Staying True to You

A "compelling" (Amy C. Edmondson) and "transformative" (Adam Galinsky) playbook for balancing the pressures of conformity and authenticity, from an award-winning behavioral scientist.

"Just be yourself” is popular advice that most of us hear throughout our lives. But what sounds like simple wisdom is much more complex in today’s world. All too often, we feel a gap between our private selves and how we behave and appear to others in our work and in our relationships. How can we avoid feeling “fake?” And how do we reconcile our instinctive need for belonging with our simultaneous desire to express our authenticity?

Behavioral scientist Dr. Patricia Hewlin explores the delicate dance between authenticity and conformity we navigate daily by drawing from her decades of research. As she uncovers, the pressure to be “real” can be as debilitating as the pressure to stay silent and conform. When we swing too far in either direction, we become drained, plagued by self-doubt, and disengaged.

In Staying True to You, Hewlin introduces the breakthrough concept of the “middle self,” and demonstrates how this in-between persona can allow us to show up in the world, no matter the situation, with confidence and clarity about our values, and peace of mind. When we empower our “middle self,” we can make thoughtful decisions, stop feeding toxic patterns, face demands and pressures head-on, and build a more satisfying relationship with the world around us.

With practical strategies throughout, Staying True to You is an essential roadmap to guide you toward identifying your unique strengths and finding a path to a new, more deliberate, more empowered way of working and interacting with others—essentially a new way of living.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs