Book Summaries - You Exec

At the age of 43, Byron Katie was paralyzed by depression, rage, and

paranoia, but that dark time gave rise to a transformative process she

calls “The Work.” The Work consists of four key questions that dissect the

things we believe and hold them up to the light of reality. Through this

course of inquiry, Katie believes that anyone can be released from the

suffering that is holding him or her captive. “People who have been

practicing inquiry for a while often say, ‘The Work is no longer something

I do. It is doing me,’” writes Stephen Mitchell in the introduction to

Katie’s book. “They describe how, without any conscious intention, the mind

notices each stressful thought and undoes it before it can cause any

suffering.”

According to old-school wisdom, the path to business success is looking out

for yourself. But what if the key to thriving in the workplace isn’t

pushing others down but building others up? Through data-based research and

a host of anecdotes, Adam Grant outlines the three different types of

people in every organization and explains why “givers,” those who

habitually lookout for the interests of others, are the key to both

individual and corporate success.

When a small boutique consulting firm gets bought out by one of its biggest

competitors, they teach the more senior consulting firm a lesson in how to

win over clients. Using “the naked service” business model, they show how

vulnerability and transparency are the keys to customer loyalty. In the

fable, the fictional character of Jack Bauer learns how to shed the three

big fears of any business, by “getting naked,” and becoming more real to

their potential clients, instilling trust that never existed in the past.

When a group of economists came up with the Efficient Market Hypothesis, to

explain how it was impossible for multi-billionaire investor Warren Buffett

to consistently outperform other investors, they didn’t count on him even

outperforming them. Debunking their theory, Buffett went on to become known

for his simplistic lifestyle, running his life like a business, and

thinking independently. Refusing to live his life caring about what others

think of him, Buffett’s life story gives us a glimpse into the mind of the

man who couldn’t win in his personal life, but who won in the financial

arena.

This book is about using obsessions to be successful. Obsessions can be

valuable when they are controlled and focused. A positive obsession can

lead to maximizing potential, and put an end to the “epidemic of average.”

Denying obsessions will result in ignoring dreams, and tolerating

mediocrity. Being obsessed is a full-time job with no weekends, no

vacations, and no breaks. The rewards, however, are limitless. Obsession is

the single common factor that all hugely successful people share. Learning

how to identify and nurture obsessions is the key to obtaining success

regardless of education, capital, and abilities.

When people come to the realization that their weaknesses can be their

biggest strengths, they realize that they can move mountains. If we’ve

learned anything from the story of David and Goliath, it’s that the

underdog can slay the giant when he identifies his opponent’s weaknesses,

and when he plays by his own rules. The very weaknesses that cause someone

to feel like they don’t fit in or that they can’t win can be the driving

force for taking their stronger opponent by surprise and winning the game.

Remember that the underdog only loses when he plays by the giant’s rules!

Have you ever had to dissect a complicated business scenario and were

confused as to where to begin, or how to analyze the problem? Game theory

is the science of predicting the outcome of a scenario or game by

understanding the rewards and risks associate with each decision. Game

theory can help anyone identify the best strategy or tactic given a goal or

aspiration. This book is not only based on extensive research, but it

includes real-life examples and case studies to prove that game theory

analysis works in different business settings. When game theory strategies

are applied to everyday business situations, obstacles and challenges can

be overcome and the end result can be a positive one. The book is filled

with questions that will get the reader to think twice before they make

their next decision, recipes to use game theory analysis in split-second

situations, and case studies that demonstrate the power of using game

theory.

Over the years business leaders from all sectors have wondered why some

products and services have become popular with consumers, while others seem

to fade along the sidelines. Three important factors play a role in whether

or not something stands the chance of "making it." They include price,

availability, and quality. But while together, and sometimes even

separately, those elements make a difference, the number one reason behind

a successful campaign is something known as "Social Transmission." Experts

agree that nothing can ever beat the tried and true success of a "word of

mouth" campaign. Also, since the introduction of social media to the mix

and the excitement of millions of people who cannot wait to "like and

share," good news travels fast. Through this book, the author shares his

extensive research on the topic and teaches the reader how to launch their

successful campaign.

A person’s brain produces four substances, or “happy chemicals,” that

dictate how experiences make that person feel. These happy chemicals –

dopamine, endorphin, oxytocin and serotonin -- create good feelings that

cause people to build neural pathways, but when they repeat those pathways

over and over the good feelings diminish. The key to sustained happiness is

learning to form new pathways that will stimulate happy chemicals and

create new good feelings.

Is your workflow overwhelming? Do you want to increase your productivity

and achieve your goals? We all struggle with being productive, but Getting

Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity presents the reader with a

simple yet detailed system for increasing productivity. Written by the

world’s leading expert in personal and professional organization, the

methods in this book are used by millions of people across the world, as

well as by companies like Microsoft and Lockheed. This system can help you

reduce stress and become better at organizing all your work, both personal

and professional, because it provides detailed instructions on how to

simplify your life, master workflow, organize tasks and maintain

perspective in your life. So if you’re tired of being overwhelmed, this

integrated system for heightened stress-free productivity can provide you

with peace of mind, while enabling you to efficiently complete your tasks.