Heidi Grant Halvorson

Heidi Grant Halvorson is an authority on motivation, successful goal pursuit, and the psychology of achievement. As a professor, author, and speaker, she has conveyed the science of success to a wide array of audiences, from leading universities to Fortune 500 companies.

Heidi received her B.A. in psychology from Tufts University and her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Columbia University. She is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Columbia Business School and a Founding Partner of the science-based consulting firm, C3/Consulting. She has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, and her writing has appeared in outlets ranging from Harvard Business Review to TIME.

Heidi is the author of three books, including 9 Things Successful People Do Differently, Focus: Use Different Ways of Seeing the World for Success and Influence, and Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals. Together these books explore topics such as how to stay focused in a world built for distraction, how to build relationships of trust and influence, and how to unlock the potential of the mind.

9 Things Successful People Do Differently is based on extensive research in the field of motivation. In the book, Heidi explores nine key things that successful people do differently to get results. These nine things all revolve around the concept of self-control, and include developing new habits, maintaining a positive attitude, expanding a comfort zone, making arduous tasks more tolerable, equipping one’s self with the right information and resources, building a network of wise advisors and mentors, and breaking large goals down into manageable chunks. Though the book deals with concepts that are inherently psychological, it is written in an accessible and entertaining way, making it both a practical and enjoyable read.

Focus: Use Different Ways of Seeing the World for Success and Influence draws from scientific research as well as from Heidi’s own experiences as a successful business woman. It offers a blueprint for success, helping readers understand their limitations and capitalize on their unique strengths. The book provides advice for determining when to persevere and when to cut losses, and for finding focus in an age of constant distraction. Through a series of engaging case studies, readers learn the art of negotiation, influencing skills, and crisis communication.

Finally, Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals is a practical guide to goal setting and goal accomplishment. In the book, Heidi discusses why we tend to make goals that we never actually strive to reach, how to craft achievable goals, how to make progress and stay motivated, and how to know when it’s time to seek help or high-tail it out of a situation. The book provides a step-by-step program for goal setting and reaching success, helping readers take charge of their lives and live with an eye to the future.

Heidi Grant Halvorson’s books provide insight into the science of success and help readers translate research-proven strategies into real-world practice. Whether it’s learning how to manage distractions to focus on what is important, using relationships to gain influence, or setting and achieving goals, Halvorson’s books equip readers with the tools to take control of their lives and maximize their own unique potential.