May 2019 Bookshelf
Books 09 May 2019
Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
Safi Bahcall
The advent of compulsory education was a transformational moment in American culture. The whole of society agreed our children deserved and needed a defined period of their lives where educational growth and development was their number one “duty” as citizens. As we seek a new transformational shift—one that serves young people in ways fit for a fast-changing economy—it makes us wonder why we were so ready for change 100+ years ago but are so resistant today. Safi Bahcall, author of Loonshots, explores this paradox and “reveals a surprising new way of thinking about the mysteries of group behavior that challenges everything we thought we knew about nurturing radical breakthroughs.”
The Passion Paradox: A Guide to Going All In, Finding Success, and Discovering the Benefits of an Unbalanced Life
Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
Finding your passion in life is an exciting discovery. The journey itself seems so romantic that it feels like nothing can go wrong as long as you’re in pursuit of what you love. However, as Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, authors of The Passion Paradox, are quick to ask: What if you never actually discover what your passion is? Or, what if your passion destroys your spirit? As you flip through this research-backed book, explore the nuances of pursuing your passion and how you can ensure it serves you, rather than you serving it.
Words That Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence
Shelle Rose Charvet
There’s a welcomed comfort conversing with a counterpart who sees the world through a similar lens as you. Of course, if you want to make change happen on a larger scale, you eventually have to engage with people who are skeptical of your ideas. In Words That Change Minds by Shelle Rose Charvet, you will find yourself building communication skills for those less agreeable conversations. Charvet is not interested in selling to or manipulating your audience. Rather, she wants to show you how to use language that meets everyone where they are, so a fruitful conversation can be had and minds can be changed.
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
Austin Kleon
We all have those days when the morning alarm sounds and we wish we could sleep for 10 more hours. We’ll be ready to change the world tomorrow, but today, can we just hide? Austin Kleon, author of Keep Going, knows this feeling all too well. He also knows if we get into the habit of not showing up, we’ll continue claiming “tomorrow we’ll make things happen.” Kleon has 10 simple, yet highly effective, tips to ensure you “leave things better than you found them” every day.
Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights
Steve Portigal
When you think of interviews, you likely think of journalists and job searches. It’s a formal practice where one person is gathering information and the other is divulging it. If you aren’t a journalist or looking for a new hire, the idea of interviewing someone likely doesn’t cross your mind too often. Steve Portigal, author of Interviewing Users, wants to shift your thinking and show the value of interviewing the people you are serving. We are all being of service to someone, whether it’s young learners, clients and customers, or our families. What skills would we benefit from cultivating to ensure our service matches our users needs?
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