The World's Best Book Summaries
Does your company promote open communication? Do your employees have a voice at work? In psychologically unsafe workplaces, employees will feel silenced and belittled. Amy C. Edmondson’s book The Fearless Organization explains how a culture of silence will eventually hurt the company down the line. Continue reading to learn how silence in the workplace harms workers, leaders, and businesses.
In a digital folder, how many files are “too many”? How can you separate work files from personal files? Should you use cloud or physical storage as a backup? Neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin argues that you can free up mental energy by externalizing and organizing information. That applies to both physical objects and digital data. In his book The Organized Mind, he discusses how an organized computer contributes to an organized mind. Continue reading for Levitin’s practical advice on how to organize computer files.
Do you have writer’s block? Do you want to improve your writing skills? Whether you’re writing a novel, advertisements, or an essay for class, good writing skills will come in handy. Thankfully, these skills can be learned through practice, perseverance, and a good book. Below, we’ve listed thirteen essential books that every writer should read to improve their skills.
What is a pointless job? How can you identify one? What are the common characteristics and categories? In Bullshit Jobs, David Graeber argues that many jobs in contemporary industrial societies are, in fact, pointless. This flies in the face of our conventional economic thinking, in which jobs exist largely to fulfill a pre-existing need that adds value to society. Keep reading to learn how to identify pointless jobs, according to Graeber.
Want to know how to stand out at work in any job? What advice do leadership experts offer? According to entrepreneur and leadership expert Seth Godin, if you want to stand out at work, you must adopt a “linchpin” mindset. In his book Linchpin, he offers tips to help you stand out from your colleagues, based on the linchpin mindset. Keep reading to learn how to stand out at work, according to Godin’s four tips.
Looking for an overview of David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs book? How does he explain pointless jobs and their effects? In Bullshit Jobs, David Graeber describes the types and characteristics of pointless jobs and why they’ve become so widespread. He further explores the psychological impact of working a pointless job and suggests a possible solution to eliminate the need for meaningless work. Read on for an overview of David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs book.
Should you bring your “whole self” to work? Why has this become a heated debate? Many workplaces are encouraging employees to bring their “whole (authentic) self” to work. However, not everyone can agree on what exactly this means or what the risks and benefits are to your career. Keep reading to learn more about bringing your whole self to work and why it’s debated.
Can you rely on your employees? How do you build trust in the workplace? Building trust in the workplace begins by letting your employees know that they’re valued. In The Fearless Organization, Amy C. Edmondson emphasizes that giving your employees purpose will give them more of a reason to work harder. Keep reading to learn how to build trust with your employees.
Want to know how to overcome perfectionism at work? Which perfectionist habits are the most damaging in the workplace? In Linchpin, author Seth Godin teaches you how to overcome perfectionism at work by practicing a new, empowered way of thinking—the “linchpin” mindset. Godin’s aim is not to teach you a new way to act, but rather a new way to think about your work, leading to healthier, more successful habits. Read on to learn how to overcome perfectionism at work, according to Godin’s advice.
What are meaningless jobs? Why are they a little-known consequence of toxic American work culture and values? In his book Bullshit Jobs, David Graeber explores the phenomenon of meaningless jobs in industrialized Western societies. He claims that American work culture and values have allowed meaningless jobs to thrive, resulting in damaging psychological effects on workers and society at large. Read on to learn more about American work culture, values, and meaningless jobs, according to Graeber.