Books Archives

Decoding Greatness by Ron Friedman: Overview & Takeaways

Do you want to make something memorable? What if you could recreate what you admire? What’s the surest road to success? In Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success, Ron Friedman provides a step-by-step process to help you succeed. The key is to find work you admire, take it apart to see how it’s made, and then create your own version of it. Keep reading for an overview of this book that will inspire you, whether you’re an artist looking to hone your craft or an entrepreneur hunting for the next big business idea.

Amplify Your Influence: Book Overview (René Rodriguez)

Do you want to improve your communication skills and positively affect others’ actions? What if you could engage an audience the way Aristotle did? In Amplify Your Influence, René Rodriguez covers the basics of persuasion including how to use four of Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals to connect with any audience. You’ll also learn how to apply the author’s three essential steps for effective communication. Read below for a brief Amplify Your Influence book overview.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Book Overview

Is there a cultural revolution going on in the West? If so, when and how did it start? What does our sense of self have to do with it? In The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl Trueman argues that cultural developments of the past three centuries have transformed our conception of selfhood. It’s changed from a self rooted in religion, tradition, and community to one rooted in individualism, emotion, and sexuality. Continue reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.

How to Be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo: Overview

What’s “mindful loving”? Do you want a long-lasting, healthy, and fulfilling love? In How to Be an Adult in Relationships, David Richo says the secret to a stable relationship is mindful loving. It’s a compassionate, realistic approach to love based on the Buddhist practice of mindfulness. Read below for a brief overview of How to Be an Adult in Relationships.

You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters

What’s the difference between simply hearing and effectively listening? What are you missing by not listening well? Kate Murphy’s You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters makes a case for the value of listening more effectively. She argues that people are struggling to pay attention to each other, largely thanks to our self-centered culture, technological distractions, and a toxic political atmosphere. Continue reading for an overview of this important book.

The Phoenix Project: Book Overview and Lessons

Is the book The Phoenix Project worth reading? What can IT departments learn from the business parable? In The Phoenix Project, Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford present a fictional case study of a business that’s failing because it doesn’t align the work of IT services with the company’s goals. The authors then show how an IT department can turn itself around and get back in the game. Keep reading for a The Phoenix Project book overview, as well as the lessons you can learn from the authors.

How Highly Effective People Speak: Overview & Takeaways

How can understanding cognitive biases help you communicate more effectively? Is it okay to take advantage of these flawed perceptions in others? In How Highly Effective People Speak, Peter D. Andrei shares the basic strategies of powerful communication. He teaches you how to speak with eloquence and persuasion—not by simply repeating platitudes, but by diving into what makes them true and how they make communication more effective. Continue reading for an overview of this book that can make you a more effective person.

Kindra Hall’s Stories That Stick: Book Overview

What is Kindra Hall’s Stories That Stick about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Stories That Stick, Kindra Hall discusses why stories are so powerful, explains what makes a good story, and introduces four core story models. She also includes prompts to help you build a stockpile of compelling stories. Read below for a brief overview of Stories That Stick.

The 9 Best Books on Burnout Prevention and Recovery

Are you exhausted from work? What are the best books on burnout to read? Working hard is one thing, but overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion is another. When you do the latter, you experience burnout, which is physical and emotional tiredness that can leave you feeling frustrated over your imbalanced life. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best books on burnout to keep you out of a sluggish state.

Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen: Overview

Want to learn about Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen? What does it take for a new product to be successful? Unlock the secrets to launching successful products with Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen. No more relying on luck or guesswork—Christensen reveals a powerful framework for understanding consumer demand and the way people buy products to accomplish specific tasks. Read on for an overview of Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice by Clayton Christensen.