The World's Best Book Summaries
What’s the negative impact of change in an organization? What happens when leaders make rash, emotional decisions? Sometimes, change can be great for an organization. Other times though, abrupt change could be a sign of leaders desperately trying to save a failing business. Let’s look at the negative impact of change in an organization, including bringing new people in and implementing new strategies.
What did Ulysses S. Grant do during the Reconstruction Era? How did he try to reconcile the North and the South of the United States? In Grant, Ron Chernow argues that Grant’s presidency was marked by attempts at international and domestic conciliation. However, these attempts weren’t always successful. Let’s look at Ulysses S. Grant’s reconstruction attempts.
Are your reading skills lacking? How can you be a better reader? Reading is an important skill that people of all ages need. Don’t worry if your literary skills aren’t up to par—we have plenty of tips that’ll help you get the most out of your reading time. Learn how to be a better reader and why picking up a book every once in a while is worth your time.
Do you prefer to own stocks in particular industries? Are you interested in funds that trade only in North American stocks? Peter Lynch advises that there are many different types of index funds that track different segments of the financial market, depending on where an investor wants to put their money. He explains market cap funds, sector-based funds, and regional funds. Keep reading to learn about these three types of index funds and see what might work best in your portfolio.
How much do people get away with on your team? Which is more effective—accountability from managers or colleagues? Patrick Lencioni addresses the issue of accountability in both of his books about team dysfunctions, identifying the avoidance of accountability as the fourth dysfunction. He says that it’s much easier to call people out on results than behaviors, but the latter is far more important. Continue reading for Lencioni’s advice on overcoming the avoidance of accountability in a team.
Where’s the growing connectedness of the world headed? Is a global Utopia in our future? Certain visionaries, social media proponents, and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs argue that making the world more connected through social media and global commerce will contribute to building a utopian future of world peace and equality. Niall Ferguson contends that this isn’t the case. Keep reading to understand Ferguson’s argument as he applies network theory to the future of our networked age.
What are the most popular schools of philosophy? Which philosophy do you want to live by? With so many ideologies that have developed throughout history, it’s hard to keep up with who believes what. To make things easier, we’ve made a comprehensive list of the top seven schools of philosophy and what their beliefs are. To get a better understanding of these seven schools of philosophy, keep reading.
What rules do you have for yourself? What expectations do you have for the people in your life? In Words That Change Minds, Shelle Rose Charvet’s Rule Structure describes the behavioral standards that someone expects themselves and others to meet. We’ll compare her Rule Structure with Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies. Continue reading for an insightful discussion about personal standards.
What were the worst of Ulysses S. Grant’s scandals? Why was Grant susceptible to corruption? Although Grant showed political poise in other areas, Grant by Ron Chernow contends that his lack of political experience was evident elsewhere. In particular, he argues that Grant’s gullible nature blinded him to corruption by those he trusted, revealing a consistent political naivety. To show as much, we’ll focus on two scandals that marred Grant’s presidency: the so-called Whiskey Ring and Indian Ring scandals.
Are you new to rental property investing? What’s the easiest way to commit to an investment? For beginners, investing in rental properties can be a huge financial decision. Many rewards come with the investment, but there are also some risks that you’ll need to consider. Below is a step-by-step guide on investing in rental properties for beginners who have little to no experience.