First published as a 24-week correspondence course in 1912, and then as a book in 1916, Charles F. Haanel’s “The Master Key System” is a classic work of self-empowerment. A principal text of the New Thought movement, “The Master Key System” describes how one can use the law of attraction to creatively visualize a better life for oneself. As Haanel describes in his introduction to the “The Master Key System”, “Nature compels us all to move through life. We could not remain stationary however much we wished. Every right-thinking person wants not merely to move through life like a sound-producing, perambulating plant, but to develop—to improve—and to continue the development mentally to the close of physical life. This development can occur only through the improvement of the quality of individual thought and the ideals, actions and conditions that arise as a consequence. Hence a study of the creative processes of thought and how to apply them is of supreme importance to each one of us. This knowledge is the means whereby the evolution of human life on earth may be hastened and uplifted in the process.”
American Baptist minister and lawyer, Russell Conwell was the founder and first President of Temple University who is probably best remembered for his inspirational speech “Acres of Diamonds”, in which he puts forth the idea that one need not look elsewhere for opportunity, but rather all the resources for achieving success exist in one’s own backyard. This idea is exemplified in the parable of a man who sells his farm and abandons his family in search of diamonds. His journey takes him far and wide but without success and ultimately defeated by his failure flings himself into the ocean. Later it is discovered that the farm he has sold has a wealth of diamonds below its soil. Additionally in this lecture Conwell asserts his belief that it is not impious to be wealthy for it is not money which is the root of all evil but the love of money above all else. Contained in this little volume is that inspirational speech, “Acres of Diamonds”, along with a short biography of Conwell by Robert Shackleton, and an autobiographical essay on his life as an orator by Conwell himself.
Florence Scovel Shinn was an American artist and book illustrator by trade but she is probably best remembered for her inspirational works of self-empowerment. Shinn’s writings are classic examples of the New Thought movement, a philosophical movement which developed near the end of the 19th century which asserted that the power of God is in all things and that by correctly focusing one’s mind one can both heal oneself and attract success. Shinn began self publishing her works in 1925 with the introduction of “The Game of Life and How to Play It”, in which she argues that the application of certain laws of metaphysics holds the keys to both success and ruin. Shinn’s philosophy can be summed up by the following statement from that work: “The invisible forces are ever working for man who is always ‘pulling the strings’ himself, though he does not know it. Owing to the vibratory power of words, whatever man voices, he begins to attract.” “The Game of Life and How to Play It”, “Your Word Is Your Wand”, “The Secret Door to Success” and “The Power of the Spoken Word” are collected together in this volume.
First published in 1910, “The Science of Getting Rich” is Wallace D. Wattle’s work of the New Thought movement which describes the process by which one can focus one’s mental energies towards the attraction of financial success. As Wattles begins in his preface: “This book is pragmatical, not philosophical; a practical manual, not a treatise upon theories. It is intended for the men and women whose most pressing need is for money; who wish to get rich first, and philosophize afterward. It is for those who have, so far, found neither the time, the means, nor the opportunity to go deeply into the study of metaphysics, but who want results and who are willing to take the conclusions of science as a basis for action, without going into all the processes by which those conclusions were reached.” Wallace D. Wattle’s “The Science of Getting Rich” is the work for which he is best remembered, a classic treatise on achieving financial success through the power of positive thinking.
Hiring new employees is high stakes—and keeping them once they’re on board is equally important. Every hiring manager needs straightforward, practical advice on conducting effective interviews, checking references, bringing new hires on board, and then helping them succeed. The <i>You at Work: Hiring and Keeping the Right People</i> article collection provides best practices and tips on evaluating job candidates, ensuring that new hires get the right start, and navigating sticky conversations around raises and employee poaching. What’s included: (1) a specially curated collection of eight articles from HBR.org on a range of topics, from interviewing candidates to orienting new hires to responding appropriately when an employee has another job offer; and (2) three tools to help you ask the right interview questions, motivate employees though coaching, and give constructive feedback.
Ineffective managers sap motivation and kill productivity. So what do you do if you’ve got a manager who’s incompetent, passive, controlling, or all of the above? It can be tough to find straightforward, relevant, and actionable advice. The <i>You at Work: How to Be Effective with a Bad Boss</i> article collection will help you by outlining specific situations and offering concise step-by-step advice on how to work effectively with a not-so-great boss. What’s included: (1) a curated collection of nine articles from HBR.org with practical advice on a variety of situations, including how to spot a bad manager during a job interview, how to work with a micromanager, and how to motivate yourself when your manager doesn’t; and (2) three tools to help you navigate difficult conversations with your boss, whether you’re bringing up a potential problem or providing feedback around a troubling situation.
Gain insight into the writings of Peter Drucker, one of management’s greatest thinkers, with this digital collection curated by Harvard Business Review. “Managing Oneself,” “What Makes an Effective Executive,” “The Theory of the Business,” “Why Read Peter Drucker,” “What Peter Drucker Knew About 2020,” and “Clay Christensen on Peter Drucker” will help managers and leaders better understand, and manage, the complex challenges they face in our volatile world.
Curated by Harvard Business Review, this digital collection brings together the ideas of leadership expert Robert Steven Kaplan. Successful leaders know that leadership is less often about having all the answers—and more often about asking the right questions. The challenge lies in being able to step back, reflect, and ask the key questions that are critical to your performance and your organization’s effectiveness. What to Ask the Person in the Mirror presents a process for asking the big questions that will enable you to diagnose problems, change course if necessary, and advance your career. In What You’re Really Meant to Do, Kaplan shares a specific and actionable approach to defining your own success and reaching your potential. Finally, in What You Really Need to Lead, Kaplan argues that leadership is accessible to all of us—today—and it starts with an ownership mind-set.
This Harvard Business Review digital collection will give you the confidence and tools you need to write and speak successfully. It includes the HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations, by presentation expert Nancy Duarte; the HBR Guide to Better Business Writing, by writing expert Bryan A. Garner; the HBR Guide to Negotiating, by negotiation expert Jeff Weiss; Failure to Communicate, by consultant and coach Holly Weeks; as well as HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Communication, Giving Effective Feedback, Running Meetings, How to Run a Meeting, and Managing Difficult Interactions.
A year’s worth of management wisdom, all in one place. We’ve combed through ideas, insights, and best practices from the past year of Harvard Business Review to help you get up to speed fast on the freshest, most relevant thinking driving business today. With authors from Clayton Christensen to Roger Martin and company examples from Netflix to Unilever, this volume brings the most current and important management conversations to your fingertips. This book will inspire you to:Lead by focusing your attention on the right thingsImport new management practices into your organization the right way—whether they come from other companies or across the globeBetter manage your organization’s—and your leaders’—timeRethink vital functions such as HR and marketingMove from a yearly planning cycle to building a winning strategyMake long-term organizational decisions with an eye to national and global economic trends This collection of best-selling articles includes:“Beware the Next Big Thing,” by Julian Birkinshaw”The Capitalist’s Dilemma,” by Clayton M. Christensen and Derek Van Bever“The Focused Leader,” by Daniel Goleman“The Big Lie of Strategic Planning,” by Roger L. Martin“Contextual Intelligence,” by Tarun Khanna“How Netflix Reinvented HR,” by Patty McCord“Blue Ocean Leadership,” by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne“The Ultimate Marketing Machine,” by Marc de Swaan Arons, Frank van den Driest, and Keith Weed“Your Scarcest Resource,” by Michael Mankins, Chris Brahm, and Gregory Caimi“How Google Sold Its Engineers on Management,” by David A. Garvin“21st-Century Talent Spotting,” by Claudio Fernández-Aráoz