Rory Sutherland’s Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science

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How effectively does science predict human behavior? Does reason or irrationality account for the decisions people make? What’s the true secret of persuasion? Rory Sutherland’s Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life argues that contemporary economic and political theories are flawed. They hinge on reason as a predictor of human behavior, so any attempts to persuade people using reason are doomed to fail. Continue reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book that could cause you to change the way you and your business operate.

How Did Boeing’s Safety Issues Get So Bad?

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What led to the Boeing Max 9’s emergency landing? What efforts are underway to prevent any recurrence? What does the incident mean for Boeing’s future? Investigations continue after an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 was forced to make an emergency landing when part of the aircraft’s fuselage blew off. This latest safety issue could cause further reputational damage to Boeing, already burdened by past financial settlements and a drop in stock prices. Continue reading to learn about the past of Boeing’s safety issues, and their next steps.

How to Get the Best Out of Your Team: 2 Tips From John C. Maxwell

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Do your team members feel like you understand and care about where they’re coming from? Are they comfortable sharing their own ideas, or do they feel pressure to conform? In Leadershift, John C. Maxwell discusses simple but significant management changes you can make to help your team operate at its highest level. Maxwell writes that leaders must: 1) understand instead of command, and 2) encourage diversity instead of uniformity. Read more to learn how to get the best out of your team by putting Maxwell’s principles to work.

The Power of the Placebo Effect: How to Use It Like Magic

A brain dressed as a magician holding a wand

How does the placebo effect work? Are placebos limited to pharmaceuticals? How susceptible are you to them? The placebo effect is a common phenomenon in which the mind and body behave counter to reason. Rory Sutherland says you can use it in life and work. He looks at how the placebo effect works, the characteristics of effective placebos, and how the effect manifests in areas of life beyond medicine. Read more to learn about the power of the placebo effect and how to use it to an advantage.

Christianity in the 21st Century: A Gender-Based Critique

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What impact did the 9/11 attacks have on Christianity in America? Why did many Christians support the election of Donald Trump? In the 1990s, American evangelical Christianity shifted toward a less militant concept of masculinity. But, this was short-lived. Kristin Du Mez claims that 9/11 caused an immediate return to the militaristic masculinity of decades past, ultimately culminating in the 2016 election of Donald Trump. Read more for Du Mez’s perspective of American evangelical Christianity in the 21st century.

Gallup’s 2023 Employee Engagement Report Is Concerning

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What does Gallup’s employee engagement report mean for employers? How can employees overcome obstacles to engagement? According to Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace report, the average global employee engagement score is 23%. Employee engagement is crucial because it translates to productivity, synergy, and creativity, which in turn lead to an organization’s success. Here’s why employees are disengaged and what it means for companies.

Sonja Lyubomirsky Quotes With Context (The How of Happiness)

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How much do our circumstances influence our happiness? How is happiness like a muscle? How important are gratitude and forgiveness? Psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky says that happiness is more than just a positive state of mind. It’s a state of being that enhances your health, strengthens your relationships, and fuels both your creativity and productivity. Keep reading for several Sonja Lyubomirsky quotes from The How of Happiness.

Dr. Amen: Anxiety Remedies That Can Heal Your Brain

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Are you anxious when the situation doesn’t call for it? Do you always expect the worst to happen? Is your stress level high? According to Dr. Amen, anxiety doesn’t have to be part of your life. In his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, he shares several recommendations. Some of these require professional intervention, but you can do a few on your own. Read more to learn how to heal the parts of your brain that generate anxiety.