NEXT GETTOGETHER

DEC 1 - 5 p.m. CET / 11 a.m. ET

How Understanding Brain Chemistry Builds Better Teams
In this episode, we are talking to neuroscientist, keynote speaker and award-winning author of The Leading Brain, Friederike Fabritius, about how to understand and leverage brain science for better performance and productivity. We discuss about how to hack our brain chemicals to increase fun and focus at work, and even how changes to our physical and virtual work environments to build trust and better teams. Taking into account our own and others brain chemistry can help us create a workplace – and a life – that is happier, healthy and sustainable.

Learn how to communicate more effectively, and improve your work, family and social relationships. 

Prep Reading

Image of: The Leading Brain
Friederike Fabritius and Hans W. Hagemann

The Leading Brain

Live right: Sleep, exercise, eat a healthy diet and stimulate your brain to achieve “peak performance.”

TarcherPerigee
Zusammenfassung lesen
CURRENT AFFAIRS

And Related Compressed Knowledge

NEW

What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

A convergence of technologies is swiftly transforming the world. Are you ready for its perils and opportunities?

November, 25 2020 by Caryn Hunt

IN CONVERSATION

“Make Sure You Have 35 Years of Experience. And Not One Experience Repeated 35 Times.”
Ken Allen, CEO of DHL
“Make Sure You Have 35 Years of Experience. And Not One Experience Repeated 35 Times.”

Ken Allen, CEO of DHL, explains what executives will need tomorrow to be able to "deliver".

November, 18 2020 by Michael Wiederstein

COLUMN

Whaling in Nebraska
Whaling in Nebraska

Or: How large should teams, companies and governments grow in order to function efficiently?

Knowledge Containers

In our curated knowledge containers you will find up-to-date answers to the most important questions from the world of work. 

Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation

The biggest corporate challenge of our time has less to do with technology than with the right corporate culture.

Leadership
Leadership

Find out what it means to make the right decisions and lead by example in uncertain times.

New Frontiers
New Frontiers

We live in revolutionary times – at once deeply unsettling but also filled with the potential of transforming human lives for the better. This series introduces you to ten big questions that will preoccupy public…

New Work
New Work

This series offers context and applicable reading material to help companies and individuals navigate the new normal and prepare for the future in three steps: Adapt, Transform, Reinvent.

Free Resources

Compressed knowledge on current topics

MAKING SENSE OF TODAY
Image of: The Critical Few
Jon R. Katzenbach, Robert Moritz, James Thomas and Gretchen Anderson

The Critical Few

Organizational change only works when supported by a culture shift.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Zusammenfassung lesen
Image of: Microlearning Short and Sweet
Karl M. Kapp and Robyn A. Defelice

Microlearning Short and Sweet

The essential microguide to microlearning, from planning to design and evaluation.

ATD Publications
Zusammenfassung lesen
Image of: The Inside Gig
Edie Goldberg and Kelley Steven-Waiss

The Inside Gig

Understand and leverage the talent you already have within your company.

Life Tree Media
Zusammenfassung lesen
Image of: A Lot of People Are Saying
Nancy Rosenblum

A Lot of People Are Saying

A disconcerting view of what happens when politics become detached from reality.

Princeton University Press
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Image of: Editing Humanity
Kevin Davies

Editing Humanity

Editing genomes with CRISPR technology has the potential to change science and medicine.

Pegasus Books
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Image of: The Plan That Could Give Us Our Lives Back
Alexis C. Madrigal and Robinson Meyer

The Plan That Could Give Us Our Lives Back

Tests to see who is contagious for COVID, rather than who has had it, are needed to stem the pandemic.

The Atlantic
Zusammenfassung lesen
RECENT ARTICLES

Leadership

Lessons from the Top of the World
Lessons from the Top of the World

Business writers find insight for leaders from the challenges and deadly hazards of climbing Mount Everest. What’s in it for you?

Performance Reviews

Feedback: Embrace It, Don’t Brace for It
Feedback: Embrace It, Don’t Brace for It

The topic of giving and receiving feedback is in many people’s mind as performance review season is approaching.

Home Office

In Defense of the Office
In Defense of the Office

Remote work arrangements are here to stay. Not everybody agrees that this is a good thing.

Costs of Misinformation

Weaponized Lies
Weaponized Lies

Disinformation doesn’t just affect people or elections: Businesses need to be ready for this growing threat.

AI

Yes, But What Has AI Done for You Lately?
Yes, But What Has AI Done for You Lately?

You’ve heard the hype about artificial intelligence (AI) being the future. Well, the future has arrived. Many businesses currently use AI for a variety of applications and now’s the time to consider what AI can do for you. 

Skills

The Top Skill Remote Workers Need
The Top Skill Remote Workers Need

In a remote work environment, one skill becomes particularly important: Writing.

Background

The COVID Recession Is Female
The COVID Recession Is Female

The pandemic sent employees home to work at the same time child care centers and schools closed, placing an untenable burden on families that’s now driving women from the workforce. Here’s what companies can do. 

Remote Selling

How to Make Remote Selling Work
How to Make Remote Selling Work

It is not exactly easy these days to provide customer care and to acquire new customers for companies – but it’s not impossible. Here’s how to do it.

Remote Teams

“Hello, How Are You?”
You would be surprised how many employees know the difference between an artificial and a real smile. Even if you move the corners of your mouth remotely.
“Hello, How Are You?”

In times when the whole world is wondering how best to get through the current crisis, small things make the difference. For example, taking an honest interest in your employees.

NEW: REVIEWS

Our Independent Book Critiques Are Even Shorter Than Our Summaries

Review
The New Meat
Billion Dollar Burger
Billion Dollar Burgerby Chase Purdy The New Meat

Reporter Chase Purdy takes a bite out of the emerging, billion-dollar, lab-grown meat industry. To help the environment, consider having a more sustainable burger.

Review
Bezos and His Juggernaut
Bezonomics
Bezonomicsby Brian Dumaine Bezos and His Juggernaut

How Jeff Bezos’s Amazon “flywheel” dominates online retail, the cloud and pretty much anything else he wants.

Review
Accelerating Change
Accelerate
Accelerateby John P. Kotter Accelerating Change

Older structures and processes won’t do anymore. No matter how you tinker with your existing reality, change expert John P. Kotter insists it won’t be enough.…

Review
Ethical Guidelines for Undergraduates
The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse
The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapseby Marianne M. Jennings Ethical Guidelines for Undergraduates

Marianne M. Jennings, professor of business ethics at Arizona State University, offers a basic overview of ethical issues businesses might face.

Browse All...
IN CONVERSATION
“Make Sure You Have 35 Years of Experience. And Not One Experience Repeated 35 Times.”
Ken Allen, CEO of DHL
“Make Sure You Have 35 Years of Experience. And Not One Experience Repeated 35 Times.”

Ken Allen, CEO of DHL, explains what executives will need tomorrow to be able to “deliver”.

“If a Diversity Expert Can Fail So Epically, Anyone Can.”
“If a Diversity Expert Can Fail So Epically, Anyone Can.”

Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran on subtle acts of exclusion, how to recognize them, how to avoid them and how to deal with them proactively – on both sides of a conversation.

“In Times of Confusion, It’s Crucial That the Message Gets Through.”
Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo / Photo by Bryce Vickmark/MIT/UPI/laif
“In Times of Confusion, It’s Crucial That the Message Gets Through.”

Nobel Laureates Esther Duflo and Abhijit V. Banerjee on the surprisingly commonsensical nature of economics, and how COVID-19 will affect the global fight against poverty and the quality of economic policy.

“Education Ministries Across Latin America Have Been Quite Creative.”
Lima city at lockdown on coronavirus pandemic in 2020 / Photo: Christian Vinces / getty
“Education Ministries Across Latin America Have Been Quite Creative.”

Learning loss, especially among the world’s poor, is a major concern following months of school lockdowns. Yet new teaching tools and digital initiatives rolled out during the pandemic could benefit the cause of improving literacy in the long term.

“Passivity Is Depressing, Activity Is Energizing.”
Rosabeth Moss Kanter / Photo: Jason Grow
“Passivity Is Depressing, Activity Is Energizing.”

The doyenne of leadership experts, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, on the importance of advanced leadership in times of crisis, more diversity at the executive level, and the need to reinvent institutions.

“Our Level of Knowledge About China Is Not Sufficient”
“Our Level of Knowledge About China Is Not Sufficient”

China is systematically trying to expand its influence in the world. China expert Mareike Ohlberg – co-author of Hidden Hand – Exposing How the Chinese Communist Party Is Reshaping the World – speaks of infiltration. In this interview, she explains the methods Beijing is using and why the West must react.

“The Focus is ‘Enough’ Rather Than ‘More’”
“The Focus is ‘Enough’ Rather Than ‘More’”

The mainstream economics notion that unfettered growth accompanied by greater consumption and productivity benefits society is false, argues Rob Dietz, Program Director at the Post Carbon Institute. In an interview with getAbstract, he shares his vision of a new economic way forward.

All Interviews...
NEW SERIES: SOFT SKILLS FOR BUSINESS

What You Need to Get along with Others and Lead People More Effectively

Social Capital Is Like Money in the Bank
Head Thinking Icons Set
Social Capital Is Like Money in the Bank

Building a network of colleagues and friends is an essential part of working and advancing in your career. Several techniques make it as painless as possible. 

Collaborate to Motivate
Collaborate to Motivate

Let your enthusiasm for the task at hand motivate your colleagues and employees to perform at a consistently high level. 

The Fine Art of Teaching Soft Skills
The Fine Art of Teaching Soft Skills

Cultivating an appreciation for tact, basic fairness and responsible behavior in your employees makes life easier for everyone. 

Learn More...
SPECIAL: CLASSIC ADVICE

The Greatest Books of All Time (And Their Collected Knowledge for Everyday Life)

Heed the Villagers’ Warnings
Heed the Villagers’ Warnings

Bram Stokers Dracula Or: Puritan Meets Prince of Darkness

Glitz, Glamor and a Very Sad Man
Glitz, Glamor and a Very Sad Man

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Or: How Not to Be Murdered by Your Mistress’s Husband’s Mistress’s Husband.

Sleeping with the Fishes
Sleeping with the Fishes

Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Or: How to Escape a Madman Offshore

OUR GETTOGETHER SERIES

Learn how to communicate more effectively, and improve your work, family and social relationships. 

In this getTogether series, you'll hear from executives, entrepreneurs and educators navigating – and often shaping – the future of work.

The monthly series that answers the most frequently asked questions of our corporate clients all around the world.

Social Media: Hero or Villain?
In this episode, we are talking to Bloomberg Tech Journalist Sarah Frier, author of No Filter, a deep dive into the origin story of Instagram and its later acquisition by Facebook. Her book was longlisted for getAbstract's International Book Award 2020.

We ask: How have the explosion of social networks and their pervasiveness in our lives shaped our communication, both online and off? What role do algorithms play in igniting creativity, and on the other hand, increasing polarisation? Despite our obsession with likes, shares and engagement, is there any hope that social media could help restore authentic online communication? It all depends on us, the users. But we need to learn how our behavior is influenced, so we can make more independent, and healthy choices.

Learn how to communicate more effectively, and improve your work, family and social relationships. 

Prep Reading

Image of: No Filter
Sarah Frier

No Filter

Instagram began as a place for artistic expression, but Facebook’s acquisition led to immense changes and corporate turmoil.

Simon & Schuster
Zusammenfassung lesen

Empathy

Diversity & Innovation

Workplace Wellbeing

Body Language

Change / Working From Home With Kids

Implicit Bias

The New Normal

How You Tick

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In our Online Reading Club we offer weekly video conversations with experts and book authors. Get firsthand information on the topics of the hour and up-to-date reading recommendations from getAbstract's library of over 20,000 summaries. For a full overview of our 50+ getTogether sessions, click here. 

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