The World's Best Book Summaries
What types of market disruptions warrant a large-scale response? How do you know when your business is at a strategic inflection point? Intel CEO Andrew Grove offers guidance on how to know when a change in your business environment requires an overhaul of your company. He recommends that you foster a continual culture of debating and listening. Read more to learn Grove’s advice on pivoting in business.
Was Steve Jobs an artist? How are Steve Jobs’s creations like art? Walter Isaacson’s biography, Steve Jobs, depicts the entrepreneur’s highs and lows throughout his career. While reflecting on Jobs’s successes, Isaacson compares Apple products to works of art. Learn the similarities between famous artists and Steve Jobs’s art.
What is the main purpose of education in society? Does education have a hidden agenda? Do employers care more about your education or your degree? According to Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, some institutions are about shaping society in a desired direction. They argue that education is about producing good citizens and employees, getting them accustomed to rules, schedules, and authority figures. Keep reading to learn more about this intriguing view of education’s purpose.
Do you have a good reputation in your field? Are you making the most of the trust you’ve earned from others? In The Unfair Advantage, entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain how your reputation can give you a leg up over the competition. Other businesses and professionals do what you do, but they don’t have the same status and connections you have. You can leverage your reputation and relationships to find success. Read more to learn why reputation is important and how to use it to your advantage.
What behaviors should you adopt to become more competent? How does demonstrating competence help others trust you? Author and former CEO Stephen Covey believes building competence relates to demonstrating trustworthy behaviors. In his book, The Speed of Trust, Covey explains that your most valuable interpersonal currency is having trust in your relationships. Read on to learn Covey’s advice on how to be more competent by building trust with others.
What if socializing doesn’t come naturally to you? Is success really about who—not what—you know? Not necessarily, according to peak performance expert Eric Barker. But, your relationships are essential, so you must expand and nurture your network. He shares three steps to cultivate professional connections: focus on building friendships, mentor and be mentored, and regularly thank the people in your life. Keep reading to learn how to expand your network and make the connections stronger.
Is disappointment or boredom getting you off track in life? What does it mean to “gamify your life,” and how can it motivate you toward your goals? You might have experienced how gamification can help you stick to an exercise plan or a project at work. You can apply the same model to your life. Peak performance expert Eric Barker shows you how, discussing four features that your game must have if you want to stay motivated in life. Keep reading to learn how to gamify your life’s journey.
What can networking do for you and your business? What’s particularly powerful about networks of three? In Tribal Leadership, authors Dave Logan, Halee Fischer-Wright, and John King explain how tribes develop through stages. At Stage 4, a tribal leader deliberately cultivates relationships with potential tribe members. The authors discuss three-part relationships (triads) in particular, identifying three main benefits: They’re stable, they’re easily expanded, and they enable creativity. Keep reading to learn about the importance of networking in business, the Tribal Leadership way.
What should you stick with, and what should you quit? Are you barking up the wrong tree when it comes to your niche? Working hard is important. But, if you’re working hard on the wrong thing, you won’t find satisfaction and true success. To succeed, you must stick to some things but quit others. The key is figuring out what’s right for you. Read more to learn how to find your niche in life.
Have you already decided what career path you want to pursue? Perhaps you’re considering a career change? Maybe you’re entertaining the idea of starting a second career? When it comes to career development, the struggle is real. There are so many paths to choose from, especially in the age of knowledge work. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of resources available to help you navigate this journey. Here are Shortfrom’s picks of the best career resources, including blogs, books, and podcasts.