The World's Best Book Summaries
What’s the problem with pride in a business setting? How can failing actually help you? Confidence is a great thing to have as a leader or entrepreneur, but it’s another thing to be too prideful. According to The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham, pride can cloud your judgment on important decisions that increase risk for your company. Let’s look at why pride can turn into a problem for leaders.
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.
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.
Why is it important to focus on customers in business? How can you differentiate from your competitors in the market? Your customers should be the main focus of your company. They’re the people giving you profit, so you should cater to their needs. That being said, you should also find your niche that shows your customers you stand out from competitors. Here’s why you need to focus on creating a customer-focused company that values relationships with consumers.
What is the importance of planning in business? How can you create a detailed plan that will help execute your goals? A solid plan is essential for any growing business. Keith Cunningham’s book The Road Less Stupid says that having a goal for your business isn’t good enough. You need a clear plan for how to reach that goal and track your progress. Keep reading to learn why a business plan is important and how to develop one.
Is your organization going through a significant change? What are the best books on change management that can help you smoothly initiate the transition? Changes at work can be scary, especially for people who rely on a steady routine. But changes are bound to happen, and you need to be prepared to overcome any bumps in the road during that transition. Below we’ve gathered the eight best books on change management that every leader needs to keep on their shelf.
What’s the importance of reflection at work? Does every project need time for regrouping? Without deliberate time for reflection, you risk getting stuck with a bad decision or missing out on valuable insights for improvement. In your post-execution collaboration session, L. David Marquet’s book Leadership Is Language advises you to celebrate the completion of an experiment and encourages reflection. We’ll discuss both of these actions in more depth.
Are you a leader that people depend on? How can you avoid mistakes at work? Mistakes are bound to happen in the workplace, but the great thing is that you can learn from them. Keith Cunningham’s book The Road Less Stupid says that you’ll be able to avoid making the same mistakes twice if you take the time to think about your decisions before making them. Continue reading to learn how to avoid mistakes at work.
What’s the primary goal of public speaking? How’s it achieved? In The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, internationally renowned speaker John C. Maxwell shares his secrets to becoming a confident and effective communicator capable of delivering any message to any audience. He provides practical tips for achieving the primary objective of public speaking. Read more to learn how to motivate people with Maxwell’s three recommendations.
What’s the benefit of publicly admitting your mistakes? What’s the difference between working fast and working efficiently? According to Confucius, leadership is the ultimate destination for knowledgeable and virtuous people. In The Analects, he explains how to gain knowledge and morality. Then, he offers practical advice on leadership itself. Read more to learn Confucius’s leadership advice.