The Passion Paradox

Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, co-authors of Peak Performance, examine the science of passion and argue that it cuts both ways. The same drive behind athletic, scientific, entrepreneurial and artistic breakthroughs can also lead to burnout, suffering and endless seeking. The authors question the common advice to find and follow a passion, noting that it is rarely stumbled upon, and they contend that passion and balance cannot coexist. They describe how to develop a healthier kind of passion, sustain it and avoid its dangers, pairing stories of intensely passionate people with research on the biological and psychological factors behind it. Their earlier collaboration, Peak Performance, was a bestseller.

Adam Grant put it on his list of 19 new leadership books to read in 2019, describing it as a readable guide to channeling passion toward people's best rather than their worst.