The World's Best Book Summaries
What makes a good job description? How do you define an open role’s purpose? The first question you should answer in a hiring rubric is “What’s the role’s current purpose?” This is an important question, as the company may prioritize different responsibilities and traits from the same role at different points in time. Learn how to write a good job description to attract the right candidate.
Are you a modern leader or a throwback to the Industrial Age? What if you could hit the nail on the head when it comes to what’s required in leadership today? In Trust and Inspire, Stephen M. R. Covey argues that the fundamental nature of work has changed since the industrial era, necessitating a corresponding shift in leadership. He discusses the difference between industrial and modern work and explains why leaders must evolve to keep up. Read more to understand Command and Control vs. Trust and Inspire leadership.
What’s a talent pool? Who should you ask for referrals? Rather than creating a job posting and sending it out for anybody to respond to, the authors of Who recommend you create a talent pool instead. This process involves asking trusted employees for referrals and cultivating relationships with those referrals. Discover how to create a talent pool of potential candidates.
Do you believe in the people you lead? How do you prove it? What difference does your trust make in them and your mission? Stephen M. R. Covey says that inspirational leaders extend faith to people. Extending faith means not only seeing that everyone has a higher potential but also believing that they can achieve it. Extending faith also requires leaders to give employees autonomy rather than micromanaging. Read more to get Covey’s insights on leading with trust.
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.