You Win in the Locker Room First: Book Overview & Takeaways

A coach talking to football players in the locker room

In both sports and business, the key to victory is not raw talent, but the two “big Cs”: character and coaching. In their book You Win in the Locker Room First, Jon Gordon and former NFL coach Mike Smith discuss the unseen work of building trust, commitment, and shared purpose that lays the groundwork for future triumphs. This overview categorizes Gordon and Smith’s principles for success under those two big Cs. We’ll discuss why team members must be fully dedicated to each other and the team, and we’ll explain how your coaching methods can help that group of dedicated people

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.

Teaming by Amy C. Edmondson: Book Overview & Takeaways

A team of employees reading a book in the workplace

Do you want to improve the way your teams work in the office? How can you get complete strangers to work together effectively? Working with teams today in a constantly changing environment demands a flexible approach that traditional teamwork can’t provide. In Teaming, Amy C. Edmondson offers a solution: dynamic collaboration that brings together diverse expertise without requiring years of shared work history. Read more in our overview of Teaming.

Lily Zheng’s DEI Deconstructed: Book Overview & Takeaways

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Are you tired of DEI programs that sound good on paper but fail to create real change? What does it actually take to build a workplace that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion? Lily Zheng’s DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right cuts through the noise with a no-nonsense approach to diversity work. The book reveals why most corporate initiatives backfire and offers a practical roadmap for organizations ready to move beyond surface-level gestures. Read on to discover how to transform your workplace into one where meaningful progress replaces empty promises.

How to Transition to Remote Work as a Company (& Thrive)

A woman on a video call with her coworkers because she has transitioned to remote work

Are you considering transitioning your workforce to remote work? How can you set your organization up for remote success? In the book Remote, tech entrepreneurs Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson present a case for work without physical boundaries. They argue that transitioning to remote work can be highly beneficial, but it can’t be done haphazardly. Here’s how you can run a successful business with remote-only employees.

Project Resources: Making the Most of Your People & Money

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Do you ever worry about not having enough resources to complete an important project? How can you maximize the people and money available to you? In his book Start Finishing, Charlie Gilkey explains that we typically have more project resources than we realize. Overcoming resource barriers involves finding the right supporters and spending your budget where it matters most. Read on to discover how to find four types of people who can help your project succeed and learn strategies for making every dollar count.

How to Make a Business More Efficient: 3 Strategies to Streamline

A smiling woman working on a laptop illustrates how to make a business more efficient

Would you like to save time and money running your business? What if you could serve more customers without sacrificing quality? In his book Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got, Jay Abraham shares powerful advice on how to make a business more efficient. He explains that greater efficiency allows you to handle more customers while maintaining quality, ultimately leading to increased sales and profits. Keep reading to discover ways to review your processes, test improvements, and leverage automation that can transform your operations.

Organizational Insight: How to Create an Environment for Innovation

Many lightbulbs in an open workspace illustrates organizational insight

What conditions make an organization resistant to new ideas? How can leaders create environments where breakthroughs flourish instead of getting stifled? In his book Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein reveals how, too often, organizations are places that never give rise to new ideas. He identifies three major barriers to organizational insight and shares advice on how to build an insight-rich culture. Continue reading to explore Klein’s strategies for breaking down these barriers and leading an organization where insights thrive.

Effective Leadership Skills You Can Gain by Being Authentic

A colorful illustration of business managers with effective leadership skills

Have you ever wondered what truly sets exceptional leaders apart from the rest? What if the key to developing effective leadership skills lies in understanding yourself first? Jerry Colonna’s book Reboot, reveals that authentic leadership begins with deep self-awareness and personal growth. His approach challenges traditional leadership development methods by focusing on understanding our inner workings, past experiences, and behavioral patterns that shape our leadership style. Learn why embracing vulnerability might be your greatest strength.