Skillsoft Labs
Readable Solutions Highlights for September 2024
“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
HAPPY SEPTEMBER!
In today's competitive business culture, the ability to think critically and solve problems effectively is paramount to achieving success. While many strategies exist to cultivate these skills, one often overlooked yet profoundly impactful method is reading. Whether through literature, industry-specific publications, or thought-provoking articles, reading has the power to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, fostering a more adept and innovative workforce.
READING ENHANCES ANALYTICAL SKILLS Reading a wide variety of publications allows individuals to encounter various perspectives and scenarios, which broadens their cognitive framework. By engaging with complex narratives, readers are compelled to analyze characters' motivations, predict plot developments, and understand underlying themes. This analytical process mirrors the critical thinking required in corporate environments, where employees must evaluate multiple facets of a problem before making informed decisions. Additionally, reading industry-specific publications keeps employees abreast of the latest trends, challenges, and innovations within their field. This continuous learning journey enables them to draw parallels between their reading material and real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to approach problems from multiple angles and devise well-rounded solutions.
READING PROMOTES EMPATHY One of the less obvious benefits of reading is its ability to cultivate empathy. When employees read stories about others' thoughts and situations, they learn to see the world through different lenses. This empathetic engagement is crucial in a corporate setting, where understanding colleagues', clients', and stakeholders' viewpoints can lead to more effective communication and collaboration. Empathy fostered through reading helps in problem-solving by allowing employees to predict potential reactions and outcomes based on an understanding of human behavior. This foresight is invaluable when negotiating deals, managing teams, or addressing customer concerns, as it leads to more nuanced and effective strategies.
READING STIMULATES CREATIVITY & INNOVATION Creative problem-solving is a cornerstone of corporate success, and reading is a fertile ground for cultivating creativity. Exposure to imaginative worlds, innovative ideas, and unique writing styles stimulates the brain, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. Employees who read regularly are often better equipped to generate novel solutions and think creatively about corporate challenges. The mental flexibility gained through diverse reading experiences translates into a workforce capable of approaching problems with a fresh and innovative mindset.
READING IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION & FOCUS Making reading a habit enhances cognitive function and focus, both of which are essential for critical thinking and problem-solving. The process of reading requires concentration, attention to detail, and memory retention. These cognitive exercises strengthen the brain's ability to process information efficiently and maintain focus on complex tasks.
In a corporate setting, where distractions are rampant, the ability to focus and think critically is a competitive advantage. Employees who are habitual readers often exhibit improved concentration and cognitive endurance, enabling them to tackle intricate problems with greater efficacy.
As the corporate world continues to evolve, the timeless practice of reading remains a powerful tool for cultivating the intellectual agility and creative prowess needed for sustained success. Therefore, leaders who recognize and promote the value of reading within their organizations are likely to see a marked improvement in their team's performance and problem-solving capabilities.
If you'd like to learn more about leveraging the power of reading to develop and improve upon your other Power Skills, check out this month's OFF THE SHELF Read a Book bookshelf!
This newsletter features new releases and a roadmap for the next three months. It includes information about our monthly book club selections and bookshelves, occasional publisher updates, and other book-related news. As you browse through this month's new releases, I invite you to keep finding new ways to incorporate our Readable Solutions into your learning path.


WHAT’S NEW?
We add new content daily and remain committed to offering best-in-class content from our valued publisher partners. Check out some of these recently released books, MIT SMR articles, audiobooks, book summaries, and audio summaries, and add them to your reading list today!

OFF THE SHELF book club

The relationship between dependability and attention to detail is closely intertwined. A person with a keen eye for detail is more likely to produce reliable and consistent results. By being dependable, others can rely on them to consistently deliver what is expected. Attention to detail helps to prevent mistakes and errors, which in turn leads to increased dependability and trustworthiness. This month, OFF THE SHELF is featuring a bookshelf of resources to help you ensure that you produce reliable and consistent results, gain the trust of others, and minimize errors and mistakes.

International Literacy Day raises awareness about the importance of literacy and education in driving development and social participation, while also highlighting remaining challenges in ensuring universal access to education. To honor International Literacy Day 2024, OFF THE SHELF is featuring a bookshelf to align with this year’s theme of promoting multilingual education by celebrating and fostering inclusivity within your multicultural community.
Visit OFF THE SHELF today to leverage the discussion questions for any of these bookshelf selections.
Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference by Guy Kawasaki and Madisun Nuismer |Wiley, © 2024

Ever wonder what sets people like Steve Wozniak, Stacey Abrams, Mark Rober, and Jane Goodall apart? Why do some people seem to eat, sleep, and breathe “awesome?” In Think Remarkable, tech titan Guy Kawasaki teams up with Madisun Nuismer, producer of the Remarkable People podcast, to share invaluable knowledge from more than 40 years of working with game-changing organizations and delivers insights from a collection of amazing interviews that'll kick you into high gear and get you ready to start showing the world your best, most amazing self.
Think Remarkable is available on Percipio as a digital book and an audiobook.