The World's Best Book Summaries
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is cognitive defusion? How can practicing defusion help you deal with negative thoughts more productively? In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, cognitive defusion means separating yourself from your internal mental chatter. Rather than taking your thinking self’s stories as the absolute truth, through defusion, you can harness the power of the observing self to take a step back from those stories and recognize them for what they are: only words and images. Keep reading to learn about the ACT concept of cognitive defusion and some techniques you can use to defuse yourself from negative thoughts.
How is pricing determined in the blue ocean strategy? What are the benefits of low-cost pricing? Blue Ocean Strategy authors W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne advise setting your price to maximize the number of buyers in your market. In other words, you want to select a price that will make your product attractive to as many potential customers as possible. Keep reading to learn about the blue ocean strategy pricing approach.
What does it mean to have a personal relationship with God? What is the role of obedience in this relationship? Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that a personal relationship with God is how discipleship works—and that obedience is at the center. A true disciple seeks to obey Jesus. Keep reading to learn about obedience within a personal relationship with God.