logo image

TD Magazine Article

Book Capsules, November 2018

Synopses of Back to Human by Dan Schawbel and Lessons From Mars by Carlos Valdes-Dapena

By

Thu Nov 01 2018

Loading...

Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation

Dan Schawbel

Advertisement

Da Capo Press, 150 pp., $27

This book is designed to help the next generation of leaders become more effective. It offers tips and strategies on how to hire effectively, increase productivity, grow strong interpersonal skills, be more collaborative, and become more fulfilled at work without relying on technology. Schawbel's research, which included more than 2,000 managers and employees across different age groups, found that electronic and virtual communication contributes to a greater sense of isolation at work. "The point of Back to Human is to help you decide when and how to appropriately use technology to build better connections that I never thought would have been possible," Schawbel writes.

Lessons From Mars: How One Global Company Cracked the Code on High Performance Collaboration and Teamwork

Carlos Valdes-Dapena

Changemakers Books, 448 pp., $27.95

Advertisement

The Mars in this book refers to Mars Inc., the chocolate company, not the planet. The author, who spent 17 years with the company, introduces the Mars Framework for High Performance Collaboration, which is a counterintuitive system for channeling immutable self-interest into optimized collaboration. The book equips team leaders and team members with ideas, research, and tools to gain actionable concepts and insights, including how to avoid the pitfall of confusing consensus with unanimity or how to build trust in teams. Valdes-Dapena says teams need a sense of purpose and need to know the reason behind why they should collaborate.

You've Reached ATD Member-only Content

Become an ATD member to continue

Already a member?Sign In

ISSUE

November 2018 - TD Magazine

View Articles
Advertisement
Advertisement

Copyright © 2024 ATD

ASTD changed its name to ATD to meet the growing needs of a dynamic, global profession.

Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie Policy