Obsess Over Quality: Cal Newport’s 5 Strategies for Excellence

A craftsman carefully making a product illustrates the desire to obsess over quality

Are you tired of feeling rushed and producing mediocre work? Do you want to create high-quality outputs that stand the test of time? Cal Newport writes that a significant aspect of slow productivity is committing to excellence in everything you do. By adopting the mindset of master craftsmen who obsess over quality, knowledge workers can elevate their work and make a lasting impact. Read on to learn strategies for prioritizing excellence and creating work you’re truly proud of.

The Importance of Rest: A Time for Recovery & Growth

A man in the woods wearing a jacket, hat, and backpack, sitting on a log, and journaling illustrates the importance of rest

Are you feeling exhausted and uninspired at work? Is there a secret to boosting your creativity and productivity? The importance of rest cannot be overstated. In his book Willpower Doesn’t Work, Benjamin Hardy explores how effective rest is crucial not only for recovery but also for skill improvement and creativity. Rest allows your mind to wander, fostering new connections and ideas. Keep reading to discover why rest is just as vital as work and how to strike the right balance for optimal performance and well-being.

The 2 Advantages of Team-Building: Improving Skills & Ideas

A team of employees working together with lightbulbs above their heads, exhibiting the advantages of team-building

What’s the best way to brainstorm in a team? What are the advantages of team-building? Being on a team can help you reach your full potential, argues Adam Grant. In a team that’s centered on a unifying goal, everyone can help the other members by teaching skills in their particular area of expertise. Below, we’ll look at the advantages of team-building to show what your organization can gain from a unified team.

How to Build a Strong Team: 4 Steps for Every Product Leader

A leader standing in front of a group of employees, showing how to build a strong team

Do you have a product vision, but no team to execute it? Where do you start looking for prospective employees? An effective product leader is nothing without a strong team to lead. In technology-driven companies, product teams should be empowered to figure out how to solve customers’ problems rather than merely tasked with creating new product features. Take a look at how to build a strong team that’s perfect for your vision.

How to Deactivate Fight-or-Flight: Take Small Actions

A calm, confident woman with black curly hair and her chin resting in her hand illustrates how to deactivate fight-or-flight

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by change? Do you want to know how to deactivate fight-or-flight responses that hold you back? Change doesn’t have to be scary. Clinical psychologist Robert Maurer writes that, by taking small, incremental steps, you can bypass your brain’s alarm system and embrace new possibilities with ease. This approach not only reduces fear but also helps build momentum and establish new behaviors. Keep reading to discover how tiny actions can lead to big transformations in your life.

Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze: Book Overview & Takeaways

A man in a suit reading a book in front of a bookshelf

What’s Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze about? What happens when businesses don’t deliver excellent customer service? In Excellence Wins, Horst Schulze teaches readers how to build a world-class organization obsessed with customer service. He also discusses how to motivate employees by providing a clear vision of success to work toward. Read below for a brief overview of Excellence Wins.

How to Measure Progress: 3 Metrics for Businesses

Building block bars progressively getting taller with an upward pointing arrow measuring progress

Why do businesses need to constantly measure progress? What are three vital metrics that leaders need to measure? Horst Schulze contends that leaders need to continually measure their progress toward success and adjust their strategies accordingly. Since the market is fierce and extremely competitive, measuring progress helps businesses know when to speed up or slow down. Continue reading to learn how to measure progress as a business leader.

How Innovation Comes From Good and Bad Surprises in Business

A woman in a suit waiting for good and bad surprises by holding an unopened present

Can bad surprises be a good thing in business? How should you take advantage of the unexpected? Innovation often comes wrapped in unexpected packages, such as unforeseen successes or failures. Companies must be ready to respond to these unanticipated events, as they can offer valuable insights into potential growth opportunities. Find out how to inspire innovation out of good and bad surprises.

3 Methods of Persuasion: Getting People to Want What You Want

Five coworkers chatting in an open workspace employ various methods of persuasion

Do you know how to influence others effectively? How effective are you at drawing them in and winning them over to your ways of thinking? Mastering the art of persuasion is a valuable skill in all facets of life. In How to Become a People Magnet, Marc Reklau explores three methods of persuasion: leading people to your ideas, appealing to authority, and focusing on positive responses. Keep reading to discover how you can apply these methods in your daily life and increase your ability to influence others.

What to Look for in an Employee: 2 Outstanding Qualities

A manager holding a clipboard that has what to look for in an employee on it, while interviewing a prospective employee

What are the qualities of a good employee? What does it mean when an employee has good character? To build a strong team, you must recruit strong people. However, Marty Cagan and Chris Jones argue that you shouldn’t place too much emphasis on hiring the perfect fit. Discover what to look for in an employee, and how these qualities will benefit your company in the long run.