We can’t all be nonconformists at every moment
Hello Uncommoners,
Here's your random dose of intrigue — a collection of content, ideas, and resources that I've recently found mind tingling. Consume, skim, or skip at your leisure. Enjoy.
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QUOTED:
“Confidence doesn’t come from knowing you’re right — it comes from being okay with failing.” – Mike Monteiro of Mule Design
“It’s true that every leader needs followers. We can’t all be nonconformists at every moment, but conformity is dangerous — especially for an entity in formation. If you don’t hire originals, you run the risk of people disagreeing but not voicing their dissent. You want people who choose to follow because they genuinely believe in ideas, not because they’re afraid to be punished if they don’t. For startups, there’s so much pivoting that’s required that if you have a bunch of sheep, you’re in bad shape.” – Adam Grant via First Round (My 2 Cents: Whether you own the business or want a job at a business, you’ve heard me say time and time again that being “original” in some way is the only real job security. This article has many gems about how to hire Mavericks and if you’re looking for an excellent job, how companies are seeking top performers out.)
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INTERESTING READS:
The War on Stupid People, via The Atlantic
+ The rebuttal by NY Mag, The Science of Us: Are We in the Midst of a ‘War on Stupid People’?
An interesting thought: How well does the post-recession world scale? via Marginal Revolution
There’s a better way to get smarter than brain-training games via Aeon
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FASCINATING FACTS:
What happens to teen smoking rates when you legalize pot? “The survey shows marijuana use has not increased since legalization, with four of five high school students continuing to say they don’t use marijuana, even occasionally,” the Colorado health department.
Study finds that giving raises does not motivate employees nor increase talent retention.
49 percent of tech-steeped millennials said they successfully unplugged while on vacation, compared to only 37 percent of 40- and 50-somethings. Read more.
MARVELOUS MEDIA:
Sherlock — featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman: Just ask my wife; I am admittedly obsessed with this show. My brazen assumption: If you enjoy this blog and also have Netflix, I think, you too, will enjoy this show. It’s a fantastic modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character/s. Think Sheldon from Big Bang Theory meets Law & Order. Although clearly fictional, it is incredibly inspirational to see a human mind function on such a high level of genius. While improbably executed, Sherlock’s character can still serve as a fun psychological model to bring to your daily human interactions. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Hope you enjoyed this eclectic collection of brain food. Every UM newsletter is slightly unique and may include intriguing quotes, interesting reads, recommended resources, cool products, and other fun surprises.
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Stay uncommon,
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