StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath: Overview & Exercise

StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath: Overview & Exercise

What’s the problem with modern self-improvement? How does the StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment address this shortcoming? StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath is a companion book to Gallup’s widely-used online strengths test—formerly called StrengthsFinder 2.0 and now called CliftonStrengths. This isn’t your average personality test: Rather than helping you pinpoint your weak spots, the Strengths Test helps you find your greatest strengths. Tom Rath, who’s written several bestselling self-help books (including How Full Is Your Bucket?), argues that, to be truly successful, you must channel your energy toward capitalizing on existing talents rather than working to eliminate weaknesses. Here’s our overview of

How to Create an Inclusive Culture at Your Workplace

How to Create an Inclusive Culture at Your Workplace

When hiring, do you look for particular people or particular skills? When leading, do you give everyone a chance to thrive? In What You Do Is Who You Are, Ben Horowitz looks to Genghis Khan for lessons on cultivating intentional culture. He identifies three tips for how to create an inclusive culture: take the lead, look for specific skills rather than specific people, and give everyone the opportunity to succeed. Keep reading for three ways to create an inclusive culture in the workplace.

What Does “Soul” Mean? An Eastern Perspective

What Does “Soul” Mean? An Eastern Perspective

What does “soul” mean? Is it distinct from the body? Are there individual souls and group souls? Inspired by Eastern mystical traditions, Gary Zukav argues that a soul is part of the divine consciousness. He distinguishes the soul from the body and provides his explanation for how the soul and body interact and why. He also discusses what he believes are the differences between human souls and the souls of other material things. Keep reading for this view of what “soul” means.

3 Benefits of Having a Mentor: Accelerate Your Learning

3 Benefits of Having a Mentor: Accelerate Your Learning

Do you want to enrich your growth? Have you considered finding a mentor? While self-directed learning can take you far, Robert Greene asserts that finding a mentor will accelerate and enrich your learning. He identifies three benefits of having a mentor, explains how you should go about finding one, and discusses when it’s time to move on from that relationship. Keep reading for more on mentorship.

The 3 Company Virtues Every Business Should Have

The 3 Company Virtues Every Business Should Have

Do people in your organization feel free to air their concerns? Do they trust each other? In What You Do Is Who You Are, Ben Horowitz draws lessons from samurai warriors on how to develop your organizational virtues. While he believes that you should choose virtues that are customized to your company, he argues that all organizations should have these three virtues: trust, freedom to speak freely, and loyalty. Here are the details on these three essential company virtues.

How to Read a Person: Seeing People as They Are

How to Read a Person: Seeing People as They Are

Do you know what your boss is thinking and feeling? Do your teammates really trust each other? Never underestimate the impact other people have on your life in general and your career in particular. You must have social know-how to get ahead in your field. This requires seeing people as they truly are, which can be difficult when people try to hide their true selves. You need to learn how to read a person—a skill that’s helpful in professional and personal life. Here’s why reading people is important and how to do it better.

4 Samurai Culture Lessons for the Workplace

4 Samurai Culture Lessons for the Workplace

What was samurai culture like? What aspects of it should be applied to organizational culture? Ben Horowitz believes business leaders should follow the samurai’s example of intentionally defining foundational beliefs coupled with instructions for everyday behavior. We’ll explore Horowitz’s four lessons from the samurai honor code as well as examples from the business world. Keep reading for details on these actionable values from samurai culture.

How to Master a Skill: 3 Tips for Hands-on Learning

How to Master a Skill: 3 Tips for Hands-on Learning

What’s the best way to learn a skill? How do you get momentum? What role do others play? Mastering a skill is a key component of mastering a discipline. In the book Mastery, Robert Greene argues that the best way to develop a skill is through hands-on learning. He provides three recommendations for practicing in this way. Keep reading for Greene’s advice on how to master a skill.

What Is Collective Consciousness? Souls Tied Together

What Is Collective Consciousness? Souls Tied Together

What is collective consciousness? How deeply do your actions affect others? Gary Zukav argues that your choices shape the realities of those you identify with, whether that’s others who share your gender, others who share your nationality, or other humans in general. He asserts that your behaviors carry vibrations that are felt by you and flow out to those around you. Here’s how Zukav discusses collective consciousness in his book The Seat of the Soul.