The World's Best Book Summaries
Do others look to you as an expert? Do people online tend to trust you and follow your lead? Even if you have a product rather than a personal brand, you would do well to develop an appealing public persona. Your customers might like your product just fine, but they’re more likely to stay loyal if they’re inspired by you and your expertise. Read more to learn how to develop your public persona as a trusted expert.
Are you worried that you’ll lose your job to a machine? What’s the historical precedence for this concern? Economist Robert J. Shiller points to several narratives that tap into fundamental themes that have shaped our collective understanding of past economic events. In turn, the narratives themselves come to have a profound influence on future events. One of these narratives entails machines taking over jobs. Keep reading to learn about this recurring economic narrative that provides some needed perspective.
What was Britney Spears’s conservatorship dispute? Why was the pop star placed under a conservatorship? Britney Spears’s conservatorship was an ongoing battle for the musician for 13 years. She was placed under it involuntarily by her father, who controlled every piece of Spears’s life during those years. Discover how Spears was treated during the conservatorship.
What role did religion play in Abraham Lincoln’s life? What did he believe? In And There Was Light, Jon Meacham writes about America’s 16th president. Meacham emphasizes Abraham Lincoln’s Christianity, and he frequently refers to Lincoln’s religious beliefs to explain how they helped guide Lincoln’s thoughts and actions. Keep reading for an inspiring discussion of Lincoln’s Christianity.
Why is asynchronous team communication important? How does this type of communication facilitate deeper thinking? According to Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, many organizations hurt their employees’ productivity by creating a culture in which they’re expected to constantly check their messages. They also must be aware of the discussion going on in real-time chatrooms, but in reality, this isn’t necessary. Find out why asynchronous team communication is the better alternative in workplaces.
Can aging be prevented? What cautionary measures can you take to live a long and healthy life? Scientists already have enough evidence to know there are things you can do right now to increase your chances of living a long and healthy life. In Ageless, Andrew Steele points out that we already have evidence that these measures are effective at keeping us fit and healthy as we age. Continue reading to learn how to prevent aging.
What does the term “knowledge worker” mean? What should the goal of knowledge workers be? According to Peter Drucker, knowledge workers are employees whose primary contribution comes from subject-matter expertise that isn’t shared by everyone else in an organization. Knowledge workers are now the driving force in most, if not all, businesses and organizations. Learn how to guide knowledge workers and utilize their talents.
How did Amazon survive its first major downturn? Why does Amazon value its relationship with customers so much? In Invent and Wander, Jeff Bezos looks back at Amazon 2001’s crisis when share prices dropped dramatically. Yet it was still a learning experience for Bezos, who managed to turn things around for Amazon. Discover the lessons Bezos took away from Amazon’s share price dropping in 2001.
How can you benefit from starting fresh? What opportunities come with a fresh start? Starting fresh gives you the chance to reevaluate your priorities and establish new habits and behaviors. There are many kinds of new beginnings that offer good opportunities for starting fresh, and knowing how to recognize them can help you take charge of your life. Read on to learn how to take advantage of new beginnings and start fresh in a meaningful way.
What are the consequences of infant neglect? How does a lack of physical affection impact development? Infant neglect, such as the deprivation of touch, prevents a baby from developing a healthy stress response system and can even stunt physical development. Understanding how this works gives you great insight into a baby’s needs. Learn from this case study about the importance of physical touch and care for infants.