New book argues that slowing down, embracing resistance, and rethinking “friction” is the real competitive advantage in business and life.

In a world obsessed with speed, efficiency, and “frictionless” everything, internationally recognized marketing strategist and author Robert Rose offers a contrarian idea: maybe the obstacles are the point. His new book, Valuable Friction: How to Deliberately Stand Out in a World Obsessed With Speed, explores how intentional resistance — done wisely — creates differentiation, deeper relationships, and more meaningful results.

“In a world being driven by the rush to AI, many business leaders I see today want things faster and easier,” Rose says. “But faster doesn’t equal better. In fact, speed without purpose is just noise. The right kinds of friction — creative, relational, operational, and strategic — are what separate meaningful work from mediocrity. That’s what this book is about: how to use friction as fuel, not just something to avoid.”

Rose, known for his work with global brands, as well as his role as Chief Strategy Advisor to the Content Marketing Institute, has built a reputation for making marketing (and business) both wiser and more human. Valuable Friction distills insights from two decades of consulting, teaching, and writing into a provocative but practical framework.

The book doesn’t just critique hustle culture; it offers a roadmap. With stories, case studies, and a four-part framework, Rose shows leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs how to design purposeful pause into their strategies — whether that means slowing the customer journey to build trust, structuring better conversations inside teams, or rethinking how AI fits into meaningful work.

Valuable Friction is available now in print, and e-book formats.

About the Author

Robert Rose is a marketing strategist, author, and co-host of the popular This Old Marketing podcast. As founder of Seventh Bear, a boutique consultancy, he helps businesses navigate the complexities of modern marketing with wisdom, clarity, and creativity.

Book Information

Valuable Friction: How to Stand Out in the Age of Acceleration

Author: Robert Rose

Publisher: Tilt Publishing

Formats: Print, eBook

Available at: www.valuablefriction.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250909121005/en/