Shortform Books

Surrounded by Idiots: Review, Background, and Context

Are you thinking of reading Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson? What kind of impact and reception did the book have when it was released? Surrounded by Idiots is a guide to understanding yourself and the people at work who just aren’t like you. Bestselling author and communication expert Thomas Erikson asserts that there are four personality types, and we all fall into one or more of these categories. Continue reading for our Surrounded by Idiots review.

Natural Athleticism: Why Elite Athletes Look So Similar

Is there such a thing as natural athleticism? What is more important when it comes to sports performance—practice or innate ability? Different sports place different demands on the human body. Sprinters need to be fast. Soccer players need to be coordinated. Most people’s mental model of a female gymnast would be of someone small in stature, while our mental model of a basketball player is likely tall. We can train our bodies to be the best they can be at a sport, but no amount of training can override natural athleticism. Keep reading to learn about natural athleticism and where

What Dan Harris Learned From Eckhart Tolle

What lessons did Dan Harris learn from Eckhart Tolle? What four truths about ego does Harris share? In his book 10% Happier, Dan Harris explains how he was once lost in life—he suffered from career anxiety, panic attacks, and drug addiction. At the time, he was a self-help skeptic yet he agreed to read Eckhart Tolle. Dan Harris said that after learning about Tolle’s take on ego, his way of thinking changed forever. Continue reading to learn what lessons Harris learned from Tolle.

Surrounded by Idiots: The Green Personality Type

What does it mean to have a Green personality? Why would it be a good idea to go to a Green-dominant person for advice? In the book Surrounded by Idiots, Green personality types are described as being introverted, dependable, and caring. At work, you would call on a Green-dominant person if you needed advice from someone down-to-earth and calming. Here’s everything you need to know about the Green personality type.

When to Fire an Employee Who Is Only “Good Enough”

How do you know when to fire an employee? Why should you fire employees who are “good” but not “great”? At Netflix, Reed Hastings’s policy is to fire an employee even if they haven’t done anything wrong. He treats his company like a sports team—you will be replaced if the company finds someone better. This may sound harsh, but it’s part of the reason why Netflix is such a successful company. Here’s why Netflix lets go of adequate employees and how to manage the potential pitfalls of this practice.

Raving Fans: Book Review, Background, and Context

What is the book Raving Fans about? What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses, and how was it critically received? In Raving Fans, management experts Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles argue that successful organizations have one common central focus: providing an excellent customer service experience. And that any type of organization or business that serves people can benefit from these principles to create “Raving Fans.” Here’s our Raving Fans book review.

Sports Genetics: How Genes Influence Athletic Ability

What role does genetics play in sports performance? Are there specific “sports genes” that confer an advantage in sports? Our anatomy and physiology are functions of our genes. While we may know that traits are encoded for in our DNA, finding the exact genes that produce these characteristics remains elusive. However, science has made great strides in finding specific genes that impact sports performance. Keep reading to learn about sports genetics and how genes determine people’s sports performance via response to training.

Seeking Validation From Others Won’t Make You Happy

Do you seek validation from others—whether that be online or in-person? Why is that setting an impossible goal? In a world that is focused on social media and external validation, many people have started to seek happiness through the approval of others. The problem is that other people’s opinions are out of your control and if you rely on them for happiness, then you don’t control your own happiness levels. Continue below for an in-depth look at how seeking external validation can affect you.

The Observing Self vs. the Thinking Self

What is the thinking self? Do you agree with Descartes’ philosophical notion that “I think, therefore I am?” We have two minds or “selves” that affect our response to events: the thinking self and the observing self. The thinking self provides a running (judgmental) commentary on events, while the observing self neutrally observes this running commentary. In this article, we’ll define the thinking self and the observing self and explore the relationship between the two minds.

David Epstein: The Sports Gene—Book Overview

What is David Epstein’s The Sports Gene about? What role does genetic makeup play in sports success? In The Sports Gene, David Epstein explores how our underlying genetic differences impact our performance on the sports field. As the title implies, the author suggests a strong genetic component to success in sports. However, the book also recognizes that, as complex human beings, athletes cannot be defined by genes alone. Here’s our overview of the book’s background, context, impact, and approach.