The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the key qualities to look for in an employee? What are two behavioral tendencies you want candidates to have? When creating a hiring rubric, you want candidates to know what type of qualities are important in the role. By answering this, you identify traits or abilities that you want an employee in the role to display. Here are the qualities to look out for when interviewing candidates.
What’s one step beyond empathy? Do your employees trust that you care about them? How well are your team members connected to each other? In Trust and Inspire, Stephen M. R. Covey asserts that trusting and inspiring leaders connect with employees by practicing empathy and kindness. They also work to connect employees with each other and a greater purpose. Keep reading to learn how to foster these crucial connections.
What’s the psychology of procrastination? How can you stop procrastinating? Procrastination is a self-sabotaging behavior because you’re delaying something you’re supposed to do. Wayne W. Dyer contends that procrastination in itself isn’t harmful, as it only becomes a bad behavior when it leads to distress. Learn more about the different types of procrastination and how to overcome it.
What will the 2024 job market look like? Which industries will come out on top? What essential skills must job seekers develop to stay competitive in the evolving landscape? Despite predictions of a steady job market in 2024, economists predict significant growth in health care, utilities, and construction. The tech sector is bracing for a paradox in 2024, with artificial intelligence advances expected to trigger layoffs but also to spur the growth of specialized AI-related roles. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at the coming job market.
What’s wrong with current hiring practices? Why are many qualified people getting rejected? Todd Rose wades into the experience vs. education debate in his book The End of Average. He argues that skills outweigh degrees, and he advocates for an emphasis on credentials rather than diplomas in today’s workplace. Continue reading to understand Rose’s argument, and consider how it stacks up to your own experience and observation.
How much direction should managers give employees? Why is autonomy in the workplace important? At work, your manager might judge your performance with benchmarks calibrated to the average worker. Psychologist Todd Rose argues in The End of Average that individuality among employees is ultimately better for a company’s bottom line. Autonomy is a key that unlocks this door. Read more to understand why autonomy is important in the workplace.
Do you leverage the unique aspects of your employees, or do you expect them to conform to the norm? Do you value degrees over skills? In The End of Average, Todd Rose says that judging people in comparison to the average does significant damage to society when people abuse averages in the workplace. He asserts that, if employees can use their individual strengths at work, they’ll be more productive and fulfilled. Keep reading to learn the merits of individualism in the workplace.
Do you feel helpless or angry when confronted with mean people? Do you wish you had better strategies for dealing with them? The Asshole Survival Guide by Robert Sutton offers wisdom for dealing with jerks—rude and tyrannical people of all kinds. Focusing primarily on bad behavior in the workplace, he argues that, with the right tools, you can take away a jerk’s power, lessen their effect on you, and keep them from harming others. Continue reading for an overview of this practical book.
How many unread emails do you have? Do you know how to organize emails so you’re not overwhelmed? According to Sarah Knight, there’s no reason to have 12,539 unread messages in your inbox. If your inbox is overwhelming, you can do something about it. Check out how to organize emails so you have a manageable inbox.
Do you have a colleague who’s difficult to work with? Is there a professional and wise way to deal with them? In The Asshole Survival Guide, Robert I. Sutton offers wisdom for dealing with jerks—rude and tyrannical people of all kinds—especially in the workplace. He discusses considerations you should address before deciding if and how to go on the offensive and shares direct and subtle methods of confrontation. Keep reading for Sutton’s advice on how to confront a coworker professionally that can help you keep your sanity and your job.