Shortform Books

The Dichotomy of Leadership: Book Overview

What is Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s book The Dichotomy of Leadership about? What is the key message to take away from the book? The Dichotomy of Leadership is Willink and Babin’s follow-up to 2015’s Extreme Ownership, which argues that a leader should take responsibility for all their team’s mistakes and do everything they can to improve the team’s chance of success. The principle of Extreme Ownership serves as the foundation of Willink and Babin’s argument throughout The Dichotomy of Leadership. Let’s explore five dichotomies that the authors believe every leader should strive to balance at all times.

The 4 Steps for Developing Autonomy in Adults

How does childhood conditioning shape our behavior in adulthood? Is it possible to shake off the weight of early conditioning? Childhood conditioning often weighs on people even in their adult years. This conditioning may leave some adults feeling like they don’t have the power to make their own choices in life. Luckily, this is a behavior growth obstacle that can be overcome. Here are four steps for developing autonomy in adults, according to psychiatrist Eric Berne.

Alternative Blindness and Decision-Making

The 3 Core Principles of Objective Decision Making

What is alternative blindness? How does alternative blindness affect decision-making? Alternative blindness is a decision-making bias where you hone in on two options, neglecting alternatives. This bias can manipulate you to follow other people’s plans. It makes Option A seem like your only choice when a different option could actually suit you better. Keep reading to learn about alternative blindness bias, why it happens, and how to overcome it.

Common Logical Fallacies, Errors, and Biases

What are some of the most common logical fallacies? Why do these fallacies occur? There are two main kinds of thinking: fast and instinctive, and slow and logical. Both play important roles, but both cause logical fallacies when used in the wrong situation. Here are some of the most common logical fallacies that come from using the wrong kind of thinking.

Survivorship Bias: Definition and Psychology

What is survivorship bias? Why does it occur? Survivorship bias is where you anticipate a higher chance of success in a project or venture than you actually have of achieving. This happens because success is more widely publicized than failure. Let’s explore the definition of survivorship bias and how not to fall prey to it.

How to Study Efficiently: 4 Ways to Aid Neuron Growth

What are some practical ways to study more efficiently? What study habits can help your brain perform better? Authors Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski explain how neurons work in your brain and how stronger synapses make it easier to recall information. Then they discuss four study habits you can use to promote neuron growth: exercising between study sessions, testing yourself with active recall, practicing spaced repetition, and getting enough sleep. Keep reading for details on how to study efficiently.

How We Develop Our Views on Money

How would you describe your relationship with money? Why do so many people act in so many different ways when it comes to money? According to Morgan Housel in his book The Psychology of Money, every person has a different relationship with money based on a few factors: what you live through, the financial climate, unemployment rates, etc. That’s why, no matter how much financial advice is out there, people will continue to act on what feels right to them. Here’s why subjective rationality plays a huge role in your views of money.

The Art of Thinking Clearly: Quotes by Rolf Dobelli

Are you looking for The Art of Thinking Clearly quotes by Rolf Dobelli? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In The Art of Thinking Clearly, Rolf Dobelli breaks down the most common logical fallacies that inhibit decision-making, including confirmation bias, social proof, and hindsight bias. Dobelli aims to help people recognize and overcome these fallacies so they can make better decisions. Below is a selection of passages with explanations.

The Roseto Effect: Social Relationships and Health

How do social relationships affect health? What role does socializing play in well-being? Research shows that social relationships are at least as important as diet and exercise for long-term health. Take a look, for example, at Roseto, a small town in Pennsylvania, where research suggested that tight-knit community relations were responsible for residents’ remarkably low levels of disease, alcoholism, and suicide. Here’s how social ties contribute to health, as evidenced by the Roseto population.