• Stretch

  • Unlock the Power of Less - and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined
  • By: Scott Sonenshein
  • Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
  • Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (412 ratings)

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Stretch  By  cover art

Stretch

By: Scott Sonenshein
Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Publisher's summary

A Rice University social scientist teaches you to rethink what you need to succeed, and do more with what you already have, in this counterintuitive, evidence-based guide to changing the way you work and live.

Stretch identifies key ways for people and organizations to work beyond their resources to achieve higher performance. Based on in-depth research in psychology and management, Scott Sonenshein shows how to accomplish goals, find professional and personal success, and live a richer life.

Two different mindsets drive achievement, creativity, and innovation: "stretching" and "chasing". Stretchers embrace what they have, finding unconventional ways to use resources already at hand. A competitor is someone who improves your own work; a floundering brand becomes trendy; and forgotten workers become star employees. Chasers get trapped in convention. They mindlessly accept other people's definitions of resources and often feel they are missing what they need to succeed. Sonenshein teaches a four-part framework that activates the stretching potential we all have but may not fully recognize:

  • Diversify experiences.
  • Act immediately without over planning.
  • Expect the positive.
  • Build unique combinations.

Sonenshein reveals that while we rarely have all we think we need, we usually have more than we imagine. Whether leading organizations, launching careers, or raising families, Stretch teaches us how to achieve more by acting resourcefully at work and beyond.

©2017 Scott Sonenshein (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Stretch

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good ideas. Wanted a few more inches on the journey.

I really like the concepts of this book and I want to use some of the ideas right away. However, throughout the entire book, I found myself asking "yeah, but I wonder how to implement/incorporate that idea/strategy into what I do". That seemed to be left out... until the end where the author tells you that the single most important part of attempting to change people's behavior is to give them a map on how to do so and then goes on to provide some answers to the questions I was having throughout the book more-or-less as an afterthought.

I guess I would have preferred that the book led with the how to concepts and reinforced them through examples/case studies coupled with ideas on how to apply the concepts to various potential real life situations.

Not that none of that was there, but it just seemed lacking a touch.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stretch stretches your perspective and potential!

Too often we probably waste time and money chasing solutions. Applying the not-so-common common sense of Stretch can maximize our time and resources. Written in an easily digestible format with memorable illustrations backed by the credibility of research, Stretch is a guidebook and map for accomplishing more (or exactly what you need) for less.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

same ole stuff

struggle to finish it. same ole stuff. need more content honestly. I got the message. worth the read if you are a beginner

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Learn how to view your resources differently

To stop waiting to have the right "it" to complete any task and work with what you already have. Think of new uses for your current resources to find a solution.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great idea, boring presentation.

I did gain several nuggets of wisdom but felt as though I was listening to book which reviewed research projects rather than a business book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Transformative book

Simple but insightful. I really like the flow of the book and how the concepts are presented. This is a must re-read candidate on my shelf

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A bit disjointed

Started off with a good premise, too many studies with small sample sizes that are used as conclusions. By repeating the word "stretch" the writer tried to make the connection to the title vice having the reader through his story telling. Pass on this one, there are many other better books for the price. I struggled to get through the book via audiobook which says a lot.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Finally something different

This segment of business books is ever increasing.
What I liked about this book is it gives a complete 180 degree approach from the normal GO Get more story line. I throughly enjoyed the examples given as they were current and easily relatable.
Furthermore the topics discussed can apply to all facets of life, not just business.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very good message

it's very good message to use what you already have and stop mindlessly chasing resources.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great read for strategy leaders

What did you like about this audiobook?

Stretch shares concepts and related examples that can help you do more with less, either personally or professionally. Rather than chasing resources, you can shift your focus to what you might be doing (or not doing) that might limiting the potential of what you have around you, whether it's a team you're part of or assets you've acquired at home. It felt like a quick read, since it did a good job making things understandable by pairing a concept with research/ studies and practical examples.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

As someone who is a traditionally a planner, this book has increased my interest in exploring alternatives to detailed planning by moving more quickly to action. It's also helped me to be more aware of expectations (low or high) I may be projecting upon others and what impact (bad or good) that may have on their performance.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Scott did a good job making things understandable by pairing a concept with research/ studies and practical examples.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

No issues with the narrator. I was able to clearly understand and selected to accelerate the pace of the audio.

Do you have any additional comments?

I found this book due to a recommendation made by Brene Brown on Twitter. I'm similarly connected with the author of Stretch, Scott Sonenshein, on Twitter. He's even responded to my messages/ inquiries, which allows for even greater value of the audio book.

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1 person found this helpful