Shortform Books

The Three Ways From The Phoenix Project—Explained

What are The Three Ways from the book The Phoenix Project? How can you make your IT development teams run more smoothly? None of the problems of IT are insurmountable, but authors Kim, Behr, and Spafford argue that addressing them requires completely rethinking how IT work is done. The Three Ways from The Phoenix Project can be summed up as fast workflow, quick feedback, and continual improvement. Continue reading for a detailed overview of The Three Ways.

Fitness Breathing: Benefits and Exercises for Athletes

Why is proper breathing important for athletes? Why should people in fitness breathe less? In the book The Oxygen Advantage, Patrick McKeown puts particular emphasis on the benefits of breathing less for athletes. He also outlines two advanced breathing exercises that athletes can use to enhance their performance. Let’s look at how fitness breathing helps athletes during their workouts and on the field.

Kindra Hall’s Stories That Stick: Book Overview

What is Kindra Hall’s Stories That Stick about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Stories That Stick, Kindra Hall discusses why stories are so powerful, explains what makes a good story, and introduces four core story models. She also includes prompts to help you build a stockpile of compelling stories. Read below for a brief overview of Stories That Stick.

A Brief History of Energy Use: From Fire to Fossil Fuels

When did we become dependent on fossil fuels? What did we use before that? Vaclav Smil explains that, for millennia, the only energy sources humans relied on (besides their own labor) were fire and animals. It wasn’t until the 1900s that we began using large amounts of coal and the mid-20th century when we began relying heavily on other fossil fuels. Continue reading for a brief history of energy use.

How to Use Feedback to Improve Performance: Tips to Excel

What would you like to get better at? Do you regularly ask for feedback? What types of feedback do you find most helpful? Workplace performance psychologist Ron Friedman wants you to find creative success. In his book Decoding Greatness, he shows how good feedback is part of the equation. He discusses what makes feedback good, how you should ask for it, and how to be receptive to it. Read on to learn how to use feedback to improve performance.

Energy Pros and Cons: Weighing Crude Oil, Electricity, & Nuclear

Why can’t we just substitute any form of energy for another? What’s the best kind of energy for transportation? What’s the downside of electricity? Vaclav Smil says that understanding energy is essential to understanding modern societies and economic systems. We rely on energy to power our world, yet it can’t be produced from scratch. In How the World Really Works, he weighs the advantages and disadvantages of three forms of energy. Keep reading to learn about several energy pros and cons that will help you understand why the world works the way it does.

How to Build Career Relationships That Support Your Goals

What kind of people can help you elevate your career? Do you deliberately develop relationships that help you reach your goals? Behavioral science expert Grace Lordan explains how you can change your life by identifying who you want to become and then making a plan to turn your ideal future self into a reality. One step is to find people who can support your career goals and actively foster relationships with them. Keep reading to learn how to build career relationships that are mutually beneficial.

Communication With Children: Using Words to Love & Discipline

Are you having trouble connecting with your child? What’s the best way to have effective communication with children? One of the most crucial parts of parenting is verbal and nonverbal communication. Every parent has to talk to their kids to show them love and to discipline them, teaching them right from wrong. Below we’ve compiled advice for effective communication with children so important things don’t get lost in translation.

The 9 Best Books on Burnout Prevention and Recovery

Are you exhausted from work? What are the best books on burnout to read? Working hard is one thing, but overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion is another. When you do the latter, you experience burnout, which is physical and emotional tiredness that can leave you feeling frustrated over your imbalanced life. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best books on burnout to keep you out of a sluggish state.

Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen: Overview

Want to learn about Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen? What does it take for a new product to be successful? Unlock the secrets to launching successful products with Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen. No more relying on luck or guesswork—Christensen reveals a powerful framework for understanding consumer demand and the way people buy products to accomplish specific tasks. Read on for an overview of Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice by Clayton Christensen.