Alignment

"Every high performing team believes it exists for a compelling reason and that the world will be better for what it does. Its purpose is not the task or work it does but the benefit it delivers." Linda Hill and Kent Lineback, organizational behavior experts, know that it takes more than just process and knowledge to build a high performing team. You also need the secret ingredients to unite them, as we'll see.

We are all a work of art in the making. Or as George Bernard Shaw once said, "life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." With technology changing at its current pace, workplace learning and development has never had so much opportunity to transform. And BookClub is the perfect example.

Learn powerful leadership techniques, tips, and insights to inspire and guide your own leadership journey.

Discover how to measure the impact of learning and development on team performance in organizations. Explore different frameworks and models for evaluating the effectiveness of employee training programs, and learn strategies for capturing and sustaining return on investment (ROI). This article provides valuable insights and practical tips for L&D leaders and professionals seeking to optimize their training initiatives and create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

What qualities do inspirational leaders share? And what is it about their unique style of leadership that turns inspiration into actions and results? This blog post will help you learn what it takes.

• Share example of kindergarteners vs MBA students in structural challenge. Their style of team interaction was more effective and produced better outcomes. • Embrace connection and good ideas, vs. status and jockeying for hierarchy • Competition is such a deeply ingrained part of American culture. But it can hurt our team efforts. Belonging and cohesion matter more for effectiveness.

Bill Gates offers five critical ways that individuals can impact climate change in a meaningful way. Each of these five actions are not only doable but powerful—especially when combined with the efforts of other climate-conscious individuals.

Praise and criticism can feel like a double-edged sword for leaders and managers. But according to Kim Scott, the trick isn’t how much you praise or criticize employees—but how effectively you approach the feedback.

Busy managers, executives, and business owners, learn helpful strategies for reclaiming your work-life balance, from Stacy Igel’s book Embracing the Calm in the Chaos.

Learn how to embody your core values and find success through James Weber’s four pillars of leadership.

Learn the five strategies Trader Joe's used to disrupt the food industry, along with valuable takeaways that you can adopt to disrupt your own corner of the business world:

Candace Nelson is the genius behind the Sprinkles Cupcakes phenomenon and the author of Sweet Success, a recipe book for success in entrepreneurship. Learn her seven key ingredients!

The modern workplace has evolved in unimaginable ways over the last few decades. Gone are the days when companies viewed their employees merely as expendable assets, easily replaceable cogs in the corporate machine. Today, with increasing recognition of the value of human capital, the focus has shifted to creating healthier, more human-centric organizations. Learning and development and HR professionals must therefore prioritize employee well-being, not just for ethical reasons but because it's vital for organizational success.

Recruiting the right talent is a mission-critical activity that has long-lasting effects on an organization. According to Jim Collins, author of the influential book "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't," "The right people are your most important asset." In light of this, let's examine seven key recruitment strategies that can help you not just fill vacancies but elevate your company from good to great.

Learning and development programs have been traditionally geared towards skill enhancement and career progression. However, aligning them with your organization's core purpose—your ‘Why’—can profoundly elevate their impact. "Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion" (Sinek). So, how do you infuse ‘Why’ into your company’s training programs to cultivate passion among employees? Let’s go through an ultimate checklist to help you do just that.

It's not just about being a 'boss'; it's about being a leader who fosters development and nurtures a team. Many contemporary thought leaders have offered perspectives on this issue, and one compelling framework has stood out: the principle of "Care personally, challenge directly." How can learning and development and HR professionals integrate these insights into their leadership training and strategies? Read on to find out.

The way we think about motivation is changing, and as Learning & Development and HR professionals, it's our responsibility to adapt and guide this transformation. Traditional methods of carrot-and-stick motivation are increasingly viewed as obsolete, paving the way for a more nuanced approach focusing on intrinsic motivators like autonomy, mastery, and purpose. "Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement," as research has famously shown. Today, we'll delve into five real-world case studies to demonstrate the tangible impact of intrinsic motivation on organizational performance.

In today's workforce, employees crave more than just a paycheck. They seek purpose, growth, and the opportunity to develop new skills. This isn't just a "nice to have" but a business imperative. Engaged and growing employees are more productive and are more likely to stay with your company. In the words of Laszlo Bock, it's imperative to "Turn work into a calling, not a job."

In the ever-evolving landscape of the corporate world, engaging your team isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a must-have for any organization that aims to sustain performance and growth. But how do you go beyond employee satisfaction surveys and superficial initiatives to create a truly engaged workforce? The answer lies in understanding human behavior and leveraging it for your benefit. Here, we delve into the concept of "habit loops" to offer seven actionable ways to boost employee engagement.

In today's digital age, where multitasking and immediate responses are often praised, the true value of focused, uninterrupted work can easily be overshadowed. Yet, as Cal Newport articulates in his seminal research, "Shallow work keeps you busy; deep work makes you valuable." In this context, we need to identify the signs that indicate an organization is submerged in shallow work rather than fostering environments for deep work. Below are the eight key signs that your organization might be struggling with shallow work, along with practical solutions to correct course.

When it comes to organizational success, leadership plays an irreplaceable role. Yet, what makes a leader truly impactful? Is it their knowledge, skills, or charisma? While these attributes are important, the power of courageous leadership can be a game-changer for any organization. Inspired by the wisdom from "Dare to Lead," this guide lays down nine essential criteria for selecting leaders who embody courage.

Crucial conversations are often the make-or-break moments in the professional world, especially within the realms of HR and Learning & Development. These conversations carry emotional loads and high stakes, whether they involve negotiating a contract, addressing performance issues, or resolving interpersonal conflicts. "Silence or violence: The two ways most people handle crucial conversations," as wisely pointed out in the book "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High."

This blog post explores the importance of establishing purpose and goals within a team, and provides practical tips for how to identify and rally around a shared purpose, as well as set and track progress towards achievable goals.

The question of human relevance looms large as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) deepens across sectors. "The AI era has arrived. Are you ready?" This vital question from "AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order" is more pertinent than ever. To prepare for this increasingly automated future, it's crucial to focus on skills that are uniquely human. Below are eight essential skills that can help humans not just survive, but thrive, in the age of automation.

Learn about the six foundational resources that every high-performing team needs in order to excel in their work. This blog post provides insights on budget, time, insight, tools and training, support, and team structure.

Learn what imposter syndrome is, how it manifests in the workplace, and practical strategies for overcoming it. Discover the importance of psychological safety in cultivating confidence and vulnerability, and explore tips for building self-compassion and taking risks.

Learn about Amy Edmonson's Team Learning Model, and how it can transform your good team into an exceptional one. This blog post explores the conditions, beliefs, behaviors, and performance indicators that separate good teams from great ones.

Tips on how to build a high-performing team by establishing clear expectations and structure. Defining roles, setting expectations, pointing employees to resources, setting deadlines, holding employees accountable, and offering feedback. We emphasize the importance of providing team members with a complete and thorough understanding of a project's who, what, where, when, and why.

BookClub's Head of Marketing, Jonathan Woahn, shares insights on how to create a successful book club at work by focusing on desired outcomes and avoiding typical pitfalls. Learn how book clubs can build stronger connections, operationalize key ideas, and address challenges in the workplace.

Shawn Achor shares a powerful lesson in positive psychology that has applications for happiness and success at work. Learn how to become a “unicorn” for more success and happiness!

Christine Murphy shares her personal love of books and how her involvement with BookClub, originally an online hub for readers and authors, led to her current role as VP of Production. She discusses how BookClub has evolved to focus on enterprise content with books as the continued through-line, and explores the power of books as a conduit for knowledge and change.

Be professional. Don’t bring your baggage to work. Right? According to Kim Scott, attempting to conceal your humanity and vulnerability isn’t helping you—or your team. Learn how to turn your humanity into a superpower at work with radical candor.

Want to reduce poor communication caused by confusion, misinformation, and delivery? Learn how to streamline the way your teams and employees talk to each other in the workplace.

BookClub's Madison Soucie shares how her love for continuous learning has been shaped by her experiences in Costa Rica, books, and mentors. She also discusses how books can be used not only for personal growth but also as a tool for communication, team development, and democratizing knowledge.

Atul Gawande, author of the book The Checklist Manifesto, reveals why checklists are so effective and how leaders and employees can use them to increase efficiency, reduce errors, increase discipline, and improve communication in almost any work environment.

Learn the building blocks of trust, explore why trust is so essential for building engaged employees, and find out how to build trust with your team.

Why is the manager-employee relationship so pivotal? And more importantly, what can you do to cultivate trust and rapport with your employees? Read this post!

Through his research, Gawande has found that checklists are a simple but powerful tool that can help organizations to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and innovation. Learn how this often-overlooked tool could improve your workplace.

What if teams could reliably develop better trust, connection, and overall communication in a remote/hybrid-work world? What if teams could predictably level up by 1% every week for an entire year?

Check out our 10 most-read articles of 2022. Whether you’re leading a hybrid, remote, or in-office team, this roundup will help you build a more cohesive, productive dynamic to reach your stretch goals this year.

Bustling offices, call centers, warehouses, and business centers use a lot of energy over the course of the year. Learn how you can do your part to stave off a climate crisis!

Culture Code author Daniel Croyle reveals what leaders can learn from MIT’s strategy of using “vulnerability loops” to clinch their success in the “Red Balloon Challenge.”

Many managers fear overpraising employees. But Carol Dweck believes that praise can cultivate resilience and a growth mindset in the workplace. Learn her seven tips for effective praise:

Researchers have learned that individuals who score low in logic and competence often score high in confidence about what they think they know. Author Adam Grant calls this “the peak of Mount Stupid.” Thankfully, he offers some timely advice about how to find solid ground.

Autopilot can be especially dangerous in high-pressure workplaces, like hospitals, airfields, Wallstreet, or emergency services. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution that can reduce human error caused by autopilot: The mighty checklist.

Seasoned startup exec Jonathan Munk joins BookClub to amplify the power of books to change the vector of teams, companies, groups, and societies.

Grit (a combination of perseverance and passion) predicts success better than talent, credentials, and even intelligence. And grit can be cultivated, using four key strategies.

Learn five strategies from Dr. Carol Dweck to help you chip away at a fixed mindset and embrace growth in the workplace.

Keeping a collection of positive memories and experiences (or “cookies”) can provide a sweet reward to help you persist through challenges. David Goggins, author of Can’t Hurt Me, shares how to use his game-changing “Cookie Jar Method.”

We can still reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Bill Gates’ three-pronged plan from How to Avoid a Climate Disaster offers a clear path forward.

Ready to cut through the BS and pave the way to healthier communication with your employees? Keep reading to learn the nine steps leaders can follow to build a culture of radical candor.

Does the idea of throwing your ten-year plan out the window sound crazy? Think Again author Adam Grant shares three important pitfalls that hyper-planners may not have considered.

Mindset author David Goggins shares five ways that anyone can make failure a stepping stone to ultimate success.

Learn how you can turn your bathroom mirror into an agent of change and self-reflection for greater accountability.

In his bestselling book Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins challenges readers to question conventional wisdom about strength and success. Learn how your flaws can actually push you to greatness!

How does anyone learn to find common ground and explore new ideas, in an increasingly polarized world? Think Again author Adam Grant reveals how readers can “release their inner Tony Robbins” and master the art of persuasion using a technique called “motivational interviewing.”

Trying to reach a goal can feel like a hike through the wilderness: After a few miles, all the trees start to look alike. Are you walking in circles? Are you lost? Daydreaming about your destination won’t help you reach it. But tracking your progress will.

According to Daniel Croyle, author of Culture Code, the heart of a cohesive team is belonging. Learn the three pillars of belonging and six key strategies for greater team cohesion.

Grit, a combination of passion and perseverance, is the best predictor of success across different industries and situations. This top quality of successful individuals is even more important than intelligence, talent, and credentials!

With a little reframing, critical feedback will feel less like shrapnel and more like a snow globe, offering new perspectives and insights. Use these tips to stretch your fixed mindset into a growth mindset!

Cohesive teams accomplish more together than any individual could shoulder alone. Leaders can cultivate more cohesive teams by getting intentional about fostering vulnerability, trust, and more effective communication with these tips from Daniel Coyle, author of Culture Code.

Social psychologists know that debating facts and arguments rarely changes anyone’s mind. So what does? Persuasion. Learn Adam Grant’s seven tips for mastering this powerful tool of negotiation and influence.

Subvert the story of “I don’t have time” and succeed at building new habits with the “Two-Minute Rule,” one of the most powerful tips for banishing procrastination.

As humans, we tend to believe our identity is fixed - predetermined before we ever had a say. You might shy away from your dream of running marathons, or resign yourself to always being a midnight snacker because that’s “just who you are.” But what if your identity wasn’t a foregone conclusion? What if you could become a different person through a series of small acts over an extended period of time?

Boundaries in work-life balance, business, and life in general are a hot topic—especially for women in business. Most of that conversation revolves around the word no—which is understandable given how much most of us have on our plates.

Trying to get a slippery habit to stick? These four tips act like superglue in helping you create a new routine, behavior, or even identity.

Meet our favorite book influencer and learn about her new club, Black Like We Never Left.

Join us for a candid conversation about Johnson's writing process and her book's key takeaways on creating a culture of learning and growth.

There’s little debate whether practice builds skills. But regardless of what skill you’d like to develop, “deliberate practice” can help you get there more effectively!

Celebrate Asian/Pacific American heritage the rest of the year with our favorite reads.

Learn how to identify and cope with imposter syndrome—and how leaders can create safer, more inclusive environments.

When Todd Bol’s mother, a school teacher and a lifelong lover of books died in 2009, he knew that he had to honor her in a way that fit her legacy.

Use our discussion questions in your own book club or answer as you read.

Explore the world of Julia Alvarez' Afterlife with discussion questions that guide you through the book.

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with some of our team's favorite bookshops.

Read along with our questions or use them in your own book club.

Learn how to promote mental health at work for yourself and others.

Read along with our questions or use them in your own book club.

Learn about our new enterprise solution for developing and aligning teams.

Learn key takeaways from Covey's beloved bestseller, including how to apply them at work and beyond.

Foster discussions about Minda Harts' approach to healing racial trauma at work.

Freshen up your book collection with our go-to tips and inspiration.

Celebrate International Women’s Day with an excerpt from Arlan Hamilton's final book club pick.

Explore these questions as you read through Rachel Rodgers' empowering book.

Dig deeper into equity and justice with questions about Michelle MiJung Kim's book.

Discover 10 must-reads by classic and contemporary Black authors.

Enrich your reading—or your own book club—with our questions about The 7 Habits.

Spark conversations with our book club questions for Belletrist's March pick.

Learn tips from authors on work-life balance for leaders and employees.

Explore highlights, quotes, and key takeaways from the BookClub FranklinCovey Effective Leadership series. Apply principles and disciplines from some of today's most impactful thought leaders to drive success in your own organization—and life.

Discover contemporary and classic Black-authored books that have been challenged or banned.

Explore key takeaways from some of our featured female authors.

Celebrate Black literature with some of our favorite fiction and nonfiction books, perfect for Black History Month—and every month of the year.

Learn more about venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton's new book club and her first pick: We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers.

Belletrist’s August indie bookstore pick believes that reading and storytelling make us better humans.

Build Your House Around My Body is BookClub + Belletrist’s August pick, and one of the spookiest books you’ll read all year long.

Looking for a gift for your favorite book lover? Try one of our holiday favorites.

Sonya Singh's debut romcom follows the adventures of a woman trying to connect with her South Asian roots. Exclusively on BookClub, Sonya Singh debuts her cover and an excerpt from the book!

Our FranklinCovey BookClub will help you develop all the leadership skills you could ever need.

Looking for easy ways to liven up your summer barbecue? Check out these incredible literary-themed treats.