Shortform Books

Sexual Monogamy: Why Do We Value It So Much?

What is monogamy and why do we value it? Are humans naturally monogamous? Where does our obsession with sexual monogamy stem from? According to couples therapist Esther Perel, our values for sexual monogamy were instilled in childhood. As babies, our parents were utterly devoted to us, and monogamy is our way of recreating this connection. People who didn’t have a connection like this with their mothers as children often want this connection even more than those who did experience it. In this article, we’ll discuss how our views on monogamy changed throughout history, and why we value it so much.

Asymmetric Information in Economics: Explained

What do economists mean when they talk about “asymmetric information”? What role does the asymmetricity of information about products/services play in the functioning of an economy? In economics, asymmetric information refers to the situation where one party has more information about the product/service than the other. Information, and who has access to it, have an outsized influence on how smoothly an economy runs. A free flow of information allows for easy and smart transactions. In this article, we’ll explain asymmetric information and discuss its implications for individuals, firms, and economic policy.

Leadership Legacy: A Lesson from the Navy

What difference did Captain David Marquet make during his time with the USS Santa Fe? What can we learn from his leadership legacy? David Marquet revolutionized naval leadership when he commanded Santa Fe. He departed from the traditional model in several ways, most notably by assuming that everyone can be a leader. He built a powerful leadership legacy that can instruct and inspire all of us. Read more to learn about the leadership legacy of Captain Marquet.

How to Improve Morale: Tips From a Navy Captain

Do you need to improve morale at your workplace? What leadership model could make this happen? When Captain L. David Marquet took command of USS Santa Fe in 1999, the need to improve morale was palpable. He accomplished this feat within a year by deploying the leader-leader model to empower the demoralized crew. Read more to learn how to improve morale with the leader-leader model.

Simon Sinek on Ethical Fading in the Workplace

What is ethical fading? What are the main factors that cause employees to behave unethically? Ethical fading is when people engage in increasingly unethical behavior while convincing themselves that they are acting fairly and properly. According to Simon Sinek, ethical fading happens for three reasons: 1) poorly designed incentives, 2) rationalization and 3) reliance on rigid and impersonal structures in place of enlightened leadership. We explore each of these below.

The Best Negotiation Questions in an Interrogation

What questions should you ask in a negotiation to get the information you need from your counterpart? Should you ask “why” questions? According to Chriss Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, the best questions to ask your counterpart during negotiation are open-ended “how” or “what” questions. Unlike the accusatory “why” questions, these questions lead them along to the conclusion that you want them to reach—all the while convincing them that your desired solution is their idea. Keep reading to learn about the power of open-ended negotiation questions, why they work, and how to use them to your advantage.

Steven Pressfield: Resistance Is the Enemy of Creativity

What is Steven Pressfield’s idea of resistance? How does resistance hold back creative people from achieving their ambitions? According to Steven Pressfield, resistance is the reason many people don’t achieve their dreams. Resistance is anything that stops you from taking creative action, including inner fears, procrastination, and self-doubt. In The War of Art, Pressfield explores the idea of resistance and tells you how to overcome it. Find out more about Steven Pressfield’s resistance concept below.

The 5 Major Characteristics of a Great Leader

What are the characteristics of a great leader? What makes a person fail as a leader? The characteristics of a great leader are courage, fairness, self-control, charisma, and empathy. On the other hand, a bad leader will be self-centered, disloyal, unimaginative, and authoritarian. To be successful in leadership, you must adopt the qualities of a good leader. Read on to discover more about the characteristics of a great leader.

The Mastermind Group: What It Is & How to Create One

The Mastermind Group: What Is It, and Why Create It?

What is the mastermind group in Think and Grow Rich? How can you create your own group? The mastermind group describes a team of experts who have the specialized knowledge you need to achieve your goal. You can create your group by making a list of people who have the necessary knowledge and experience to help you carry out your plans. These people must be accessible to you. Read on to discover why the mastermind group of titans of industry like Henry Ford were so crucial in their success.

Gary W. Keller’s Formula for Success: The One Thing

How did Gary W. Keller get Keller Wililams back on track after it faltered? How can you apply his approach to your own life and work? Gary W. Keller, the founder of the world’s largest real estate company Keller Williams, argues that the key to extraordinary success is focusing daily on the “One Thing” that’s most important for achieving your goal, rather than scattering yourself in many directions. Keller used this approach in his business when it seemed to be faltering after a successful first decade. Keep reading to learn Gary W. Keller’s formula for success.