Purposeful by Jennifer Dulski Summary
Overview of Purposeful
Tired of being just a manager? Facebook executive Jennifer Dulski's Wall Street Journal bestseller reveals how anyone can ignite movements that matter. What separates change-makers from bystanders? Discover the "ladder of engagement" that transformed Change.org and empowered everyday heroes to reshape their worlds.
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Key takeaways
The Courage to Be First: How Movements Begin
Have you ever felt that burning desire to change something in the world but stopped yourself with "Who am I to do this?" Jennifer Dulski's "Purposeful" demolishes this self-doubt with a simple, powerful truth: every significant movement in history began with someone willing to stand alone. Like the first person who starts clapping at a performance, social change requires someone brave enough to be first. This progression from "unthinkable" to "inevitable" resembles a standing ovation effect - beginning with just one person whose courage inspires others until momentum becomes unstoppable. Consider Erdem Gunduz, who in 2013 stood motionless for eight hours in Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest police brutality. His solitary stance gradually attracted hundreds and inspired the viral #duranadam (standing man) movement worldwide. The most significant barrier to taking that first step isn't external - it's not believing in our own capacity to effect change. When facing challenges, we must ask "Why NOT me?" instead of "Why me?" Movements don't require grand gestures to begin - they need committed first steps. Sarah Kavanagh, a Mississippi teenager who became vegan at twelve, discovered brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in Gatorade. Learning BVO contained bromine (also found in flame retardants) and was banned in over 100 countries, she started a petition asking Pepsi to remove it. Despite feeling she lacked authority as a teenager, her petition gathered 17,000 signatures in a month. Less than three months later, Pepsi announced they would remove BVO from Gatorade. Sarah then campaigned against BVO in Powerade, and ultimately both Pepsi and Coca-Cola removed it from all their drinks worldwide.
Crafting a Vision That Moves People
Building Partnerships and Turning Opponents into Allies
Leading with Purpose: How to Inspire Your Team
Transforming Criticism into Fuel for Success
The Power of Persistence and Your Ripple of Impact
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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