Shortform Books

The 3 Cultural Challenges That Leaders Face

As you strive to shape the culture of your organization, what should you expect? How flexible should you be? Does every employee need to be on board? In his book What You Do Is Who You Are, CEO and venture capitalist Ben Horowitz discusses three cultural challenges that leaders face as they seek to shape their organization’s culture. He explains that they must deal with the fact that culture is both aspirational and actionable, culture is always evolving, and culture is universal. Continue reading to learn more about these challenges.

Kate Raworth: What Is Homo Economicus?

What is “homo economicus”? Does the assumption of homo economicus reflect an average economic agent? Economics, once focused on the study of the production of goods and services, has branched into psychology and now purports to explain the motivations and beliefs of the human beings who produce those goods and services. At the heart of the current economic theory is “homo economicus”—the idea that humans are rational beings making optimal economic choices in the light of perfect access to information. Here’s why the homo economicus model is ultimately flawed, according to Kate Raworth.

The Psychology of Social Interaction

How does the social environment affect human behavior? Do you behave differently around the higher-ups? Social environment has a tremendous influence on human behavior. People tend to act differently than their normal self around higher-ups and people from out-groups. Also, men tend to take greater risks in the company of women. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of social interaction.

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav: Book Overview

What’s The Seat of the Soul about? What does it say about the nature of the universe and the material world? What does it teach about the soul’s purpose and evolution? The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav is a best-selling exploration of the soul’s evolutionary journey through the material realm. Published in 1989, following Zukav’s acclaimed The Dancing Wu Li Masters (which explored the connection between quantum physics and spirituality), this book earned a spot as an Oprah Winfrey favorite and gained a wide following throughout the 1990s. Keep reading for our overview of The Seat of the

Overcoming the 3 Major Obstacles to Innovation

What are the major obstacles to innovation in organizations? Why do innovative ideas get shot down? According to Safi Bahcall, the major obstacle to innovation is disbelief: Groundbreaking innovative ideas are often dismissed as crazy and overly ambitious. He calls such ideas “loonshots” (loonshot = loony + moonshot). In addition, innovation-focused companies may fall into traps that keep them from innovating successfully. Here are three traps that kill innovation.

The Relationship Between Poverty and Education

What is the relationship between poverty and education? Why do the poor choose not to send their children to school? Poverty is a major obstacle to obtaining an education. But even when education is available, poor parents may choose not to send their children to school. This is because there’s often a lack of well-paying jobs in poor areas, so parents don’t bother educating their children because they see little point in doing so. Here’s why the poor often choose not to make use of the educational opportunities that are available to them.

Toyota’s Leadership Style: Respect and Relationships

What is Toyota’s leadership style? What do Toyota leaders value? In The Toyota Way, Jeffrey Liker explains how Toyota manages its people. He covers how Toyota shows respect for its employees, promotes leaders from the inside, prioritizes teamwork, and extends relationship-building to the whole supply chain. Keep reading to learn more about Toyota’s leadership style.

Real Estate Investment Tips: If & When You Should Buy

Is real estate a good investment? If so, how much should you invest, and when should you take this step? David Chilton, in his book The Wealthy Barber, recommends that you invest 10% of your income. A good place for this money, he says, is real estate. However, he provides some real estate investment tips that help you know if and when you should buy. Here’s what you should consider if you’re thinking about investing in real estate.

Hormones and Neurotransmitters in the Brain

What is a neurotransmitter? What are the key neurotransmitters that shape our behavior and moods? Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that pass on signals between the brain’s cells—neurons. Neurotransmitters play a key role in how you feel and act moment to moment. There are dozens of neurotransmitters at work in the human brain, but the most noteworthy ones are dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and testosterone. Let’s take a look at the major brain neurotransmitters and how they drive behavior.

How to Deal With Negative Comments Online

How do you deal with negative comments online? What is the risk of sharing your work online? Sharing your work online might bring negative attention, which can be discouraging. Artist and author Austin Kleon has advice on how to deal with negative comments so you can focus on your work without distractions. Read more on the different ways to deal with negative comments online from Show Your Work!.