Shortform Books

How to Use Feedback to Improve Performance: Tips to Excel

What would you like to get better at? Do you regularly ask for feedback? What types of feedback do you find most helpful? Workplace performance psychologist Ron Friedman wants you to find creative success. In his book Decoding Greatness, he shows how good feedback is part of the equation. He discusses what makes feedback good, how you should ask for it, and how to be receptive to it. Read on to learn how to use feedback to improve performance.

Energy Pros and Cons: Weighing Crude Oil, Electricity, & Nuclear

Why can’t we just substitute any form of energy for another? What’s the best kind of energy for transportation? What’s the downside of electricity? Vaclav Smil says that understanding energy is essential to understanding modern societies and economic systems. We rely on energy to power our world, yet it can’t be produced from scratch. In How the World Really Works, he weighs the advantages and disadvantages of three forms of energy. Keep reading to learn about several energy pros and cons that will help you understand why the world works the way it does.

How to Build Career Relationships That Support Your Goals

What kind of people can help you elevate your career? Do you deliberately develop relationships that help you reach your goals? Behavioral science expert Grace Lordan explains how you can change your life by identifying who you want to become and then making a plan to turn your ideal future self into a reality. One step is to find people who can support your career goals and actively foster relationships with them. Keep reading to learn how to build career relationships that are mutually beneficial.

Communication With Children: Using Words to Love & Discipline

Are you having trouble connecting with your child? What’s the best way to have effective communication with children? One of the most crucial parts of parenting is verbal and nonverbal communication. Every parent has to talk to their kids to show them love and to discipline them, teaching them right from wrong. Below we’ve compiled advice for effective communication with children so important things don’t get lost in translation.

The 9 Best Books on Burnout Prevention and Recovery

Are you exhausted from work? What are the best books on burnout to read? Working hard is one thing, but overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion is another. When you do the latter, you experience burnout, which is physical and emotional tiredness that can leave you feeling frustrated over your imbalanced life. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best books on burnout to keep you out of a sluggish state.

Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen: Overview

Want to learn about Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen? What does it take for a new product to be successful? Unlock the secrets to launching successful products with Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen. No more relying on luck or guesswork—Christensen reveals a powerful framework for understanding consumer demand and the way people buy products to accomplish specific tasks. Read on for an overview of Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice by Clayton Christensen.

Why Is Storytelling Important in Business? 3 Reasons

Why is storytelling important in business? How do stories allow you to build connections? Stories have a massive role to play in business. They can convince customers to buy your product because of the connection you’ve built with them, and there’s even scientific proof that they increase empathy in listeners. Let’s dive into the importance of stories in a business setting, according to Kindra Hall’s book Stories That Stick.

Why Is It Important to Listen? 3 Benefits of Effective Listening

Do you listen as well as you think you do? Why is it important to listen? What might you be missing out on? Listening is far more than just hearing what people say. Effective listening creates meaningful connections between you and others, fosters learning and growth, and enables cooperation. In other words, listening well simply makes life better. Keep reading to learn why it is important to listen.

A Breakdown of Doblin’s 10 Types of Innovation

What are the Doblin Innovation Firm’s 10 types of innovation? How do disruptive innovations fit into these categories? A disruptive innovation is a product or service that is either entirely unprecedented or so vastly different from earlier versions that it has to be used differently. Larry Keeley, the cofounder of the Doblin Innovation Firm, categorizes disruptive innovations into 10 categories. Continue reading to learn more about Doblin’s 10 types of innovation.

The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan & Barbara Pease

Want to know more about The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease? Why is understanding body language so important? In The Definitive Book of Body Language, Allan and Barbara Pease explain what lies behind the unspoken messages we convey through our body language. The book delves into the profound impact of body language on our interactions, emotions, and overall relationships with others. Read on for a brief overview of The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease.