging, well-researched book, you'll discover practical ways to speak up, show up and make a difference." —Seth Godin, author of Poke the Box

“Although dissent is an art, Kashdan shows us something even more important and practical—it’s also a science. He does so with an array of captivating and instructive accounts that reveal the value of this skill.” —Robert B. Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-Suasion

Fascinating book on the value of dissent

I’m the author of a book on group dynamics and was nevertheless intrigued by the new insights and studies shared in this book by Todd Kashdan. He explains why we should all care about dissenters—even when we disagree with them—because they unlock our own capacity to share our authentic beliefs and perspectives to make the world a bit better.

Lost me in the middle, ending got my blood flowing

Incredibly strong beginning and ending with a weaker middle portion. Very solid call to action and clearly a well though out work of writing. Impressive breadth of examples.

The Difficulty Implicit In Making a Difference

Question: What do I think of this book?

Response: Who gives a fuck?

Question: What did I get out of this book? What can I do differently now, that I wasn’t doing before?

Response: Now that’s a better question!

Firstly, the many tips, skills, and practices that Todd provides to bolster psychological flexibility, to understand our biases, or to connect better with others and groups, are not things that once learned, are instantly mastered. I cannot say that I’ve gained any rewards from such practices, because those practices, need to be practiced. The thing I can be immediately left with is a perspective:

To make a difference, you can’t expect it to be easy.

Now it is one thing to say this, or hear it as some slogan for some sports brand, but it is another thing to say this authentically.
In the aftermath of reading Todd’s book, Todd left me saying this in a way that I believe to be authentic.
Championing hard work can be said as a platitude. Knowing that there will be difficulty implicit in making a difference, again, can be overused empty “words of wisdom”.
After reading Todd’s book, those hollow words become real. Platitudes become failed attempts to capture a greater perspective.
Todd’s book gives you that perspective, to think different, do different, not do it alone, and stick to it when different gets difficult.

Now only time can tell what the actual implimentation of such a perspective and practices might look like for me or you. But the stories told by the psychological literature, and the stories told about great principled insubordination of the past, are stories that Todd captures and conveys beautifully.

I listened to the book as an Audiobook, but I intend to get a physical copy as a guidebook for my future self, who Fate Permitting, is going head first into the difficulty of doing things different. Not for the sake of differentiation, but to make a positive change in the world writ large.

In other words, The Art of Insubordination.

Thank you
Live to Help Live
Curiously
Ben Spaloss

Practice Makes Perfect

By embracing the art of insubordination, I've discovered the strength in voicing my opinions respectfully and asserting my ideas with confidence. This newfound assertiveness has not only improved my work relationships but also empowered my colleagues to do the same.

Overall, "The Art of Insubordination" is a game-changer, offering valuable insights into transforming workplace dynamics. It encourages readers to challenge the status quo, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to navigate the corporate world with courage and authenticity.

Practical and wise advice for rebels

Helped me a great deal to be more strategic in dissenting well to help make the world a better place!

Interesting End...

So it was a really great book basically about "going against the grain" being a dissenter he calls it. Then, suddenly at the end of the book he blames the people not following the "rules" for the death of a loved one................................

I found this very confusing given he just told us how and why we should dissent for several chapters spanning like 6-8 hours (don't remember the full length). It was a great informative book. I enjoyed it. But still confused.

Food for thought. You and you alone are responsible for your life and actions. Go live it, stop wondering what others may think!

Great explanation of the components to successful dissent

This book brought for many helpful examples of real-life situations and the consequences of dissent. Great breakdown of the components that lead to successful dissent. Inspiring.

Political views obvious.

It makes cautious of how much I should listen to the rest of the book when I here political option statements as facts using only one side of the statistics. Sadly, I was really looking forward to this book. At this point, less than 30 minutes in, I'm irked and have no desire to listen to the rest.

Too political

Lots of nonsense. This guy has very little to say on his actual subject. Too bad, good idea for a book.