CEO Excellence by McKinsey & Co.: 6 Mindsets of the Best CEOs

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Being a CEO means juggling countless responsibilities. It’s a role that demands both boldness and careful planning, vision and execution, leadership and humility. In CEO Excellence, McKinsey & Company partners Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra distill insights from 67 top-performing chief executives into practical wisdom you can apply. Whether you’re already in the C-suite or aspiring to get there, keep reading to discover strategies that will help you lead more effectively while protecting your own well-being.

Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson (Overview)

President Joe Biden sitting at his desk in the Oval Office

President Biden’s awful debate performance in June 2024 shocked millions of Americans. But, according to two journalists, that moment wasn’t a sudden decline—it was the inevitable result of years of carefully orchestrated deception. Their explosive book Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson reveals how Biden’s inner circle, family, and Democratic allies allegedly worked together to hide his deteriorating condition from the public. Continue reading for a comprehensive overview of Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.

The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More (Jefferson Fisher)

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Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or like you were talking to a brick wall? Whether it’s a heated family dinner discussion or a tense meeting at work, we’ve all been there. Jefferson Fisher’s The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More isn’t about winning debates or getting your way. Instead, Fisher focuses on building genuine connections and turning conflicts into opportunities for understanding. Continue reading to discover how to handle even the toughest conversations.

Edward de Bono’s Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step

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What if the key to breakthrough thinking lies in doing the opposite of what we usually do? Edward de Bono’s Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step introduces a revolutionary approach to problem-solving that challenges our conventional thought patterns. Instead of following predictable logical sequences, lateral thinking encourages us to explore unexpected connections, embrace temporary confusion, and generate multiple possibilities before settling on solutions. Continue reading to get an overview of this groundbreaking book and discover how shifting your mental approach can give you access to creative insights you never knew were possible.

Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women (Kate Manne)

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When women speak up, challenge authority, or refuse to comply with traditional expectations, they often face backlash ranging from dismissal to outright violence. This isn’t a coincidence, according to Kate Manne’s book Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women. Keep reading for an overview of this provocative book and discover how invisible expectations impact everything from sexual consent to career advancement—and why recognizing them is the first step toward change.

Leor Zmigrod’s The Ideological Brain: Book Overview

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What makes some people fall for extreme ideologies while others remain open-minded? The answer might be hiding in our brain structure and thinking patterns. A Cambridge neuroscientist has discovered surprising connections between our neural wiring and our political beliefs. Leor Zmigrod’s The Ideological Brain: The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking shows that ideology isn’t just about the ideas we choose; it’s about how our brains are built to think. Some minds are naturally rigid, while others stay flexible and adapt to new evidence. Read on to discover how ideology rewires your brain—and what you can do to protect yourself from

Andrew Huberman: Cortisol Is Vital for Energy Management

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Do you sometimes feel energized in the morning but struggle to wind down at night? What if you could get better sleep and sustained energy by leveraging your body’s natural hormone cycles? According to neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, cortisol gets a bad rap. In an episode of Huberman Lab titled “How to Control Your Cortisol & Overcome Burnout,” he explains how cortisol actually serves as your body’s sophisticated energy management system.

Get It Done: Surprising Lessons From the Science of Motivation

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Why do so many people struggle to stick with their goals, even when they start with the best intentions? What if the problem isn’t your willpower, but how you design and pursue your objectives? Ayelet Fishbach’s Get It Done: Surprising Lessons From the Science of Motivation reveals science-backed strategies for achieving what matters most. Fishbach’s approach shows how to craft compelling objectives, push through the inevitable middle slump, and balance competing priorities without burning out. Read on to discover how small changes in your goal-setting strategy can improve your success rate and help you finally accomplish what you’ve been putting

Bill Gates’s Source Code: My Beginnings (Book Overview)

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What childhood experiences shaped Bill Gates into the tech visionary we know today? How did a rebellious middle child from Seattle end up founding one of the world’s most influential technology companies? Bill Gates’s Source Code: My Beginnings reveals these formative moments. The book traces his journey from an energetic troublemaker to a pioneering entrepreneur. Gates shares stories about family influences, early computer encounters, and the friendships that changed everything. Continue reading for an overview of this autobiography.

The Art of Strategy by Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff

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Why do smart people sometimes make decisions that seem to work against their own interests? What if you could predict your competitors’ moves and always stay one step ahead? Game theory offers insights for navigating everything from business negotiations to everyday conflicts. The Art of Strategy by Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff explains how understanding strategic thinking can transform your approach to competition and cooperation. Keep reading for our overview of The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business and Life.