Shortform Books

How to Work With a Yellow Personality Type

What traits would you expect from a yellow personality type? In what ways should you adapt your behavior when working with a yellow-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, Yellow types have a charismatic personality and a bright outlook. Erikson says they see life as a smorgasbord of delights and are the first to try something new. Their driving forces in life are joy and laughter. Erikson writes that Hippocrates refers to this type as “sanguine,” which means “optimist.” Here’s how to work with yellow-dominant people.

What Is the SRY Gene, and How Does It Impact Sports?

What is the SRY gene? What role does the SRY gene play in sports performance? According to David Epstein, the author of The Sports Gene, no single gene has as much of an impact on an athlete’s performance as the SRY gene found on the Y chromosome. The SRY gene also accounts for the predictable and significant differences in sports performance between men and women. Learn about the SRY gene’s function and its implications for atheltic ability.

Being Self-Reliant Is Not Necessarily a Good Thing

Are you the type of person who always tries to be the jack of all trades? Do you pride yourself on being self-reliant? Being self-reliant is generally a good trait to have but it has downsides. You will never be able to be proficient at all the things necessary to reach your goals. Be humble about this, and look toward working with good people to fill in those gaps. Here is why being self-reliant is not always a good thing.

Starting a Second Career: Advantages and Pathways

Are you entertaining the idea of starting a second career? What are the advantages of having two careers? A second career is a career you initiate around the midpoint in your working life. According to Peter Drucker, there are two key advantages of starting a second career: 1) avoiding career stagnation, and 2) having an extra opportunity for professional realization. Let’s explore Drucker’s notion of a second career, its advantages, and how to start it.

Modern Monetary Theory (MMT)— Explained

Are you looking for an explanation of modern monetary theory? What criteria must a nation satisfy to be considered a monetary sovereign? The short version of modern monetary theory is that there are some nations (like the United States) that are unconstrained in their power to spend money because their currencies satisfy certain criteria. MMT is controversial and is criticized by economists. Continue below if you want to learn more about modern monetary theory, explained with analysis.

Debunking the Top 4 Mindfulness Myths

What are the top myths surrounding mindfulness? Have you let those misconceptions hold you back from practicing mindfulness? Author Dan Harris is no stranger to the myths surrounding mindfulness and meditation. Harris was a former skeptic and critic himself. In this post, Harris, the author of 10% Happier, explores the most common mindfulness myths and debunks them. Let’s take a closer look at the four most common myths.

How to Work With a Green Personality Type

What are the traits of a Green personality type? In what ways should you adapt your behavior when working with a Green-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, the Green personality (which Hippocrates would call “phlegmatic”) is the most common. He labels Green types as the most balanced and describes them as a little bit of every color. Green personalities are even-tempered, kind, and empathetic—and they can go with the flow. Erikson says they can be perceived as shy or unsure of themselves. Keep reading for advice on how to work with a Green-dominant person.

Understanding Gender Differences in Sports

What are the reasons for the gender performance gap in athletics? Can men and women compete equally in sports? According to David Epstein, the author of The Sports Gene, gender differences in sports are a decisive testament to the power of genes in determining athletic ability. Because athletic ability is at the mercy of genetics, Epstein argues, women are unlikely to surpass men in most sports. Here’s why men and women can’t compete in sports at the same level.

Personality: The Secret Sauce of Effective Teamwork

How does personality influence teamwork? How can you make use of personality typing to build an effective team? Personality complementarity is a key aspect of effective teamwork. If you want to assemble a successful team, you should identify the personality types of the contenders and match them according to how well they work together. Here is how personality typing can make help you assemble an A-star team.

Peter Drucker: Managing Oneself—Book Overview

What’s Peter Drucker’s Managing Oneself about? What’s the key message to take away from the book? Managing Oneself discusses how to take charge of your career to maneuver yourself into your ideal job. Peter Drucker, the author of many works on management theory, outlines the most important factors that he believes will help you succeed in your career efficiently. He asks that you manage yourself and take actions now that will lead to a flourishing career in the future. Here’s our review of Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker.