The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the three-act story structure? How does this structure create a memorable story that your business thrives from? Most stories are split into three acts: the beginning, the middle, and the end. But Stories That Stick by Kindra Hall says that businesses should think of this structure as a before, the change, and the after to sell their story to customers. Let’s look at how Hall reimagines the classic three-act story structure.
How can you show people that you’re listening? What puts them at ease with you and encourages them to speak frankly? Listening is critical for healthy relationships. It not only fosters effective communication, but it also shows people that you care. In You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy recommends finding responses during conversations that encourage the speaker to continue sharing with you. Keep reading to learn how to get people to open up to you by using specific nonverbal and verbal responses.
Has your career come to a halt? Where you can find advice that is worthwhile? Making a change in your career is a big step, and having other people’s insight can help you navigate tricky decisions. In The Startup of You, Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha suggest looking for advice within your professional network because those people may have gone through the same thing. Here’s how to get advice that is worth your time and will get you the best results.
Why does a good story need cause and effect? How much should you put into the beginning of your story? Why does your company need its own story? Everybody knows what a story is. But few of us really understand why stories work or how they can make us better at communicating. In Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results, Rob Biesenbach breaks a story down into its fundamental pieces. Read more to learn how you can use storytelling to make any message more engaging and compelling.
Do you have future family plans? When should you discuss having a baby with your partner? Whether you’re in a new relationship or a long-term one, it’s crucial to discuss future family plans with your partner. If you aren’t on the same page about having children or what your family would look like, then it’s better to know early on. Read below to learn how to bring up future family plans on a date with your partner.
Do you have trouble connecting to your audience? What are the different types of stories you can use to attract customers? It can be intimidating to know how to choose the right story for the right occasion, especially when it comes to marketing. In Stories That Stick, Kindra Hall outlines four core stories that you can swap in depending on your audience and your intended goal. Below we’ll look at four stories every businessperson should have in their back pocket.
Do you ever check out in the middle of a conversation? How good are you at reading body language? In You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy argues that listening skills are disappearing throughout society. She asserts that this has a disastrous impact because effective listening forms the foundation of healthy relationships, personal growth, and social cooperation. Read more to learn how to improve your listening skills with Murphy’s recommendations.
When and how should you praise your kids? When should you let natural consequences speak for you? In 1-2-3 Magic, clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan provides strategies for (1) stopping unwanted behavior, (2) helping kids initiate and sustain productive behaviors, and (3) fostering healthy parent-child relationships. The second part of his method entails a heavy dose of positivity. Keep reading to learn how to effectively use positive reinforcement for children.
How do you have fun in a relationship? What are some ways to be playful with your partner? One of the best ways to have a happy relationship is to simply have fun. The book Eight Dates says that being playful can open up many doors in your relationship, including new activities the two of you can do on dates. Check out how to have fun in a relationship and let loose.
What makes a story a story? What does your audience expect from your narrative? In his 2018 book Unleash the Power of Storytelling, speechwriter-turned-actor Rob Biesenbach asserts that you can make any message much more compelling by simply telling a story. Whether you’re writing a novel or preparing a toast, you can learn from his advice. Keep reading to learn the three necessary components of a story, no matter what your message is.