“Innovation has become the default—but what happens when innovation becomes the enemy of quality and focus? Steve Shapiro’s Pivotal focuses on not just what it takes to change the game, but when and if change is even necessary. Rethinking the efficacy of the terminology and practices that maintain the status quo, Shapiro encourages a future that thinks more critically and keeps substance at the forefront.”—DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“‘Read not the Times. Read the Eternities.’ Henry David Thoreau wrote that bit of timeless advice in 1863, a good 150 years before social media and today’s hustle culture took over. Like Thoreau, Stephen Shapiro understands that in a future obsessed with the next big thing, Pivotal readers will differentiate themselves by rejecting the cult of distraction and doubling down on substance and depth.”—MIKE BECHTEL, Chief Futurist, Deloitte Consulting; Adjunct Professor of Corporate Innovation, University of Notre Dame

“Pivoting is all the rage among start-ups. But Shapiro makes clear that pivoting without differentiation and stable capabilities is a fast turn to nowhere. If your business environment is changing—and whose isn’t?—you need to read this book.”—THOMAS H. DAVENPORT, Distinguished Professor, Babson College; MIT Research Fellow; author of Competing on Analytics and All-in on AI

“Technology and AI are changing the game for every organization, and Shapiro’s important insight is the power of focusing on what doesn’t and shouldn’t change. His mantra, ‘innovate where you differentiate,’ is not just advice; it’s a strategic imperative for thriving in today’s dynamic, turbulent world. Pivotal provides a road map for leaders seeking to drive reinvention while holding fast to what is truly unchangeable.”—PAUL DAUGHERTY, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Accenture

“In today’s fiercely competitive entrepreneurial landscape, standing out is not just important—it’s essential. Shapiro’s Pivotal elevates the conversation from mere differentiation to a masterclass on becoming irreplaceable. This book is more than a read; it’s a potent catalyst for career transformation.”—DORIE CLARK, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Columbia Business School

“Shapiro has written a grounded book for dizzying times. His simple yet profound framework combines stability and agility to offer a wise alternative to perpetual pivoting that can help you build an iconic, enduring business.”

—DANIEL H. PINK, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Drive, The Power of Regret, and To Sell Is Human