In his book Think Like a Rocket Scientist, rocket scientist turned-author Ozan Varol emphasizes the importance of breaking free from conventional thinking. While our past experiences and knowledge can be valuable, explains Varol, they can also limit our perspectives, causing us to mimic others or rely on outdated assumptions. Varol suggests that, rather than imitating, we […]
Words Into Works #086 | The Six Mindsets for Solving Problems Under Uncertainty
In their book, The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times, Charles R. Conn and Robert McLean delve into what sets exceptional problem solvers apart. To do that, they outline six interconnected strategies that drive the problem-solving abilities of top leaders, offering guidance for navigating uncertainty successfully. Let’s look at each in turn. The Six Mindsets […]
Words Into Works #084 | The Four Pillars of a Portfolio Life
In her book, The Portfolio Life, Christina Wallace, a professor at Harvard Business School and a serial entrepreneur, introduces a model for thriving amid the constant disruptions of the 21st century. “In the face of stagnant wages and limited upward trajectories, measuring success only by professional traction isn’t working,” writes Wallace. “So we need a […]
Words Into Works #078 | The Reinvention Roadmap
In her book Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work, bestselling author and journalist Joanne Lipman interviewed researchers, scientists, and hundreds of people who have successfully made career pivots. To her surprise, Lipman found that most career changes follow a similar pattern that can be broken down into four steps, which she calls […]
Words Into Works #076 | The Seven Principles of Fierce Conversations
In her book, Fierce Conversations, Susan Scott introduces the concept of a “fierce” conversation. Scott explains that although the word “fierce” may have negative connotations, it means having robust, intense, and powerful discussions in the context of a conversation. Scott posits the importance of authentic conversations instead of superficial ones, as unreal conversations can be costly […]