These are 4 of the best books from business leaders

These are 4 of the best books from business leadersThese are 4 of the best books from business leadersIn a world dominated by 280-character status updates and two-minute, viral-ready video clips, books are the only form of physical media whose sales are growing - and are expected to continue on that upward trend.But what accounts for this marketplace resilience? Physical books, after all, were predicted just a few years ago to be dying. Instead, theyre thriving. Why?A big factor comes down to books for and about business leaders.The demands of this market epitomize something essential - and unique - about books in general. The medium is designed to study and dissect more serious, complicated subject matter - layered theories, multi-variable arguments of intellectual consequence.To write and read books of such genuine argumentative weight simply requires a different level of commitment - certainly a different sort of commitment than a Tweet or a video. And what were seeing is rea ders are still very willing to make that commitment, as they still very much want to educate themselves.Of curse, not all books about business are created equal. Not all give readers the sort of experience described above - one that educates and inspires.Some, however, do.Here are a few business books from the past year which exemplify the importance and durability of this genre and medium.Killing absatzwirtschaft by Joe Pulizzi and Robert RoseEveryone knows that the three traditional big cost marketing verticals - print, radio, and TV - are no longer central to the marketing landscape.Pulizzi and Rose, in this engaging read, detail why.But they also lay out how marketing departments can change their approach to achieve results in todays digital world. Namely, they examine the importance today of content marketing, and articulate why it must be a central strategic area of focus for companies who want to be considered modern age.Theyre not suggesting, as it were, that companies ab andon all paid and earned media efforts. For most organizations, there will always be a benefit to engaging those channels. But what they make clear is if you dont adapt to our new realities, youll fall behind.Customers today simply demand that whatever they consume - ads included - provide them some kind of value.Companies which achieve that end with their marketing will not only actualize revenue, but also customer loyalty.Ultimately, this book is a must-read for anyone working in content marketing, but even more importantly, for executives looking to advance their marketing visions in the coming decades.Imagine It Forward Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change by Beth Comstock and Tahl RazThe ancient philosopher Heraclitus told us that the only thing constant is change.In this audacious book, Beth Comstock and co-author Tahl Raz encourage readers to embrace that truth - and to harness their imaginations to adapt to it.Comstock shares her own transformation from introvert ed publicist to GEs first woman Vice Chair. She and Raz also examine how executives can take initiative in creating positive change within their own organizations, illustrating both the authenticity and courage it takes to be a powerful leader for change. Her advice and insights apply to most any organization, from non-profits, to start-ups, to large companies.What the authors posit, ultimately, is that every company needs an internal effective change-maker, and that effective change starts with changing your own mindset - accepting that your own assumptions (and even past successes) may be your biggest barrier to winning what comes next.AIQ How People and Machines Are Smarter Together by Nick Polson and James ScottPeoples perception of AI run the gamut from visions of utopia to dystopian fears of robots claiming all our jobs and leaving people to fend for themselves.Yet here authors Nick Polson and James Scott inform readers with a clear, unprejudiced explanation of how AI actuall y works. Their commentary is bracketed with a keen interrogation of its strengths and weaknesses, along with examinations of the abilities of artificial intelligence and examples of its uses.For instance, they explain conditional probability - the root of Netflixs recommendation engine - by comparing it with how mathematician Abraham Wald helped figure out the best way to armor military bombers.Their larger point is this rather than some fantastical breakthrough in technology, AI is rather simply the latest chapter in a long saga of using science and data to make sense of the world.Its beneficial, they argue, for businesses to demystify the concept of AI. This will allow companies to think clearly about how to take real advantage of it.Organizations looking to harness AI need to remake their businesses so they maximize the collaboration between humans and machines, ensuring that machines amplify humans abilities rather than simply substituting for them. This book makes that argume nt cogently.Growth IQ Get Smarter About the Choices That Will Make or Break Your Business by Tiffani BovaAuthor Tiffani Bova is an expert at helping companies find revenue growth in the face of stiff competition and fast-changing business environments.Growth, Bova posits, is complicated. In this book, she recounts dozens of fascinating, in-depth case studies to demonstrate how companies should isolate and identify opportunities for it, as well as how companies can avoid the pitfalls which accompany the ever-prescient search for growth.A key point Bova maintains that before you can grow your company with confidence, you first need to grow what she calls your Growth IQ. She illustrates through insightful analysis why it can be a mistake to imitate strategies that worked for your competitors or rely on strategies that worked for you in the past. The strategies she suggests, ultimately, boil down to picking the right combination and sequence of plans that fit your companys current growt h situation.One of the common threads between these books the authors encourage readers to carefully peel back layers of their fast-moving businesses and do some root-cause analysis of the challenges they face.From creating change to embracing AI, these books are useful in helping business leaders slow down and explore ways to transform their business environment or culture for the better.Its books like these, I believe, that explain why written work remains - and will continue to remain - relevant and important in the minds of readers.This article was originally posted on Medium.

What is catastrophic thinking (and how to stop)

What is catastrophic thinking (and how to stop)What is catastrophic thinking (and how to stop)When your thoughts abflug spiraling, getting off the staircase can feel impossible. One terrible notion leads to the next If I cant get this report done in time, you might think, then Ill be fired. And if Im fired, Ill have nothing to do all day. If I have nothing to do all day, Ill fall into a video game and beer hole. If I fall into a video game and beer hole, then my wife will leave me. And then and then and then Does this process sound familiar? This anxiety spiral - also known as catastrophic thinking or magnifying, - often occurs alongside anxiety and depression. Think of your brain as a rocky mountain one single distressing thought loosens an avalanche of related anxieties.Here are some other examplesIf I dont stay up all night studying, Ill fail my test - and if I fail my test, Ill be kicked out of school.I have a missed call from my mother - someone I love must have died.There s a weird freckle on my elbow. Its cancer. Im going to die. Tomorrow.No matter how true and valid each thoughtfeels, its important to remember that they are simply thoughts - and thoughts can be constrained. Minimizing your catastrophic thoughts can help reduce your anxiety or be an important stepping-stone in your depression recovery after all, these torrential cascades of terrible thoughtsincrease cortisol levels in your brain. Too much cortisol - also known as the stress hormone - can causea number of long-term health problems.How to prevent catastrophic thinkingPrevent catastrophic thinking by preparing your mindbeforea distressing thought strikes. Heres how.1. Keep an eye on your thoughtsHow can you stop something you dont realize is happening until youre deep in its maw? The first step in preventing theanxietyavalanche is learning to recognize the unique fingerprint of your brains catastrophic thinking.Practice observing your thoughts without judging their validity or truth fulness. If that sounds hard, you arent alone theres a reason anincreasing number of Americansare taking up yoga and meditation. Sign up for a nearby yoga class or take time each morning tomeditate. These practices teach you how to acknowledge your thoughts - without getting swept up in their tide.Stopping catastrophic thinking requires stepping in at the first sign of trouble. Once you understand your personal thought patterns, recognizing a disturbance will be much easier.2. Find your spirals sourceWhen youre deep in the black cloud of panicked thinking, uncovering the spirals original spark can be difficult. Youre worried aboutlosing your boyfriend, your apartment,andyour job - but dig deep to find the root. Did this spiral begin because you failed a pop quiz in chemistry class? Because you felt a funny lump in your armpit?Once youve found what caused the spiral, its easier to deal with the problem. Think about it like killing a fast-growing vine If you dont dig out the roots, the leaves will continue spreading indefinitely.3. Use your logical brainOnce youve dialed down your catastrophic thinking to its source, take time to dissect your specific anxieties about the issue. Now is a great opportunity to practice your meditation skills, lest you fall into yet another spiral during the dissection Perhaps learning how to drive terrifies you, and your thinking catastrophizes every time you get behind the wheel.Use logic to help defeat your wily brain. A lot of panic comes down tooverestimating thetruechances of danger. Learning the facts may sooth your mind Research how often car accidents happen and read up on best driving practices to ensure that youre the safest driver you can be.Are your concerns health-related? While it might seem scary, the best cure is seeing your doctor. Or if youre struggling at work, talk it through with your boss - chances are theyll be more kind and receptive than you expected.4. Challenge your anxious thinkingSpirals are scary be cause the thoughts feel so real, but if you notice yourself slipping, take a deep breath and challenge your beliefs. Ask yourself, Is this threat realright now? Perhaps youve been stuck in your bed for days waiting for laboratory test results. Your mind may be caught up in a web of worries Do I have a disease? If I have a disease, am I going to die? Even if I survive, how will I afford my care?Stop. Focus on the here and the now. If the test results are bad, you can deal with it at that moment - dont waste time panicking about it nowYou want to challenge your catastrophic thinking, but you dont want to beat yourself up for having anxious thoughts. Our brain does all sorts of unwelcome things without our consent, and having a panic spiral doesnt make you a bad person. Dont get angry at yourself for falling for your minds clever trap - focus your energies on escaping its pull.Get in touch with a professionalNot everyone can overcome their catastrophic thinking solo, and thats okay I f youre struggling to rein in your thoughts,reach out to a therapistfor additional help.They can work through the causes of your catastrophic thinking and recommend specific, tailored-to-you exercises and techniques. With their help, you can step out of the spiral and start living again.This article was originally published on Talkspace.com.

7 Assumptions Hiring Managers Make From Reading Your Resume

7 Assumptions Hiring Managers Make From Reading Your Resume7 Assumptions Hiring Managers Make From Reading Your Resume7 Assumptions Hiring Managers Make From Reading Your ResumeDont let your resume writing send the wrong message. Here are 7 assumptions youll want to avoid. TWEETHave you ever heard of the old saying Dont judge a book by its cover? This is wise advice, as we should never make preconceived bedrngnisions without knowing all the facts. However, these wise words are not always followed, especially when it comes to job searching.Hiring managers make judgements every day without the benefit of ever meeting the applicant. These judgements are often made based on an applicants resume alone. Your resume writing says a lot about your personality, interests, commitment and ability to perform. While some of the information it conveys may be intended, some of it may not.Preconceived assumptions may seem unfair, but its a matter of life in the job market. Companies receive hundreds of resumes for each available position. Hiring managers cannot sift through them all. Dont worry though. There are solutions to prevent those resume guardians from deeming you unworthy. Here are seven assumptions hiring managers make and how to use them as resume help to prevent them from ruining your chance at an interview.Assumption 1 Youre unwilling to relocateAre you tired of your schauplatz and want to strike out for new riches? Tell your potential employer you want to relocate. This is one of the most common miscommunications hiring managers face. Applying for a job in one state and listing your home state as another may subject you to automatic dismissal, unless you state your willingness to move. No one wants to waste time on an applicant who doesnt want the job. Use the following resume help to avoid confusionRemove your mailing address from your resume.State your desire to relocate at the top of the resume.Reiterate your desire to relocate in the cover letter.Be sure to in clude you are willing to relocate for free.Assumption 2 Youre behind the timesOkay, its time to join the new world and toss those ancient tools. Say goodbye to your typewriter, DOS manual, ancient email accounts, etc. Freshen your skills, and let the hiring manager know you mean business. Hiring managers want candidates who know the current technology. If your resume writing details older systems, they may assume you arent up-to-date and require expensive training. This is a red flag. Do the following to show that youre up-to-date on current trendsGet rid of your AOL and Hotmail email addresses opt for Gmail.Research the web for fresh keyword replacements. (I.e. weblogs vs. blogs, junior high vs. middle school and Myspace vs. Facebook and LinkedIn).Remove technical skills and software proficiency older than five years.Assumption 3 Youre overqualifiedHiring managers look at your age and experience level and often they will toss out resumes based on candidates who are overqualified or may demand more money than theyre willing to pay. Sometimes you have to remove your most prized possessions to be considered. Do the following within your resume writing to avoid this assumptionDelete experience exceeding 20 years keep your resume at two pages or less.Consider deleting advanced degrees masters or doctoral if the position doesnt require them.Remove dates older than ten years, and consider removing advanced skills not applicable to the position.Assumption 4 You dont fit culturallySome assumptions are insane and unpreventable. They may discriminate against the school you attended (i.e. liberal university with a reputation for partying), sorority life, social activity (i.e. LGBT, civil rights, etc.) or even religion. While federal law prohibits most discrimination, hiring managers find ways around it. First, consider if you want to work for a company that discriminates against your passions. If you still want to work for the company, hide your controversial material. Consider using the followingtips as resume helpDont include volunteer information for controversial activity.Never include sorority or fraternity engagement.Highlight other achievements to draw attention away from this material.Assumption 5 Youre applying for the visa sponsorshipInternational experience comes in two forms citizens who worked in another country and non-citizens applying for jobs in the U.S.. Hiring managers may read the zwischenstaatlich experience and assume you need an H-18 visa sponsorship, even though you are a citizen or already have a green card. First, if you need sponsorship, make sure the company offers this before applying. Others should explain their status at the top of their resume. Here are two examples for applicantsNon-Citizen with Green Card Awarded Green Card and permission to work in the U.S. based on past experience with international business processes.U.S. Citizen Nationalized U.S. Citizen with experience building strong networks and driving b usiness solutions with international businesses.Assumptions 6 7 Youre lazy or uncommittedLets face it life happens. We need to change jobs, or a company may downsize. During the recession, job jumping was popular and necessary for many Americans who lost their careers. Those gaps in work or short time on the job may send the wrong message to hiring managers. Or maybe you were offered the chance to expand your knowledge overseas and took a five year hiatus in China. Hiring managers may assume you lack focus and wont keep your job for long. Do the following within your resume writing to avoid seeming uncommittedInclude two-line explanations filling in the gaps, explaining why you were out of a job.Consider a functional resume instead of a chronological one.Divide your experience into segments based on accomplishments rather than time frames.Everyone is human, including hiring managers. They can, and do, make irrational assumptions based on miscommunications. Make sure your informatio n doesnt lead you into this trap. Edit your resume writing and cover letter carefully, considering all assumptions hiring managers could make. Take your resume to a friend, recruiter or college for advice. Many colleges and state labor departments have services to help you iron out the bugs. Take advantage of these freemium services.Need resume help? 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