Cultures of Growth

Mary C. Murphy

Simon & Schuster, 352 pp., $30

Drawing upon her decade-long research, Murphy demonstrates the benefits of adopting a growth mindset. She contends that companies geared toward growth are more likely to inspire deeper learning in addition to sparking collaboration and innovation. The author cites multiple positive examples of a growth mindset working, including outdoor retailer Patagonia, executive chairman and CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella, and a New York school superintendent reshaping the district's mindset. The book gives readers the tools they need to create an environment that enables workers to thrive and grow, thus benefiting both the individual and the company at all levels.

Look Again

Tali Sharot and Cass R. Sunstein

Atria/One Signal, 288 pp., $28.99

Sometimes, even the exciting parts of a person's life can lose some luster. Likewise, stimulating jobs can lose their spark after a while. Sharot, a neuroscience professor, and Sunstein, a Harvard University law professor, use Look Again to investigate why people stop noticing both the good and the bad of life. The authors' research shows readers how they can make improvements by doing things such as temporarily changing their environment and who they interact with. Such disruptions to routines can help reset the brain. By reigniting what sparks joy in both their professional and personal lives, readers can clearly identify the bad and appreciate the good.