Laura Huang: Edge

Laura Huang is an associate professor at the Harvard Business School. Her research examines interpersonal relationships and implicit bias in entrepreneurship and in the workplace. She is the creator of #FindYourEdge, an initiative dedicated to addressing inequality and disadvantage through personal empowerment.

Her award-winning research has been featured in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Forbes — and she was named one of the 40 Best Business School Professors Under the Age of 40 by Poets & Quants. She’s the author of the book Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage*.

In this conversation, Laura and I discuss the value of constraints, why hard work isn’t enough, and the reason you’re not selling out when reclaiming an awareness of yourself. We also explore why it’s essential for you to be able to tell your story.

Key Points

“Be yourself” is sometimes bad advice.

You’re not selling out when you reclaim an awareness of yourself.

Bring value — and also be sure that people KNOW you bring value.

Self awareness can sometimes encumber our ability to guide.

Don’t passively let others write your narrative — write your own narrative and guide other’s view of you. Let your past make you better, not bitter.

Resources Mentioned

Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage* by Laura Huang

Companion guide at LauraHuang.net

Book Notes

Download my highlights from Edge in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

Leverage Your Defining Moments, with Lynne Whiteford (episode 372)

The Value of Being Uncomfortable, with Neil Pasricha (episode 448)

The Way to Influence Executives, with Nancy Duarte (episode 450)

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