Invisible Work: The Hidden Ingredient of True Creativity, Purpose and Power

Just as power has moved from boardrooms into the domain of dynamic individuals, Invisible Work maps the evolution of this new way of being and succeeding. From the author of The Creative Economy comes a new book on the most important new phenomenon in the radically changed world of work.

'We no longer have the certainty of being told exactly what to do and how, and have to rely more on our own resources. Work has become more personal, private, subjective, nomadic and never-ending. As a result, work is moving from observable public spheres into the private and unseen.'

Invisible work is the hidden ingredient for success in an AI-defined era. It is a mindset of deeply focused, value-added thinking and sharing. It is a process of creativity that combines emotional intelligence and collaboration. It is the key to the success of a growing army of self-employed workers. This is an emerging field of work in which new business domains and creative endeavours are based on personal interests and digital connections. It is also, crucially, the answer to the question of how we thrive in the AI era and raise a new generation capable of working with - rather than being replaced by - AI.

Howkins lays out a visionary framework for working practice and success. He focuses on the ways in which we think most innovatively, how we best share those private ideas, how we make unseen connections and remain authentic whilst staking out our domain in a virtual world. He considers the growing area of self-employment in a chapter entitled 'The Incorporated Self', and he explores the tricky task of spotting and nurturing those best suited to invisible work.

John Howkins is a leading figure in the global understanding of work and creativity. He is the author of the seminal The Creative Economy (Penguin UK, 2002; new editions 2007 & 2013) which has been translated into fourteen languages. John Howkins was chair of the London Film School and chief adviser to HBO and Time Warner for fifteen years. In 2006 the Shanghai government set up the John Howkins Research Centre on the Creative Economy.