Scott Shigeoka’s Seek: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

A close-up of a curious person with curly brown hair looking through a magnifying glass

These days, many of us feel more disconnected than ever. Scott Shigeoka’s 2023 book Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, offers a timely antidote, arguing that the basic curiosity we use to scroll through headlines isn’t enough to heal our divides. Instead, Shigeoka introduces the concept of true curiosity—a deep, intentional practice of outward and inward exploration that moves beyond surface-level facts to foster genuine human connection and personal growth. Our overview of the book breaks down the four essential tenets of true curiosity—letting go of preconceptions, practicing intentionality, recognizing inherent worth, and leaning into

Hedgehog Concept: Complete Guide—What It Is, How to Use It

A hedgehog representing the hedgehog concept

What is Jim Collins’s “hedgehog concept”? A hedgehog concept is a simple concept in response to the complex facts of reality. The principle was introduced by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great, in which he argues that truly great companies are oriented around a hedgehog concept. If you think thinking like a hedgehog can help your company in the long run, we have a breakdown of Collins’s advice on using the principle to your advantage. We’ll cover the Good to Great hedgehog concept, examples, and the questions to ask yourself and your team to find your own hedgehog

Celery Test: The Simple Tool for Making Better Decisions

An image of celery representing the "celery test" from Start With Why.

What is the Celery Test? How can it help you make better decisions, in life and in business? The Celery Test is a tool to help you make better decisions by understanding the purpose behind the decision. The Celery Test was made popular by Simon Sinek in his book Start with Why. We’ll cover the Celery Test analogy and how to use it to make good decisions. Then we’ll look at an example of how the Celery Test is used in making business decisions.

Emotions in Negotiation: How to Balance Relationships & Results

People feeling tense while sitting at the negotiating table illustrates emotions in negotiation

The most successful agreements are rarely won on facts and figures alone. Mastering emotions in negotiation is the “secret weapon” of high-stakes communicators, as it allows you to separate the human ego from the technical problem at hand. By understanding the psychological drivers behind every demand, you can turn potential conflict into a collaborative win-win scenario. This guide explores the core principles from the book Getting to Yes, offering actionable strategies to handle high-pressure situations with emotional intelligence. Whether you’re navigating a complex corporate deal or a personal dispute, learning to manage your emotions during negotiations will ensure you protect

The Pitfalls of Positional Bargaining & What to Do Instead

A woman speaking to a group at an art gallery illustrates positional bargaining

When we approach a conflict, most of us instinctively default to positional bargaining, a “dig in your heels” tactic where each side fights for a rigid demand. While common in everything from used car sales to international diplomacy, this tug-of-war approach often leads to stalled agreements and damaged relationships. According to negotiation theorists Roger Fisher and William Ury, the key to a successful outcome isn’t playing “hard” or “soft,” but shifting toward a strategy that prioritizes mutual gain and objective fairness. This article explores why positional bargaining fails to meet the three criteria of a wise negotiation: efficiency, efficacy, and

Emotional Self-Awareness: Definition, Benefits, Tactics

Emotional Self-Awareness: Definition, Benefits, Tactics

Can you improve your emotional intelligence? According to Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, authors of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, the answer is yes—and the foundation starts with emotional self-awareness, your ability to recognize your emotions as they happen and understand your patterns over time. Bradberry and Greaves argue that self-awareness is a skill anyone can develop, but research shows that people experience and express emotional awareness differently. Here’s why you need it and 15 tactics to help you develop it.

The Focusing Question: Your ONE Thing for Uncommon Success

The Focusing Question: Your ONE Thing for Uncommon Success

The Focusing Question is a powerful productivity tool from Gary Keller’s book The ONE Thing that helps you identify the single most important action you can take to achieve your goals. By asking “What’s the one thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”, you cut through distractions and focus on what truly matters. Continue reading to learn how to ask the Focusing Question effectively, find powerful answers at different time scales, and make it a daily success habit that improves how you work and live.

Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness: The Basics

Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness: The Basics

Ever notice how hunger makes you snappy, or how certain people instantly put you on edge? That’s self-awareness in action—your ability to recognize emotions as they happen and understand your behavioral patterns over time. In Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves argue that this recognition forms the foundation of emotional intelligence, because you can’t manage an emotion you haven’t noticed. Keep reading to learn more about self-awareness and tactics for developing it.

Apply Discipline Strategically to Achieve Success

A man holding a checklist in a gym illustrates the importance of applying discipline

Many people fail to reach their goals because they believe success requires a superhuman, never-ending level of willpower. In reality, the secret isn’t being a naturally disciplined person; it’s learning how to apply discipline strategically to the right habits. By using the focusing question to identify the one behavior that makes everything else easier or unnecessary, you can move away from the myth of the “disciplined life” and toward a system of automatic success. Read on to discover why discipline is a short-term tool rather than a long-term personality trait and learn how to build sequential success one habit at