Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

Every Effective Team Must Have These 4 Qualities

What makes an effective team? What are the qualities that enable team members to perform effectively in stressful situations? In Team of Teams, General Stanley McChrystal considers examples of effective teamwork in critical situations in military contexts. Analyzing these examples, he came to the conclusion that there are four qualities that make an effective team: empowerment, shared consciousness, trust, and awareness of the whole. Learn about the four characteristics of an effective team, according to Stanley McChrystal.

Saying No: It Doesn’t Have to Be Awkward

Do you have a problem saying no to people? Is there an unawkward way of saying no to others without compromising the relationship? Saying no makes us uncomfortable because it’s socially awkward. But you can say no gracefully, and even get people to respect you for it. Read about the importance of saying no and how to do it gracefully.

Lag and Lead Indicators: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between lag and lead indicators? Which aspects of performance do they measure? Lag and lead indicators are two types of performance measures aimed at tracking progress towards the set objectives over time. Lag indicators measure the outcomes of your effort, while lead indicators measure the steps taken to achieve those outcomes. Keep reading to learn about the lag and lead indicators.

Networking Exercises: Sharpen Your Networking Skills

Do you want to level up your networking game? What are some good networking exercises you can practice? Networking skills are necessary to build and maintain professional relationships with influential contacts who can help you advance in your career path or business journey. The following networking exercises will help you channel your networking efforts in a systematic and goal-oriented way. Here are some networking exercises to help you sharpen your networking skills.

Stanley McChrystal: Leadership & Teamwork Principles

What was Stanley McChrystal’s take on leadership? What were the four principles that guided his command of the U.S. task force? When Stanley McChrystal assumed leadership of the JSOC, he channeled his efforts into creating a teamwork ecosystem based on four principles: shared consciousness, trust, cooperation, and empowerment. He nurtured this ecosystem by ensuring that silos and competition didn’t hinder its functioning and that transparency gave it oxygen. Keep reading to learn about Stanley McChrystal’s leadership principles and how he implemented them to restructure the JSOC.

Self-Commitment: Make a Promise to Your Future Self

You can heal with love. Discover how the love you feel in your heart can improve your physical health and help you overcome illness.

What is self-commitment? What does it take to really commit to your promises and follow through in spite of the difficulties that arise along the way? Self-commitment is a promise to follow through on your accountability, or a promise to perform your intended actions. According to Michael Lennington, the author of The 12 Week Year, there are four components to developing a strong sense of self-commitment: a strong desire, keystone actions, cost of commitments, and self-accountability. Read about self-commitment and how to develop it.

Why You Need a Business Mentor and How to Find One

What is the benefit of having a business mentor? And how do you go about finding one that’s right for you? A business mentor is an experienced professional who is willing to support your career development. They can offer advice on the skills you need to develop to advance, introduce you to useful contacts, and offer insider information on the latest trends in your industry. Read about the benefits of having a business mentor, and how to go about finding one that’s right for you.

Understanding Systems Thinking in Management

What is systems thinking? How does systems thinking apply to organizational management? Systems thinking is a holistic approach to system analysis that focuses on examining the system as a whole by looking into how its constituent parts relate to one another. In systems thinking management, information is shared freely across the organization’s functions to facilitate collaboration. Keep reading to learn about systems thinking in management.

Less But Better: Live by Design, Not by Default

What is the meaning of “less but better” and who coined the phrase? How does it apply to lifestyle? The phrase “less but better” denotes a design philosophy put forward by German industrial designer Dieter Rams. Rams firmly believed that the best design involved as little design as possible. Inspired by Rams, Greg McKeown applied this principle to the broader context of living one’s life. Keep reading to learn about the principle “less but better”, as it applies to lifestyle.

Self-Accountability: Stop the Blame and Take Control

How do you develop self-accountability? What does it really take to assume ownership of your life and hold yourself accountable for its outcomes? To cultivate self-accountability, you must release your beliefs that things in the external world have control over your life. External factors can’t shape positive results in your life—you are the only person able to create the life you want through your actions. Here is how to encourage self-accountability and assume ownership of your life.