Shortform Books

How Speech Codes Are Threatening Universities

In what ways are speech codes reshaping academic life? Why are professors teaching in an atmosphere of intimidation? In their book, The Coddling of the American Mind, Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff argue that speech codes in universities are damaging free speech on campus. The authors say that college professors are constantly in fear of saying anything wrong or offending a student and so their ability to teach is being impacted. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of university speech codes.

3 Myths About Vulnerability and Emotional Armor

What are the three most common myths about vulnerability? What is emotional armor and why is it a barrier to wholehearted living? In Brené Brown’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, she discusses the three myths around vulnerability: that vulnerability is weakness, that shame can be handled in private, and that vulnerability is not necessary to build trust. In order to avoid being vulnerable, many will cloak themselves in emotional armor, which prevents them from living wholeheartedly. Continue reading for more information about the vulnerability myths and emotional armor.

Overcoming the 3 Types of Organizational Inertia

What is organizational inertia? How does inertia manifest within an enterprise and how can you overcome it as a business? In simple terms, organizational inertia is when an enterprise becomes “set in its own ways.” According to Richard P. Rumelt, the author of Good Strategy, Bad Strategy, inertia generally falls into one of three categories: 1) inertia of habits, 2) cultural inertia, and 3) indirect inertia. Keep reading to learn about organizational inertia, its types, and ways to overcome it.

International Trade Economics: What Role Does It Play?

Is global trade increasing? What role does international trade play in a country’s economy? To a large extent, the world is economically interdependent. Exports have increased from 8 percent of global GDP in 1950 to 25 percent today, meaning that countries are trading many more of their goods and services abroad. Overall, international trade makes all the countries involved richer and raises their standards of living, be they rich or poor to start with. In this article, we’ll look at the economics of international trade, and how it can be used to improve living standards around the world.

Sex and Intimacy: How to Have the Best of Both Worlds

Are sex and intimacy mutually exclusive? In what way do they contradict each other? Is there a way to bridge the gap? Sex and emotional intimacy may seem at odds with each other but they don’t have to be. According to couples therapist Esther Perel, you can have the best of both worlds—passionate sex and emotional intimacy. In this article, we’ll discuss the clash between sex and intimacy and how to balance the two.

Never Split the Difference: Book Review (Chris Voss)

Is Never Split the Difference worth reading? What is the main factor, according to its author Chris Voss, that drives decision-making in a negotiation? Chris Voss’s 2016 book Never Split the Difference (with co-writing assistance from Tahl Raz) was seen as an important contribution to the literature of negotiation theory and strategy. Voss’s main thesis is that good negotiation happens on the emotional level of the brain, not the rational level. This Never Split the Difference book review takes a look at the book’s inspiration and background, intellectual context, and its key strengths and weaknesses.

Clarity of Purpose: The Kernel of an Effective Team

What if every member of your team fully grasped your organization’s mission? How can you achieve this clarity of purpose? Submarine commander David Marquet understood the power that clarity of purpose wields. This is especially true in a leader-leader model, when each team member is empowered to make decisions. To achieve clarity with his crew, he employed several mechanisms to ensure clarity of purpose so that the decisions they made aligned with what the whole team was trying to accomplish. Read more to learn how to achieve clarity of purpose.

How to Create a Sense of Ownership in Your Team

Do your team members enjoy a sense of ownership in the work they do? How can leaders create this? What difference does it make? Submarine captain L. David Marquet explains how organizations undermine ownership. He also provides insights into how leaders can create a sense of ownership by eliminating top-down monitoring of work. Read more to learn how to create a sense of ownership and understand the difference it can make in your organization.

How to Be an Artist: 4 Steps to Creative Success

Do you want to know how to be an artist? How can you let go of self-doubt to achieve your creative ambitions? In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield writes about the common obstacles artists face when trying to achieve their creative dreams. Self-doubt and fear often get in the way, but it’s important to overcome these hurdles and focus on your true calling. If you want to know how to be an artist, you need to know what is holding you back. Keep reading to find out how to be an artist.

Simon Sinek: Is Your Business Mindset Finite or Infinite?

Why is mindset important in business? How would you describe your mindset when it comes to doing business? According to Simon Sinek, the author of The Infinite Game, those who survive in business do so because they adopt the mindset that business is an infinite game—a constantly evolving and never-ending game with a higher purpose. Those who don’t survive are the ones who have a finite mindset—they see business as a finite game, filled with short-term concerns and aimed at a win-or-lose ending point. Keep reading to learn about the two types of business mindset, according to motivational speaker and