Shortform Books

How to Identify and Leverage Persuasion Styles & Requirements

What does it take to convince you of something? How in touch are you with what it takes to persuade the people around you? Influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet contends that everyone has a persuasion style. She identifies four persuasion styles and provides advice on how you can detect a person’s style and communicate with them in a way that hits the mark. She also addresses the amount of evidence people require. Read more to understand Charvet’s arguments and to get some analysis on both persuasion styles and requirements.

Was Ulysses S. Grant an Alcoholic? Unveiling the Addiction

Was Ulysses S. Grant an alcoholic? How did Grant overcome his trouble with alcohol use? Many historical accounts suggest Grant drank recklessly and was controlled by intemperate desires during his military career and presidency. But, according to Grant by Ron Chernow, Grant fought valiantly against his tendency toward unhealthy alcohol use and attained victory over this tendency in his final years. Let’s examine Chernow’s account of Grant’s alcohol use.

How Discipline in Management Resuscitates Businesses

Why is discipline in management important? Can discipline save a business in decline? In How the Mighty Fall, Jim Collins has a few suggestions to help a floundering company thrive and succeed. One of his prescriptions is to uphold disciplined management practices so you can evaluate big business decisions with a clear head. Continue reading for more on why discipline in management can be a lifesaver for businesses.

Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

How well does your team function? Is it hitting on all cylinders, or does it need a tuneup (or even an overhaul)? “Teamwork” is one of the most common buzzwords in the modern business world. But, what does it actually mean, and how do you foster it? In Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni answers those questions and teaches you how to turn a group of individuals into a true team. Continue reading for an overview of this book that every manager should read.

The Benefits of Index Funds: Peter Lynch on Passive Investing

What’s “passive investing”? Do you want to make money in the stock market without managing a portfolio or paying someone else to do it? In Beating the Street, famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch says anyone can succeed in the stock market if they make the right choices and put in the hard work. But, he also offers an option for people who’d rather stay away from active portfolio management. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of index funds.

Persuasive Language Techniques for Managers & All Influencers

Would you like to be more effective at convincing people to believe or do certain things? Are you a leader who struggles to get your team members on board? In Words That Change Minds, communication and influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet identifies eight Productivity Patterns. She says that these patterns explain how an individual does their best work after they’ve decided to solve a problem. Keep reading to learn several persuasive language techniques that take these Productivity Patterns into account.

Why Love Is Important in Relationships, Society, & for Yourself

Can love really change the world? Why is love important in all aspects of life? Love is a powerful emotion that builds bonds and encourages positivity. This warm feeling extends beyond the romantic type of love, as it serves a purpose for families, society, and your own self-image. If you want to know why love is important in the world, continue reading.

Jim Collins: The Flywheel Is the Core of Businesses

What’s a company’s “flywheel,” according to Jim Collins? Why’s it important to keep your focus on said flywheel? According to How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins, flywheel means the small wins that gain momentum for your business. If you take your mind off the flywheel for even just a moment, it could have dire consequences. Check out why the flywheel is the foundation of a business strategy.

How to Overcome a Lack of Commitment in a Team (Dysfunction #3)

Is your team unified? What role does communication play in getting people to buy into team decisions? In his business fable The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni identifies a lack of commitment as the third dysfunction. In his follow-up book, Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, he shares ways you can break through this challenge. Read more to learn Lencioni’s advice for getting each member of your team wholeheartedly on the same page.

How to Select Stocks for Long-Term Investment (Peter Lynch)

What should you consider when selecting stocks to invest in? How can you keep each investment from being a shot in the dark? Famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch lauds the advantages of stocks over bonds. In his book Beating the Street, he shares suggestions for constructing a successful stock portfolio that’s more likely to perform well over the long haul. Continue reading for Lynch’s advice on how to select stocks for long-term investment.