Self-help is a ten-billion-dollar industry in the US alone on annual basis accounting for 2.5% of all book sales. In addition, there exist TV programmes, online products, executive, coaching, speeches, yoga and corporate training programmes. Unfortunately for a lot of the users, a lot of the information being extolled at such sessions or books is based around half-baked truth. Sometimes, even misleading information is touted out. This is why those buying self-help books are usually repeat buyers. One such myth is about consistency that is apparently to be maintained at all times, though thorough research actually confirms that variability in performance will always be there. A second such myth is the requirement for benchmarking against others. This is not the right approach as instead measuring against one’s own previous performance is a far better yardstick. Another belief is that successful people need to abide by a particular style and strategy, though in reality one needs to divide the risks by incorporating a variety of skills. These self-help books also claim that successful people chase challenging targets. This is untrue as a lot of time gets needlessly wasted by trying to perfect something out of one’s reach. Instead one needs to focus on areas of existing competence.

Source:https://hbr.org/2018/02/4-self-improvement-myths-that-may-be-holding-you-back

Uploaded Date:08 February 2018

Twelve books have been identified which must be read in the year 2018, as they will create maximum impact on any professional. The first one such is Brave Leadership by Kimberley Davis as it talks about authentic leadership and how to achieve that. The next is The Choice which is not penned by any single author but indeed collectively by the Arbinger Institute. The CoachingHabit by Michael Bungay Stanier speaks about the power of executive coaching as a method of management training. The next few are The Expert Secrets, The Greatest Gift, The Performance Habits and The Happiness Equation writtenrespectively by Russel Branson, Victor Antonio, Brendon Burchard and Neil Pasricha. TheLost Art of Closing by Anthony Iannarino is one of the art of forging relationships and closing business deals.  An excellent book on those desirous of improving their talent management abilities is Jeff Haden’s The Motivation Myth. To close off this list are Kim Scott’s Radical Candor, Will Power Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy and Triggers co-written by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter.

Source:https://flipboard.com/@flipboard/-the-12-most-impactful-books-to-read-in-/f-08c82e478f%2Finc.com

Uploaded Date:06 February 2018

Arianna Huffington has revolutionized online journalism, written several books and once even ran for the Governor’s position in her home state of California. Yet now she is focused on another disruption which is sleep. She feels that the amount and quality of sleep each night is directly responsible for the productivity not just for a day but for years at a stretch. One can solve several lifestyle related problems by rectifying this as highlighted in her new book The Sleep Revolution. Facebook and McKinsey have both included sleep patterns as part of their corporate training programmes. Aetna has gone one step ahead providing employees with a Fit-bit to track sleep patterns. Those completing 7 hours’ sleep per night are being doled out modest bonuses. The Duke University has concluded from a study that sound sleep leads to a sixty-two minute a week improvement in productivity and seven percent lower costs in healthcare. Arianna Huffington also says that the challenges have multiplied since she began Huffington post from a small apartment room. Now fewer people are directly visiting such news sites but are being redirected from social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The importance of digital marketing has thus increased tremendously.

Source:https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/arianna-huffingtons-next-disruption-your-sleep-patterns

Uploaded Date:09 January 2018

In today’s world social networking is often considered the passport to reach the topic. And while many aggressively pursue the same, there are also those who still shun such perceived artificiality. Research has divided professionals into three categories in terms of their networking capabilities and the ways they approach the same. These people are the- Players, Moderates and Purists. Players are the ones, who most aggressively seek to forge such links. They are active at seminars, team dinners, talks and management training sessions especially with seniors around. However, players have developed a reputation for being Machiavellian in character, so they need to be extra careful. Moderates are those who pursue relationships but only when in direct contact through joint work with seniors or ongoing tasks. Moderates’ contacts over a period of time tend to shrink as they are not as proactive as the players. Purists on the other hand, view such networking as artificial and frivolous. They do not want empty chatter to come in between their pursuit at excellence. They take pride in possessing expertise on any topic rather than connections, which they feel ought to be built naturally through client relations. As they are not the best at interacting with peers, there is the fear of them drifting away from the centre. True leaders’ talent management skills will come to the fore in how they manage to let purists’ work speak for themselves.

Source:https://knowledge.insead.edu/leadership-organisations/how-to-get-ahead-when-you-hate-networking-5020

Uploaded Date:30 November 2017