Shortform Books

How to Encourage Employees to Speak Up at Work

Do your employees just nod and listen? How can you get employees to speak up? The Fearless Organization by Amy C. Edmondson says that leaders must create a safe space for employees to ask questions, engage in debate, and learn from one another. Building psychologically safe work cultures enables workers to tap into their creativity and innovate, which in turn improves their engagement and performance. Find out how to encourage employees to speak up below.

Why Are Care Workers Paid So Little: Society to Blame?

Why are care workers paid so little? How do cultural values contribute to underpaying care workers? Author and anthropologist David Graeber wrote Bullshit Jobs in part to explain how society undervalues care work. According to him, because care work doesn’t produce goods, society views it as less important and justifies paying care workers so little. Read on to learn more about why care workers are paid so little, according to Graeber.

Systems Awareness: Tackle Huge Issues With an Outward Focus

What is systems awareness? How can it help us solve global problems such as climate change? In his book Focus, Daniel Goleman outlines three main directions you can aim your attention: inward, toward others, and outward. He connects each direction to certain skills. He associates an outward focus with the skill of systems awareness. Keep reading to learn how tackling the biggest problems requires systems awareness and learn some concrete steps we can take to achieve it.

How to Know Your Self-Worth in Relationships

What is the role of self-worth in relationships? Why should you take care of yourself while in a relationship? Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff examines how self-compassion can improve your relationships. She says this can be done by allowing you to change your behavior so you can partner and parent more effectively. Find out how to be a better partner and parent by showing yourself some love.

Bjorn Lomborg’s False Alarm: Book Overview & Takeaways

How worried should we be about climate change? What are the most sensible approaches to tackle the problem, whatever its size? The World Health Organization considers climate change the single largest health threat to humanity. However, Bjorn Lomborg’s book False Alarm argues that, while climate change poses a significant threat, it is not a cataclysmic one. Continue reading for an overview of the book to understand this perspective on such an important matter.

How to Reduce Brain Fog and Maintain Clear Thinking

Do you struggle with brain fog? What are some things you can do to help quiet the mental noise that prevents you from thinking clearly? If you have difficulty thinking clearly, you need to eliminate the junk information that muddies your mind and reduce the noise around you. According to Ryan Holiday, the foundation of clear thinking is having a maintenance routine to keep your mind still. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can maintain mental clarity.

Can the Government Regulate Cryptocurrency?

Can the government regulate cryptocurrency? What challenges do regulators face? The cryptocurrency industry has been marked by volatility, bankruptcies, and scandals, and after the recent implosion of crypto exchange FTX, many are calling for long-overdue regulation. However, regulators are struggling to write laws as no one can agree on the fundamentals of the industry. Keep reading to learn if the government can regulate cryptocurrency and why it’s a challenge.

Aragorn’s Family Tree: Why Aragorn Is No “Mere Ranger”

Who is Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, really? What makes a mere ranger from the wilderness an heir to the throne of both Gondor and Arnor? Is Aragorn part elf? If you only watched the films, you probably know that Aragorn is a son of Arathorn, and a descendant of Isildur, making him an heir to the throne of Gondor. But that’s about it. To be fair, explaining Aragorn’s family tree would probably be too much for a film, especially for an “uninitiated audience.” We’ve done some research into Aragorn’s family tree to understand what makes a mere

The Ultimate Guide to Letting Go of Toxic People

What are the tell-tale signs of a toxic person? What should you do if you’ve become involved with someone who exhibits toxic behaviors? You’re going to encounter toxic people in your life. With some of them, you’ll even form close and intimate relationships. Sooner or later, however, their toxic traits will come up to the surface and may even negatively impact your life. Keep reading to learn about the importance of letting go of toxic people and how to recognize toxic qualities.

What Is Critical Thinking in Psychology?

What is critical thinking in psychology? What are some things you can do to improve your critical thinking skills? In psychology, critical thinking is an active process of thinking that involves understanding and applying the various levels of cognition to enhance one’s understanding. Specifically, critical thinking involves evaluating information for weaknesses, drawbacks, and inconsistencies. Below, we’ll explore what critical thinking is, what happens when it’s lacking, and why modern culture discourages it. Then, we’ll provide a few suggestions for developing your critical thinking skills.