Work Archives

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy

Do you feel the need to be productive all the time? Do you feel guilty when you do nothing? It’s easy to feel like you have to constantly be doing something. Social media declares that, to be a good person, you have to pay attention to the right post or cause; you feel like your time is money and you have to constantly use it productively. Jenny Odell says we must understand and resist this mindset. Keep reading for an overview of Odell’s book How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy.

How to Scale Culture as Your Business Grows (The Voltage Effect)

As your organization grows, how can you maintain your culture? How should your teams be organized, and what should they prioritize? The Voltage Effect by John A. List is an economics text designed to help you understand the characteristics of scalable ideas. He argues that you should focus on building a sustainable culture while you scale your ideas. Read more to learn how to scale culture by embracing collaboration and diversity.

Scaling Strategies: 4 Ways to Help Your Idea or Business Succeed

Have you ever had an idea with the potential to change your organization, your city, or even the world? How can you give it the best chance to succeed? In The Voltage Effect, economist and professor John A. List offers his advice for how to take things from the small scale to the big stage. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an activist, or anyone else with a brilliant idea, you can make use of his scaling strategies. Keep reading to find out how to help your idea succeed over time.

How to Connect With Your Audience: Tips From John C. Maxwell

When you speak, do people tune out? How does your audience know that you care about them? According to John Maxwell, your primary goal when communicating should be to connect with your audience and to provide them with valuable and meaningful content. He explains why connection matters and how to build it. Keep reading for Maxwell’s advice on how to connect with your audience when you speak.

The Genius Zone by Gay Hendricks: Overview & Takeaways

Do you feel unfulfilled in life? Does it seem like you’re wasting your time and squandering your potential? You can spend your time thinking about the things you can control or the things you can’t. Stanford-trained psychologist Gay Hendricks writes that the way to be happy is to let go of the things you can’t control and instead devote your time and energy to things you can change. Continue reading for an overview of Hendricks’s book The Genius Zone.

How to Learn From Others: Practical Advice From Confucius

When you observe others, what do you learn? What kind of people should you seek to learn from? In The Analects, Confucius discusses the importance of learning from other people. This might be through an actual teacher-learner dynamic or simply through observation. He says it’s important to learn from the right people, and he explains how you can find them. Keep reading for advice from Confucius on how to learn from others.

How to Write an Effective Speech: Tips From John C. Maxwell

Do you know how to write an effective speech? When and how should you use stories and visual aids? How should transitions be structured? According to John C. Maxwell, even experienced speakers prepare extensively before speaking in front of an audience. Of course, preparation includes the actual writing of your speech. Maxwell describes several steps for turning your research and preparation into a memorable message. Continue reading for Maxwell’s expert recommendations that you can put to work for you right away.

3 Benefits of Doing What You Love: Life in the Genius Zone

Does your mind tend to get stuck in negative places? Do you feel like you’re not really able to be yourself and thrive in your own way? Gay Hendricks uses the term “Genius Zone” to refer to the mind-body space that you enter when two conditions are met: You’re doing what you love to do, and you’re using your skills to make a positive impact in the world. This, he says, is where you should devote your time and attention. Continue reading to learn the three benefits of doing what you love and making a difference in the process.

How to Encourage Participation in a Collaborative Project

Are your employees failing to work as a team? How should you encourage participation to get the job done? While working on a team project, your first collaboration session with your team involves weighing your options and deciding upon a course of action. Leadership Is Language by L. David Marquet suggests a few ways to communicate open participation during these sessions. Discover how to encourage participation and invite honesty in the workplace.

Confucius Weighs in on the Importance of Hard Work in Life

Do you feel guilty when you know you could have done more? Could you be more productive if you arranged your life differently? In The Analects, Confucius teaches that good people work hard. So, if you want to be a decent person and live a meaningful life, you must put your mind to everything you do and give it your best. Continue reading to learn about the importance of hard work in life, according to Confucius.