Katie Doll, Author at Shortform Books

Understanding Users’ Needs: Make Their Lives Easier

How should technology make life easier? What do you need to do to understand users’ needs? When you’re creating any type of product dealing with technology, the first thing you need to consider is how it’ll make life easier for the user. In User Friendly, Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant explain in detail how this is made possible using user-friendly design. Continue reading to learn more about how you should create a product centered around a user’s needs.

Mania’s Surprising Role in Leadership and Innovation

How can leaders be more innovative at work? How does mania improve innovative thinking? Leadership and innovation go hand-in-hand, but an unexpected factor in this connection is mania. The mental illness promotes creative thinking, supporting new ideas, and solving complex problems that may go unnoticed. Here’s more on why A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi believes mania enhances your ability to be an innovative leader.

How to Set Realistic Expectations and Embrace Reality

Do you often get disappointed by unexpected outcomes? How do you set realistic expectations? Having high expectations can be helpful, especially if you have big goals you want to achieve. But sometimes things don’t go as planned. That’s why it’s best to have realistic expectations to not get too excited. Here’s how to set realistic expectations to keep yourself on track, according to Steve Magness’s book Do Hard Things.

The Future of Design: What’s Next for Tech?

What are the main issues with technology today? What does the future of design look like? Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant’s book User Friendly contends that technology has become inhumane and addictive. The authors provide two main recommendations to achieve a future vision of a user-friendly world: Streamline many of the gadgets in people’s lives and design technologies that adhere to users’ values. Keep reading to learn what the future of design should look like to enhance people’s lives.

How Does Mental Health Affect Work Performance?

How does mental health affect work performance? How have bad mental health treatments destroyed well-known leaders? Both good and bad mental health affect work performance. For most, it’s important to be in a healthy state of mind when working. However, some leaders actually benefit from poor mental health, especially during crisis situations. Learn why A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi says you need to check in on your mental health as a leader.

How to Be More Confident in Yourself and Your Abilities

Are you struggling to lift yourself up? How can you be more confident in yourself? In Do Hard Things, Steve Magness argues that to properly gain resilience, you must develop inner confidence. This confidence has to be based on a realistic understanding and acceptance of your abilities. Continue reading to learn how to be more confident in yourself every day.

How to Use Your Strengths: 4 Actions Leaders Should Take

Are you struggling as a business leader? How do you use your strengths to lead your team to victory? In The Way of the Seal, Mark Divine says that business leaders must adopt a SEAL mindset to navigate the challenges of the modern work world. He examines four actions you can take to identify and tap your inner strengths so you can operate at your highest level. Here’s how to use your strengths to become a powerful leader.

Untreated Mental Illness: A Leader’s Recipe for Disaster

How can an untreated mental illness impact a leader’s role? What effect does proper treatment have on your work? In A First-Rate Madness, Nassir Ghaemi argues that the manner in which you treat mental illness can affect leadership abilities. Proper treatment can enhance positive traits while improper treatment can impair crisis decision-making. Learn how crucial mental health treatment is for leaders in important positions.

The Way of the Seal by Mark Divine: Book Overview

What is The Way of the Seal by Mark Divine about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In The Way of the Seal, retired Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine discusses modern work world challenges that resemble a SEAL battlefield. He also provides strategies to identify your values, focus on your goals, embrace uncertainty, and harness your mental strengths. Read below for a brief overview of The Way of the SEAL.

How to Be Autonomous and Gain Back Control of Your Life

Have you lost control of your life? How can you become more autonomous? According to Do Hard Things by Steve Magness, true toughness means facing the reality of your autonomy. Places such as school and work restrict your autonomy by stripping away your independence, but it’s your responsibility to gain it back to become better. Keep reading to learn how to be autonomous and fight for what’s yours.