Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

5 Quotes From The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman

What are some of the best quotes from The World Is Flat? What captures the essence of the book? Thomas L. Friedman’s The World Is Flat examines the causes, effects, and potential future of a globalized world. By understanding how the world is changing, countries, communities, and individuals can better position themselves to thrive in the 21st century. Continue reading for some hand-picked quotes from The World Is Flat to help you get the gist of the book.

Love Language Communication in Non-Romantic Relationships

Do the five love languages work the same in platonic relationships? How can you identify what people’s love languages are? You’ve probably heard of the five love languages, but you might not have considered using them outside of the context of a romantic relationship. In fact, you can deepen all of your relationships by illuminating and interacting with people using their preferred forms of communication. Keep reading for a discussion of love language communication outside of romantic relationships.

The Importance of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in Globalization

How did globalization come about? What role did the fall of the Berlin Wall play in this seismic shift? In the 21st Century, we live in a globalized world. While the groundwork was laid for centuries, the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was a catalyst. Thomas L. Friedman discusses this shift in The World Is Flat, and Milton Friedman predicted elements of this change decades earlier. Continue reading to learn the importance of the fall of the Berlin Wall in the context of globalization.

Resource Theory: Identify & Cater to What People Value Most

What’s resource theory? How can you leverage it to deepen relationships? In Captivate, Vanessa Van Edwards provides strategies to help you become a social superstar. She explains how you can apply Uriel G. Foa’s resource theory to understand people better, communicate with them effectively, bring out the best in them, and ultimately connect with them on a deeper level. Read more to learn how to identify what people value most in life and then use that information to strengthen your relationships.

The 3 Future Work Skills You Need to Thrive in the 21st Century

What skills do you bring to the table? How can you compete in this economy—and in the economy of the future? The world is changing fast. Thomas L. Friedman, in his book The World Is Flat, explains that the increasingly globalized nature of the world requires workers to have three skills to keep up: cooperation, integration, and versatility. Continue reading for a discussion of these future work skills and an exercise that will help you consider your career in the globalized world.

Confidence in Public Speaking: Beat Anxiety & Speak Boldly

Why is public speaking so scary? What could you accomplish if you overcame that fear? Public speaking anxiety is legendary. But, public speaking is extraordinarily powerful—both for the audience and the speaker. The audience gains knowledge and gets inspired. The speaker gets their message across, spreads their influence, and develops skills for success. Keep reading to learn about the power of public speaking and several misconceptions and truths that surround it. We’ll also share practical tips on how to gain confidence in public speaking by attacking the speech and attacking your fear.

How to Read Someone’s Personality & Play to Their Key Traits

How can you show support to a person who’s neurotic? How can you effectively work alongside someone who isn’t very open? Vanessa Van Edwards aims to help you connect more comfortably with others and build deeper relationships. In this context, she examines how to identify and cater to people’s personality traits so you can communicate with them as effectively as possible. Continue reading to learn how to read someone’s personality and use that knowledge to navigate your relationship.

Infrastructure in America: How We Can Thrive Amid Globalization

Does the infrastructure in America allow us to compete in the world? What, if anything, needs to change? Thomas L. Friedman argues that developing the infrastructure to connect and innovate in a globalized world is vital for America. He identifies two key areas in which the U.S. needs to build and maintain a strong infrastructure: internet technology and services, and scientific research and development. Read more to learn Friedman’s argument.

Shortform Reads: Between High Literature & Airport Bookstore

What’s the best thing about an old-fashioned British detective story? What does a book about Buddhist emptiness have in common with a book about computer science? Daniel could tell you. Based in Burma, he’s a computer programmer at Shortform. We interviewed him recently to learn a bit about his relationship with books.

How to Read Faces to Build Deeper Connections

Is it possible to accurately read someone’s facial expressions? What can be learned? When should you try to do this? In Captivate, Vanessa Van Edwards discusses Paul Ekman’s concept of universal facial expressions in the context of building deeper relationships. We’ll see how she recommends using the technique and what Ekman has to say about its abuse. We’ll also discuss a study that challenges the theory. Keep reading for a discussion on how to read faces and what you can learn from doing so.