Lift: The Three Hidden Forces That Launch Remarkable Lives

By Jeff Cunningham

An October must-read selection of the Next Big Idea Club, curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink.

No one climbs alone. Lift reveals the three hidden forces behind a successful career, a strong family, and a remarkable life.

Former Forbes publisher and Arizona State University leadership professor Jeff Cunningham spent decades interviewing some of the world's highest achievers and greatest leaders--Warren Buffett, Michael Phelps, John McCain, Nikki Haley, David Petraeus, Lloyd Blankfein, and the partnership of FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, among others.

What he discovered shattered one of America's favorite myths:

There is no such thing as a self-made success story.

Behind every remarkable life, Cunningham found the same three hidden forces:

The Law of the First
The mentor, coach, parent, or teacher who sees your potential before you do.

The Power of Tight Circles
The small group of people who keep believing when everyone else stops.

The Rules of the Room
The values, habits, and hidden codes that shape who rises and who doesn't.

Drawing on extraordinary personal access and unforgettable stories, Lift reveals how neighborhoods, teams, families, cultures, and communities create success that talent alone can never explain.

Part biography, part social science, and part roadmap for personal growth, Lift combines the storytelling of Malcolm Gladwell with practical insight for anyone seeking a more meaningful and successful life. It's perfect for readers of Outliers, Range, Think Again, and even The Psychology of Money.

Discover the hidden forces that launch remarkable lives--and learn how to find them for yourself.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1510786732
• ISBN13: 9781510786738
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.