Shortform Books

Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella: 5 Themes of Transformation

How did Microsoft come back to life after it was in decline? What leadership principles from the story can you apply in your own business? When Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was in decline. Once the wealthiest corporation in the world, it found itself lagging behind other tech giants like Apple and Google. Hit Refresh describes how Nadella brought new life to Microsoft by rediscovering its “soul.” Here’s an overview of Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella.

How to Stop Being a Perfectionist (+ Why It’s Dangerous)

Are you a perfectionist? What are the dangers of striving for perfection in everything you do? In the absolute sense, perfection is impossible to achieve. Therefore, striving for the abstract ideal of perfection is unhealthy as it can lead to negative outcomes such as procrastination, toxic comparisons, and burnout. Here’s how to stop being a perfectionist, according to Greg McKeown.

How Does Global Warming Affect the Weather?

How does global warming affect the weather? What is the relationship between climate change and extreme weather events? As global temperatures escalate, extreme weather fluctuations become more frequent. In some parts of the world, drastic weather events due to global warming are already wreaking havoc on people’s livelihoods. Here’s how global warming affects global weather patterns.

International Business Partnerships: Why They’re Critical

Do you have any business partnerships abroad? Why might you need them? In Hit Refresh, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discusses the importance of international business partnerships. Drawing on his own experience, he shares two ways you can benefit from such ventures. Continue reading to learn the advantages of global partnerships.

Martin Luther and the Reformation: Max Weber Tells the Story

How did the Protestant Reformation get going in earnest? What revolutionary ideas did Martin Luther introduce? In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber discusses the doctrinal developments introduced by Martin Luther and others that, according to Weber, produced the Protestant ethic. These doctrines caused people to live more systematically, ascetically, and rationally than ever before. Continue reading for Weber’s account of Martin Luther and the Reformation.

How to Have a Productive Disagreement

What is productive disagreement? How do you disagree with someone in a respectful and non-combative way? Disagreeing productively means that you and the other person have a natural give and take and maintain an openness to working together. When you think of disagreement in this way, you can approach it as a fluid exchange of ideas—a generative and creative interaction rather than a combative argument. Here’s how to have a productive disagreement, according to Adam Grant.

Why Stoics Say to Challenge Your Assumptions

Do you realize how often you make assumptions? How often do you question their validity? The Stoic philosophers were big on reason. They identified assumptions as tools people use to bypass reason. So, they would encourage you to challenge your assumptions if you want to see things as they truly are. Read more to understand the importance of being aware of—and questioning—your assumptions.

Why Knowledge Is Important: Reach Your Fullest Potential

Why is knowledge important? Why should you expand your base of knowledge? According to Francesca Gino in her book Rebel Talent, rebels walk into every experience with the goal of learning something from it. They also build on their existing knowledge base, which allows them to realize their greatest potential. Here’s why knowledge is important in your life.

How to Avoid Burnout and Stay Productive

Do you find it difficult to relax? Do you often sacrifice rest to get more done in a day? Society teaches us that we need to be purposeful and productive at all times, so taking time for rest feels unimportant and can even cause guilt and anxiety. As a result, many people don’t know how to take a break at all, working themselves to the point of burnout. Here’s how to avoid burnout and still stay productive, according to Greg McKeown.

Why Is Reusing Important? It Actually Isn’t, Say Experts

Why do people say reusing is important? Does reusing products help or harm the environment? With the big push to reduce, reuse, and recycle these days, people commonly wonder why reusing is important. Some experts claim that encouraging people to reuse items can result in more items in circulation, not fewer. Read on to learn why these experts say that reusing isn’t as important as you may believe.