Shortform Books

The Top 5 Bad Leadership Qualities: Avoid Doing These Things

What are bad leadership qualities that can ruin your business? What is the common theme in these toxic behaviors that destroy a leader’s potential? Bill George’s book Discover Your True North claims it’s important that you identify your core purpose and ethics to become an effective and resilient leader. To illustrate the importance of having these guiding principles, George identifies the five qualities that commonly cause leaders to stray from their core purpose and ethics. Keep reading to learn why these bad leadership qualities are a leader’s worst nightmare.

What Philip Arthur Fisher Taught Warren Buffett About Investing

Beyond its financial statements, what indicates a company’s health? How can you evaluate the subjective qualities of a company? If you learn investing from Warren Buffett, you indirectly learn a vital principle from Philip Arthur Fisher. Fisher taught that, when you consider whether to invest in a company, you must look beyond its quantitative factors; you must also assess its qualitative factors such as its potential and management. Keep reading to discover what Warren Buffett learned from Philip Arthur Fisher.

How to Control Costs as You Grow: Advice From an Economist

What causes runaway costs? How can you keep your costs from spiraling out of control as your business scales? Managing costs is vital as your organization grows. When scaling up, you can take certain precautions to stay on top of overhead costs and per-unit expenses and keep them at a level that allows for sustained profitability. Continue reading for tips from economist and professor John A. List on how to control costs over time.

Can Election Reform Be a Pathway Out of Political Polarization?

Is there a connection between political polarization and the way America elects its officials? If so, what should be done about it? Progressive journalist, political commentator, and podcaster Ezra Klein says that, if done right, election reform can break up the push toward growing polarization. He proposes the replacement of the Electoral College by a direct popular vote for the presidency as well as the creation of multi-member districts. Keep reading to understand both of these proposals and what Klein hopes they’ll accomplish.

Your Path to Success Might Not Be the Traditional One

Is a low-risk path the right one for you? Would you take more risk if you had less to lose? Many people follow the traditional path to success—slowly ascending from one secure job to a slightly better-paying one. However, as recorded in Tribe of Mentors, some of Tim Ferriss’s experts note that constricting yourself to this path might keep you from building a career you’re passionate about. Continue reading for some advice that can help you figure out your path to success.

Follow Your Own Path: Tips From Larry King & Warren Buffett

Is it a good idea to try to copy someone else’s journey to success? What can you do that will leverage your particular strengths, skills, and circumstances? Alex Banayan interviewed several highly-successful people to learn how they made it to the top. One lesson that he repeatedly came across was that, even if you copy everything someone else has done, you can’t expect to replicate their success. Continue reading to learn why you should follow your own path and get advice on how to do it.

The First Party System: Federalism vs. Republicanism

How Exclusionary Zoning Perpetuated Racial Inequality

What was the first party system in the US like? What did each party advocate for? According to Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, the politician of the same name played an important role in the forming of the first American political parties. These parties are known as the Federalist and Republican parties. Discover more about the first party system and their beliefs.

The 4 Stages of Product Development: An Idea Comes to Life

Do you want to stand out against competitors in the market? How much customer feedback is enough to test your product? The product development process can be a rough journey. It’s not as simple as coming up with a brilliant idea and selling it immediately. To take action, you need to follow four steps that include every detail that goes into creating a product that will sell. Let’s look at the four stages of product development that can set up your product for success.

Why Do We Get Distracted? The Mind’s Vulnerability

Why do we get distracted so easily? What are the limitations of cognitive control? In The Distracted Mind, Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen define the distracted mind as an ingrained vulnerability to distractions and interruptions. They then discuss how this vulnerability arose because our higher-level goals outstripped our cognitive control. Here’s why the brain can become an easy victim to distractions.

6 Blue Mind Quotes From Wallace J. Nichols (With Context)

Why do you feel so serene sitting on the beach, looking out at the ocean? Why does the mere sound of waves calm you down? This is the Blue Mind experience. In the book Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols argues that water has a profound impact on our well-being and health because it induces a calming, meditative state. Read on for six Blue Mind quotes that will help you appreciate this fascinating book.