Daniel Pink

As we head back to the office, this book is essential reading.

It’ll explain why you should never tolerate a-holes at work – and help you find out if you might be one yourself.

(It’s also my wife’s favorite business book, including those written by her husband.)

#DanielPink #TheNoAssholeRule #RobertSutton #BookRecommendation

How to discover your purpose in 4 (not-so-easy) questions:
1. What do you enjoy?
2. What are you good at?
3. What does the world need?
4. What can you get paid for?

More: https://lnkd.in/dnd9HXgn

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Wednesday wisdom from Stephen King:

Another good obit of the great Csikszentmihalyi, including a quote I hadn't seen before:

“When the self loses itself in a transcendent purpose — whether to write great poetry, craft beautiful furniture, understand the motions of galaxies, or help children be happier — the self becomes largely invulnerable to the fears and setbacks of ordinary existence.”

When we ask for help or admit a mistake, people perceive us *far* less negatively than we perceive ourselves.

Researchers call this “the beautiful mess effect.“

And it's another reason to show yourself self-compassion.

When Ozan Varol first became a law professor, he’d pause mid-lecture and ask: “Does anyone have any questions?”

-Crickets-

He assumed he nailed the lesson.
But the exam results said otherwise.

So he ran an experiment.
Instead of asking if anyone had questions, he said:

“That was confusing. I’m sure a bunch of you have questions. Now’s the time to ask.”

Suddenly—hands shot up.

Why did that work? Because it did 3 powerful things:

1. Normalized confusion
2. Created psychological safety
3. Made it feel okay to not “get it”

Students weren’t silent because they understood…
They were silent because they were scared to speak.

This isn’t just for professors.
Doctors can say:
“I know I used a lot of medical jargon—what questions do you have?”

Leaders can say:
“That was a tough quarter. I know we’re all facing challenges—what’s come up for you?”

People don’t speak up because they don’t want to look weak.
Not in front of peers.
Not in front of bosses.
Not in front of future collaborators.

Your job isn’t just to ask questions.
It’s to create the conditions for honest answers.

The goal isn’t “Who has questions?”
The goal is: “How can I make asking questions feel safe, smart, and expected?”

Final takeaway from Ozan:

Breakthroughs don’t start with smart answers.
They start with better questions.
Asked the right way.
At the right time.
To the right people.

What’s one question you’ve been asking the wrong way?

Reply below—let’s rewrite it together. 👇

I’ve written five New York Times bestsellers and read thousands of books.

Along the way, I’ve learned a few things about how reading actually works.

Here are four pieces of advice that will make you a better reader.

First, torture your books. Crack the spine. Underline. Write in the margins.
Books are not precious objects. They are tools for thinking. The more you engage, the more you remember.

Second, become a quitter. If a book is not working for you, stop. It is not your responsibility to push through. It is the author’s responsibility to keep you engaged. A useful rule of thumb: 100 minus your age equals the number of pages you should give a book before walking away.

Third, build a second brain. Keep your highlights and notes in one place. Notion, Google Docs, or whatever system you trust. Export your Kindle highlights. Capture your margin notes. Later, those ideas become reusable raw material.

Fourth, become a T-shaped reader. Go deep in your field. But also read widely outside it. Psychology, art, history, poetry, even comics.

Depth without breadth narrows you. Breadth without depth thins you. The goal is both.

If you do these four things, you will not just read more. You will remember more.

I share a few more tips in a recent I did: https://lnkd.in/gMpWSKd3

5 questions every manager should ask their direct reports:

How much time should you spend outside?

Try the 20-5-3 rule.

20 minutes a day/3 days per week in a neighborhood park.

5 hours a month in semi-wild nature, like a forested state park.

3 days a year off the grid -- e.g. in a cabin.

This is how to build resilience:

- Confront the negative, then look for the positive.

- Follow your moral compass.

- Believe in something bigger than yourself.

- Focus on what you can actually change.

- Strive for social connectedness.

4 ways to avoid burnout when working remotely (via David Burkus):

Writing is a solitary profession. You sit alone at a desk – sometimes for years – just you, your keyboard, and your screen.

That’s why I’ve been so glad to be out talking about The Power of Regret.

Seeing and meeting actual readers will keep me in the writing business for at least a few more weeks!

#ThePowerOfRegret #DanielPink

Tuesday wisdom:

OKRs -- Objectives & Key Results -- can improve performance.

But maybe it's time for NO-KRs -- a list of things organizations ask people to *stop* doing (cc-ing everyone on emails, scheduling endless meetings, presenteeism, etc.)

Link: http://ow.ly/QIIB50Lbauq

Same.

#DanielPink #JohnUpdike #QOTD

While the world melts down, enjoy this diversion: Bill Murray seamlessly inserted into famous paintings.

Tuesday wisdom:

Thursday wisdom:

A British bank moved to a 4-day work week.

You won't believe what happened next:

- Profits ⬆️
- Productivity ⬆️
- Customer satisfaction ⬆️

- Attrition ⬇️
- Recruitment costs ⬇️
- Absences ⬇️

The ideal number of hours to work each day?

Five.

Doesn't apply to those who can't control their sched. But knowledge & creative workers can get a heckuva lot done in 5 hours of uninterrupted, no-meetings, email-free, Slack-less, heads-down work.

https://lnkd.in/dEs6Q3p

Hey parents, This might be hard to hear.

But your biggest regret won’t be what you did for your kids…

It’ll be what you didn’t let them do for themselves.
🧵

Many parents of adult children realize this too late:

They micromanaged. Focused too much on grades. Fixed too many problems.

Made life too easy.

All with good intentions. But…

The big lesson?

Resilience isn’t taught. It’s built.

And it’s built through stumbling, failing, figuring things out—without someone stepping in every time.

If we protect kids from every hard moment, we rob them of the ability to grow stronger.

Struggle builds confidence.

Failure teaches problem-solving.

Doing it alone builds belief.

Here’s the bottom line:

Your job isn’t to clear the path.

It’s to raise someone who can walk it.

What’s something your parents let you struggle through that shaped who you are today?

Reply below.

Too little free time leaves us ragged. Too much leaves us dull.

The key is have just enough time -- and to use it to:

- Exercise consistently.

- Practice acts of kindness. Givers gain.

- Experience awe by being in nature, absorbing art, etc.

Toughness without compassion can lead to helplessness.

Compassion without toughness can lead to complacency.

Tough compassion -- deep kindness coupled with high standards -- can lead to progress.

Note to self: Get outside today!

Being in nature:
- reduces stress
- helps us feel restored
- helps stave off anxiety, depression, & physical complaints
- makes us happier and more satisfied with life.

“If almost all of us started walking for an extra 10 minutes a day, we could, collectively, prevent more than 111,000 deaths every year.“

A major career pivot every 10 years or so can help you:
-- accelerate learning
-- prevent languishing
-- forge new relationships
-- reduce future regrets
-- deepen meaning

After 20 years of writing books, I'm compiling Kindle readers' most highlighted passages.

Here's one from “To Sell is Human“.

My new role model: Ángela Álvarez, who recorded her first album at age 94 and won her first Grammy at age 95.

Neuroscientists have shown something fascinating.

Your brain does not care if a thought is true.
It believes whatever you repeat.

The brain learns through repetition.
Every time you repeat a thought, you strengthen the neural pathway that carries it.

The brain also loves familiarity.
The more familiar a thought becomes, the more true it feels, even when it is not based on facts.

This explains why repeated negative thoughts can start to feel like reality.
And why repeating accurate, positive thoughts can calm you, steady you, and build confidence.

Therapists use this principle every day.
They help people replace harmful stories with healthier, more accurate ones through intentional repetition.

Your brain is plastic.
It rewires itself based on practice, not intention.

So be careful what you repeat.
Your thoughts are not background noise.
They are blueprints.

They are building the way you see yourself.

Study: Puderbaugh, M., & Emmady, P. D. (2023). Neuroplasticity. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://lnkd.in/gu5mbKeA Image: Aïda Amer / Axios https://lnkd.in/gAmPyE7j

Your 20s and 30s aren’t about having it all figured out. They’re about building the habits, systems, and courage that future you will thank you for.

Spend your time wisely.
Credit: @blakemallen

This 20-minute "Odyssey Plan" from Stanford is a brilliant exercise in designing your life, not just letting it happen. By imagining three different 5-year paths, you gain profound clarity and connect with your intrinsic motivations for a more purpose-driven future.

Listening better is the fastest way to build trust!

Source: (https://lnkd.in/g2cK_MsJ?)

Stop trying to read 100 books a year.

We have become obsessed with the "body count" of our bookshelves. But reading isn't a race to the last page; it's a software update for your brain.

I’m 61.
Don’t work with jerks — no matter how talented they are. They tax your energy, slow your growth, and quietly ruin the work.

Want to make better decisions?

Stop asking "Don't you agree?"
Start asking "What am I missing?"

That one question changes everything.

90% of your productivity comes down to just 3 things:

1. Energy.
You can’t manage time if you don’t manage energy.
Sleep, movement, and breaks. That’s your real fuel.
Run out of energy, and no system or app can save you.

2. Focus.
Distraction is the enemy.
Every notification is a tax on your brain.
The best performers protect their attention like it’s gold… because it is.

3. Priorities.
Most of what we do doesn’t matter.
The key is knowing the few things that do and doing those first.
Everything else is noise.

Master these 3 and the rest takes care of itself.

You don’t have to choose between kindness and ambition.
Be generous. Be smart.
Give without keeping score. Just don’t forget to protect your time.
That’s the sweet spot.

Myth: People fail because they lack talent.

Reality: People fail because they don’t ship.

Creation isn’t self-expression. It’s responsibility.

Learn more in this bracing essay by @dereksivers

The 7 Levels of Motivation. Which level are you operating from right now?

Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gHtQWgNU

I picked up this book 20 years ago because the cover was shiny.

Stayed with it because it changed how I live my life.

It’s called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

The big idea:
Every time you sit down to do meaningful work
Write. Paint. Build. Lead. Create.
Something invisible pushes back.

Pressfield calls it The Resistance.

It shows up as:
- Procrastination
- Self-doubt
- Perfectionism

It’s quiet. Persistent. And it loves comfort.

Amateurs obey The Resistance.
They let fear call the shots.
Professionals?
They show up anyway.

The book doesn’t romanticize the creative process.
It names the enemy.
And it reminds you that doing your work consistently, imperfectly is a daily act of courage.

So the next time you find yourself procrastinating. Just remember, “Beat the Resistance.”

If you study the past 100 years of creativity, three truths keep showing up:

1. “Steal like an artist.”

Austin Kleon said it best, “The best ideas aren’t born. They’re borrowed, reworked, and made your own.”

2. Make more pots.

In the famous pottery experiment, one group was graded on perfection.
The other on quantity.
The “quantity” group ended up producing better work.
Why? Practice beats perfectionism.

3. Connect the dots.

Steve Jobs said creativity is “just connecting things.”
The more ideas you collect, the more powerful your combinations become.

Creativity isn’t magic.
It’s connection, repetition, and courage.

Here are 7 books that changed how I think.

AI can outthink us soon.

These 6 human skills will keep you valuable.

Watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/g_qu_k_9

Want to become more persuasive?

Here’s what decades of research reveal and how you can use it to influence anyone (ethically):

First: Don’t be an extrovert.

That loud, slick-talking stereotype of a great persuader?
Totally wrong.

In fact, strong extroverts are often bad at persuasion.
They talk too much and listen too little.

But introverts aren’t the answer either…

The best persuaders are ambiverts.
Not too loud. Not too quiet.
Ambiverts know when to speak and when to shut up.

They push when needed, but they also pause.
They’re adaptable. Flexible. Balanced.

And here’s the kicker:
Most of us are ambiverts.

Second: Use social proof.
People decide what to do by watching others.
Want someone to act?

Show them that people like them are already doing it.

Example:
“Reuse your towel it helps the environment.” (meh)
“Most guests reuse their towels.” (33% more effective)

Trying to pitch a new idea?
Don’t just share benefits.
→ Say: “Our competitors already use this.”
→ Or: “Half our team is already testing it.”

People follow patterns.
So show them the pattern.

Third: Don’t focus on changing minds.
Most of us resist changing our beliefs.
So stop trying to convince people.

Instead, make it easy for them to act.
This shift changes everything.

In one study, students were asked to donate food.
Giving them all the reasons why it mattered?
Mildly effective.
But when researchers gave a map, food suggestions, and follow-up?
Donation rates soared even from people who didn’t care much at first.

So ask yourself:
-Have I built an off-ramp?
-Is the action crystal clear?
-Can someone say yes without friction?

Simplify the next step.
That one change might make your pitch 10x more effective.

In summary, 3 proven ways to persuade:
Be an ambivert: Flexible, responsive, and balanced.
Bring social proof: People follow others. Show them who’s already in.
Make it easy: Action beats argument.
Now you’ve got the playbook.
Use it well.

Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional

I’ve read a lot of books over the years.
Most are useful.
A few change how you think.
Here are three I keep coming back to and why they matter right now.

First, The Work of Art by Adam Moss.
Struggle can feel like something is wrong, that we’ve chosen the wrong path.
But Moss shows otherwise
When you look at how great work actually gets made, struggle is everywhere.
False starts. Dead ends. Doubt.
Not as a sign of failure.
As a sign you’re doing the work.

Second, Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab.
Did you ever learn to set boundaries? Me neither.
So we improvise.
And usually, we overextend.
Tawwab makes a simple point.
Boundaries aren’t walls.
They’re guidelines.
They show people how to be in a relationship with you.
Without them, you get burnout.
With them, you get clarity.

Third, The Progress Principle by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer.
We often believe that motivation comes from big wins.
Or recognition.
Or pressure.
Their research says otherwise.
The single biggest driver of motivation is progress.
Even small progress.
Moving something forward.

A lot of advice about work sounds impressive.
But doesn’t hold up.

These books point to something simpler.
Expect the struggle.
Set the boundary.
Look for the progress.

Because better work isn’t about doing more.
It’s about understanding what actually drives it.

If you want the full list and why these books matter now, it’s here: https://lnkd.in/gAHSBu66