The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the key to alleviating poverty? How will job assistance programs help the poor? One solution that Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, authors of When Helping Hurts, offer to reduce poverty is to set up job preparation programs in local communities. These programs can help improve skill sets and create job interview opportunities. Read below to learn how job assistance programs are the key to poverty alleviation.
Are job titles still important in the workplace? Are job roles a preferred alternative? In the modern-day workplace, many people question whether job titles are still necessary. On one hand, they offer stability and structure. On the other hand, some people consider them old-fashioned and too reliant on a hierarchical system. To determine if you should consider keeping or eliminating job titles in your company, keep reading.
What skills do you bring to the table? How can you compete in this economy—and in the economy of the future? The world is changing fast. Thomas L. Friedman, in his book The World Is Flat, explains that the increasingly globalized nature of the world requires workers to have three skills to keep up: cooperation, integration, and versatility. Continue reading for a discussion of these future work skills and an exercise that will help you consider your career in the globalized world.
Why is public speaking so scary? What could you accomplish if you overcame that fear? Public speaking anxiety is legendary. But, public speaking is extraordinarily powerful—both for the audience and the speaker. The audience gains knowledge and gets inspired. The speaker gets their message across, spreads their influence, and develops skills for success. Keep reading to learn about the power of public speaking and several misconceptions and truths that surround it. We’ll also share practical tips on how to gain confidence in public speaking by attacking the speech and attacking your fear.
What is the hyperactive hive mind? What causes this mindset? Cal Newport’s book A World Without Email describes the term “hyperactive hive mind workflow” (HHMW). This is where all members of an organization are in constant, frantic, and often unnecessary communication. Let’s look at the four factors that create and drive the hyperactive hive mind workflow.
What are the benefits of a shorter workweek? Why are there also drawbacks? The push to reduce work schedules gathered momentum during the pandemic, which forced employers to become more flexible about working arrangements and led many workers to reflect on unhealthy work cultures. However, workers and businesses are still trying to evaluate the viability of a shorter workweek. Read on for an overview of shorter workweek benefits as well as the drawbacks to reducing working hours.
Where are you headed in life, and how fast are you going? What’s your niche? Should you be a generalist or a specialist? If these questions resonate with you, you’re probably figuring out how you fit in the larger scheme of things. You have a unique combination of personality, strengths, and interests, which means that you have a unique place to thrive. Now you just need to get there. Continue reading for tips on how to find your place in the world.
What’s the Red Queen effect? What are some ways to thrive in the midst of competitors? In The Great Mental Models Volume 2, authors Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish introduce two evolutionary models—the Red Queen effect and adaptation. They use them to explain the importance of keeping up with our competition and the mechanisms by which we can do so. Continue reading to learn how to apply these models to your life and work.
Should college students choose a career-oriented program or a major they enjoy more? What kind of mindset will help them succeed? In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz argues that college students can actively create a high-quality education for themselves. He recommends that they connect with inspiring professors, follow their interests, and expect and embrace failure. Continue reading to learn about these three tips for college students.
What does long-term unemployment (LTU) mean? What are the risks of LTU? Which workers have been affected the most? A year after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic and the economy ground to a halt, 4.1 million workers fell into long-term unemployment—unemployment for six or more months. Workers experiencing LTU are finding it increasingly more difficult to rejoin the workforce. Read on to learn how long-term unemployment is harming workers post-Covid.