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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Rare Breed summary
Sunny Bonnell
Ashleigh Hansberger
A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different
14 mins
Brief summary
Rare Breed by Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger is a business book that celebrates the power of being different. It offers insights and inspiration for entrepreneurs who want to stand out from the crowd and create something truly unique.
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Rare Breed
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Rebelliously defying norms can open new paths to success.
It’s fourth down and the Pulaski Academy Bruins need to move the ball ten yards upfield or turn it over to the other team. Any other high school football team would simply give up and punt the ball. After all, convention states that this is the smart move.
But, the Bruins don’t follow conventional wisdom. In 2009, their coach, Kevin Kelley, looked at three years’ worth of game statistics and made a decision: his team would never punt, ever.
And it worked. The unusual strategy caught other teams off guard, and the Bruins racked up win after win. By 2018, the team had an overwhelmingly positive record, including seven state championships.
The key message here is: Rebelliously defying norms can open new paths to success.
Our society encourages conformity through strict social norms. It enforces rigid policies and rewards proper etiquette. Starting from a very young age, we’re encouraged to do as we’re told or we’ll suffer the consequences. Even in a modern workplace, rules rule. One study from the Harvard Business Review found that fewer than 10 percent of companies actually encourage workers to break the mold.
However, rebelling against conventions can be an asset when done strategically. Take the television show Girls. This provocative series told the story of young women in New York City, but it avoided all the classic tropes. Instead of showing their lives as glamorous, it focused on their mistakes and minor humiliations. And the show was a hit! People loved the unconventional approach and unique characters.
Still, it’s no good to break rules for no reason. The key to rebelling is thinking strategically. First, know exactly what rules you want to break and why you want to break them. Then, think through what you’re going to do differently and what the consequences will be. This way, you’re not just blindly smashing norms, but creating your own conventions.
For instance, entrepreneur Matt Scanlan wanted to disrupt the exploitative Mongolian wool industry. The old industry model used dozens of middlemen to get Mongolian wool to market. It was inefficient and expensive.
Scanlan came in with a better plan. He broke the old mold and set up a new system to pay herders directly. As a result, his company, Naadam, can now offer the finest cashmere at a low cost, and Mongolia’s herders earn up to 50 percent more.
Obviously, breaking the rules takes a little bit of audacity. In the next blink, we’ll see how that ambitious spirit is also a rich resource.
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What is Rare Breed about?
Rare Breed (2019) is a guide to business and personal success for those who march to their own beat. This bold manifesto asks you avoid conformity and instead embrace the qualities that set you apart.
Rare Breed Review
Rare Breed (2019) tells the story of rebellious, out-of-the-box entrepreneurs who refuse to conform to the norms of the business world. Here's why this book is worth a read:
- It offers a refreshing perspective on entrepreneurship, showcasing the journeys of trailblazing individuals who dare to challenge the status quo.
- Through captivating narratives and powerful anecdotes, it provides actionable insights and inspiration for those who want to make a difference in the world of business.
- The book's unconventional approach sparks curiosity, making it far from boring, and keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Best quote from Rare Breed
When an opportunity comes, trust your passion, not your fear.
—Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger
Who should read Rare Breed?
- Entrepreneurs looking to stand out
- Creative thinkers who want to capitalize on their capabilities
- Anyone who wishes to honor their own unique spirit
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Rare Breed FAQs
What is the main message of Rare Breed?
Rare Breed is about embracing what makes you unique and unleashing your full potential.
How long does it take to read Rare Breed?
Reading Rare Breed takes several hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Rare Breed a good book? Is it worth reading?
Rare Breed is worth reading because it inspires you to embrace your uniqueness and achieve greatness.
Who is the author of Rare Breed?
The authors of Rare Breed are Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger.
What to read after Rare Breed?
If you're wondering what to read next after Rare Breed, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Human Hacking by Christopher Hadnagy with Seth Schulman
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The Genius of Empathy by Judith Orloff
- Late Bloomers by Rich Karlgaard
- The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
- The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill
- Uncommon by Mark Divine
- Phaedo by Plato
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- Marriage Be Hard by Kevin and Melissa Fredericks