Posts in Book Reviews
The Power Paradox by Dacher Keltner
The Power Paradox by Dacher Keltner

The top 15 points:

1. Power dynamics are EVERYWHERE, even between parents and kids & among siblings. Eg An older sibling will often be stronger and smarter, with more education; in short, they have power over their younger sibling. It also makes them more traditional & conservative in outlook. Younger siblings lack this experience of power & will become more cooperative and innovative as adults.

2. Power is defined as one’s capacity to alter another person’s condition or state of mind

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Snakes in Suits by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare
Snakes in Suits by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare

The book examines what happens when a psychopath doesn’t wind up in jail, but instead puts on a suit and gets a job. The book outlines the tactics these predators use, how they damage companies and how you can protect yourself.

Top 15 points:

In the interpersonal domain, psychopaths are superficial, deceitful and grandiose. In the emotional domain, they lack empathy, remorse and the ability to take any responsibility for their actions. In the lifestyle domain, they lack life goals and…

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The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink.
The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink.

The top 20 takeaways:

1. People don’t like talking about regret as they want to project this image of perfection to the world. And regret says, “It isn’t.”

2. Regret is not dangerous or abnormal. It is healthy and universal, an integral part of being human.

3. The only people without regrets are five-year-olds, people with brain damage, and sociopaths.

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The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer by Steven Kotler
The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer by Steven Kotler

The top 20 takeaways:

1. Motivation is a psychological catch-all term for a few categories of skills. The motivation triad comprises of Drive, Grit and Goals.

2. When it comes to peak performance, you have few big levers to reach for. The 2 things that you have is your focus & the action you will take to accomplish whatever it is you’re doing. There’s not a lot you can do on the action side other than repeating for years until you get better. So, focus is your big lever. Motivation gives you focus for free. It’s a huge deal.

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Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us by Brian Klaas
Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us by Brian Klaas

Written by a social scientist who has advised many organizations (including NATO, the EU & Amnesty Int’l), this is a nuanced and entertaining guide to the meaning and function of power.

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I have noticed that whenever I post on LinkedIn about the harsh realities of modern-day career, I get an extraordinary number of likes and comments. Someone even commented that “These should be handed out to every graduating class. It would have helped me immensely even if I only knew half of these when I started!”

Hence, I recorded the first batch of ten career truths in August 2020. That solo episode, not unsurprisingly, remains the most popular RFM episode.

Of course, there had to be a sequel to the first one!

So here are Ten More Career Truths.

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The good, the bad and the ugly - My 2021 Booklist
The good, the bad and the ugly - My 2021 Booklist

The book is an integral part of my daily routine and I make it a point to read at least 50 pages a day.

These days I read a lot and I feel I must a) keep some record and b) share my findings with the rest of humanity. Because some books are simply spectacular and unforgettable and …err…because I am a self-proclaimed good guy.

So here is the roll call of all books I’ve read from 1 January 2021 to 31 Dec 2021. As a bonus, I’ve thrown in…

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Exponential by Azeem Azhar
Exponential by Azeem Azhar

Technology is NOT neutral and value-free, and it is not for consumers who decide whether it is used for good or evil. This is simply a cop out for technologists who refuse to take responsibility for their work.

Click here to read more…

I have noticed that whenever I post on LinkedIn about the harsh realities of modern-day career, I get an extraordinary number of likes and comments. Someone even commented that “These should be handed out to every graduating class. It would have helped me immensely even if I only knew half of these when I started!”

Hence, I recorded the first batch of ten career truths in August 2020. That solo episode, not unsurprisingly, remains the most popular RFM episode.

Of course, there had to be a sequel to the first one!

So here are Ten More Career Truths.

Read More
Book ReviewsBinod Shankarbook reviewsComment
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson.

Hi guys this is Binod Shankar, the real finance mentor, here with one of my solo episodes. This episode is about the realities of career, stuff that no one talks about. Many youngsters have workplace illusions. Wrong expectations create major disappointments.

I have noticed that whenever I post on LinkedIn about the harsh realities of modern-day career, I get an extraordinary number of likes and comments. Someone even commented that “These should be handed out to every graduating class. It would have helped me immensely even if I only knew half of these when I started!”

Hence, I recorded the first batch of ten career truths in August 2020. That solo episode, not unsurprisingly, remains the most popular RFM episode.

Of course, there had to be a sequel to the first one!

So here are Ten More Career Truths.

Read More
Book ReviewsBinod Shankarbook reviews Comments
When the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress-Disease Connection by Gabor Maté M.D.
When the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress-Disease Connection by Gabor Maté M.D.

Can a person literally die of loneliness? Is there a connection between the ability to express emotions and Alzheimer’s disease? Is there such a thing as a ‘cancer personality’?

Drawing on deep scientific research and Dr Gabor Maté’s acclaimed clinical work provides the answers to critical questions about the mind-body link – and the role that stress and our emotional makeup play in an array of common diseases.

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No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings
No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings

I watch Netflix and I’ve invested in Netflix stock. Plus it’s a remarkable story.

A company that started as a small DVD by mail business in 1997 that now has 207 mln paid streaming subscribers globally with a market cap of $ 230 bln (today), the revenue of $ 25 bln (2020), nearly 10,000 employees & has bagged 15 awards ( from 80 nominations) including Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes. It’s still led by its co-founder.

So naturally, I got curious about what makes it tick.

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Think again
Think again

This is a highly readable career guide of sorts. Some key takeaways:

1. Second answers aren’t inherently better (tip for exam takers!).
2. The challenge of rethinking assumptions is surprisingly common.
3. Our ways of thinking become habits that can weigh us down…Click to know more

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