Shortform Books

Angela Duckworth: What Is the Meaning of “Grit?”

What is the meaning of “grit”? Is the idea of grit something new and revolutionary, or is it an old concept with a new name? In her New York Times bestselling book Grit, Angela Duckworth defines grit as a personality trait that combines perseverance and passion. She asserts that having grit is more important than any natural intelligence or talent. However, not everyone agrees with Duckworth’s conclusions. Continue reading to learn more about the meaning of grit from opposing viewpoints.

David Epstein: Generalist vs. Specialist

Is it better to have a wide range of skills or be an expert in one specialty? What are the downsides of being an expert in one field? In his book Range, David Epstein explains why, contrary to traditional belief, it’s better to have a wide variety of general skills rather than being an expert in one specialty. There are three major reasons why the specialist path falls short. Read more to learn about the generalist vs. specialist conundrum.

Erin Meyer: The Culture Map Framework

How do you measure cultural differences? In what key ways do the world’s cultures differ? In an increasingly globalized world, understanding different cultures is an essential business skill. However, there are few systematic methods for analyzing and dealing with specific cultural differences. To address this gap, cultural communication expert Erin Meyer developed an eight-dimension framework for mapping cultural differences. In this article, we’ll look at Erin Meyer’s culture map comprised of the eight axes of cultural difference.

What Is Crippling Depression? (and 15+ Tips for Coping)

The Loneliness Epidemic: Why We Feel Disconnected

What is crippling depression? How does it impact your daily life? Crippling depression is another term for clinical depression, a debilitating illness that can severely impact your life. It can cause persistent feelings of sadness, problems at work, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating. At worst, it can lead to suicide. Keep reading to find out the causes of crippling depression and some helpful tips for coping.

How to Fix Poor Impulse Control: Pause and Think

Do you often act on impulse? What can you do to keep your impulsive reactions at bay? Emotions get the better of all of us from time to time, especially when we are under stress or pressure. One way you can train yourself to take control of how you react to situations is by delaying your response to stimuli. In this article, you will learn how to deal with poor impulse control by delaying your responses.

What Is the Purpose of Small Talk?

Why is small talk so important? Are there benefits to mastering small talk? The need for small talk comes up more than many of us would like—at work, with neighbors, on dates, and even with family members. So, whether you like it or not, you should learn to get better at the art of small talk. In this article, we’ll explore the purpose of small talk generally and in business relationships.

Technology Adoption Life Cycle: The Late Majority

What is the “late majority” in the context of technology adoption? How does the late majority market adopt new technology? The late majority is the group of customers who favor stability and familiarity over progress and novelty. They are not interested in new technology or the advantages it affords, but as it becomes standard and the technology that it replaces becomes obsolete, they will eventually upgrade to mitigate risk. Learn about the characteristics of the late majority market.

The Importance of Purpose: What’s Your “Why”?

Why is passion alone not enough to reach your goals? What is the second key ingredient in goal achievement? According to Angela Duckworth, the author of Grit, passion is not enough to keep you motivated and disciplined in the pursuit of your goals. In addition to passion, you also need purpose. Together, passion and purpose form “grit.” When you have grit, you’ll find both motivation and discipline to keep going until you reach your goal. Continue reading to learn about the importance of purpose in goal achievement.

Erin Meyer: Culture and Trust-Building

How do different cultures build trust? What are the implications of a culture’s trust-building style for business relationships? Different cultures build trust in different ways. Without a clear understanding of how a particular culture builds trust, you are prone to misunderstanding the nature of your relationship with your business partners. In other words, you might think that you have a more or less significant relationship than you actually do. In this article, we’ll look at the two ways in which different cultures build trust, according to cultural communication expert Erin Meyer.

How to Create a Product Positioning Statement

What is a product positioning statement? What is the purpose of writing a product positioning statement for your business? A product positioning statement is a description of your target customers and the value you provide to them. Marketing and sales teams use the product positioning statement to inform customer messaging and ensure all communication is consistent. Here are some tips on how to write an effective product positioning statement for your business.