Creative Desperation: Lessons From Venus Flytraps & Apollo 13

A Venus flytrap plant illustrates creative desperation

Is your life missing those “aha!” moments of brilliant insight? What hidden force might unlock your most creative breakthroughs? In his book Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein explores how our most innovative solutions often emerge through creative desperation—when impossible situations force us to abandon conventional thinking. Breakthrough thinking frequently happens when we’re backed into a corner. Read on to explore this fascinating path to innovation, from human problem-solving to the surprising evolutionary journey of a plant.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling With Data (Book Overview)

A sketch of a man in a business suit sitting in a chair and reading a book by a window and fig tree

What’s the difference between simply displaying data and creating a compelling data narrative? How can you transform raw numbers into a story that resonates with your audience and drives meaningful action? Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling With Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals reveals that effective data communication isn’t about creating complex visuals. It’s about presenting information as a narrative that connects with your audience and makes your insights accessible and actionable. Keep reading to discover Knaflic’s practical framework for interpreting data effectively, crafting engaging narratives, and using thoughtful design to enhance understanding.

Maryanne Wolf: Dyslexia Calls for Varied Solutions

Maryanne Wolf's dyslexia research is illustrated by a picture of the cognitive neuroscientist in 2020

What if reading struggles aren’t just weaknesses but signs of a differently organized brain? How can understanding the true nature of dyslexia help children develop effective reading skills? Maryanne Wolf’s dyslexia research reveals that reading difficulties exist on a spectrum. This calls for tailored interventions that can reshape neural pathways while recognizing the unique strengths that often accompany these challenges. Read on to get Maryanne Wolf’s perspective on dyslexia from her book Proust and the Squid.

Organizational Insight: How to Create an Environment for Innovation

Many lightbulbs in an open workspace illustrates organizational insight

What conditions make an organization resistant to new ideas? How can leaders create environments where breakthroughs flourish instead of getting stifled? In his book Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein reveals how, too often, organizations are places that never give rise to new ideas. He identifies three major barriers to organizational insight and shares advice on how to build an insight-rich culture. Continue reading to explore Klein’s strategies for breaking down these barriers and leading an organization where insights thrive.

Using Multiple Data Sets? 3 Tips for Clear Presentations

A woman, seen from behind, putting papers with multiple data sets on a bulletin board

What if you could present complex data without overwhelming your audience? How can you effectively use multiple data sets to tell a compelling story? In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic explains that our brains have limited visual processing capacity, making it crucial to present multiple data sets thoughtfully. She offers three core principles that help reduce cognitive load and make complex information accessible. Keep reading to discover how these visualization techniques can transform your confusing numbers into clear, impactful insights.

Why Reading Is Beneficial (+ Redesign Your Reading Habits)

A painting of a woman reading a book with colorful swirls emanating from the book illustrates why reading is beneficial

How does reading shape who you become? Why is reading beneficial? Are you fully taking advantage of the benefits of reading? Reading offers us more than just entertainment or information. In her book Proust and the Squid, cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf explains that engaging with books influences our thinking and personal development. Keep reading to discover how you get the most out of deep, meaningful reading.

Leonard Mlodinow’s Subliminal (Book Overview & Takeaways)

A woman with long wavy gray hair reading a hardcover book

Why do you sometimes make decisions without knowing exactly why? How much of your everyday thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by processes you’re not aware of? Leonard Mlodinow’s Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior explains that the vast majority of our brain’s processing happens beneath the surface of awareness. This hidden mental activity shapes how we interpret our observations, form beliefs, and experience the world around us. Keep reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.

An Insight Mindset: How Uncertainty Leads to Breakthroughs

A woman with brown wavy hair looking up in thought with a window behind her illustrates an insight mindset

What does it take to have breakthrough ideas and moments of clarity? How can we train ourselves to welcome the unexpected insights that lead to innovation rather than resisting them? In his book Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein reveals that developing an insight mindset begins with embracing uncertainty. His research shows that the most innovative thinkers approach problems with curiosity and openness, viewing contradictions as valuable learning opportunities. Keep reading to discover how developing an insight mindset can transform your life and work.

Distilling Data Down to Its Most Basic Form: What Truly Matters

Two professional men talking in an elevator illustrate distilling data in a way that communicates the main points succinctly

Are your data presentations too complex for your audience to absorb? Can you communicate your key insights in three minutes or less? Distilling data is essential for effective communication. In Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic writes that focusing on the most important information helps listeners retain your key points. She introduces two frameworks designed to help you identify and emphasize what truly matters in your data. Keep reading to discover how these techniques can transform your complex data into compelling, memorable stories.

Reading in the Digital Age Is Altering Our Brains (Maryanne Wolf)

A man reading a book on a mobile phone at nighttime with a bookshelf in the background illustrates reading in the digital age

Is our relationship with reading fundamentally changing as we move from traditional to digital formats? What does this shift mean for our cognitive abilities and future intellectual development? Reading in the digital age represents a significant transformation in how our brains process information. Cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf explains that our current shift to digital reading is rewiring our neural pathways in ways that bring both opportunities and risks. Keep reading to discover how screens are changing not just what we read but how we think—and what we can do to preserve the valuable cognitive skills traditional reading has given us.