The Latest from Big Think

Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic, emphasizes that product success hinges not just on quality, but also on consumer perception, including novelty, appeal, and targeting the right audience.

The term "onlyness," coined by marketing expert Nilofer Merchant, highlights that each individual's unique qualities represent irreplaceable value in any industry, setting them apart from the competition.

Collaboration consultant Erica Dhawan argues that while IQ and emotional intelligence were once prioritized, connectional intelligence (CxQ) is now essential for achieving success in the 21st century.

Today’s fast-paced job market requires agility and a new career strategy, as traditional paths of starting at the bottom and retiring with a pension are increasingly rare, according to journalist Neil Irwin.

In this expert class, writer Maria Konnikova explores how Sherlock Holmes's rational sleuthing techniques can be applied to real-world science, enhancing our understanding of memory, creativity, and problem-solving.

In this class, Natalie Nixon, founder of Figure 8 Thinking, explores her 3i Creativity Model, a framework designed to enhance individual creativity and drive organizational innovation for greater relevance and success.

To thrive in a new leadership role, Michael Watkins advises understanding the organization's culture and assessing its needs, which will help you adapt your leadership style and gain support from superiors and team members.

In a complex marketplace, organizations must leverage human potential and overcome challenges in mind sharing through collaborative intelligence, as emphasized by Angie McArthur, to enhance creative problem-solving beyond mere intelligence.

Ian Bremmer advocates for strategic thinking in a rapidly changing world by broadening perspectives, engaging with diverse viewpoints, and understanding root causes, while also stressing the need for personal authenticity and connection to effectively tackle global challenges.

As generative AI sparks diverse opinions on its implications for humanity, Ethan Mollick suggests we shift our focus to understanding AI's capabilities and potential applications, emphasizing experimentation to enhance our skills and foster a responsible partnership with technology.

Former NBA player Shane Battier, known for his resilience and team-boosting skills rather than standout statistics, uses his basketball journey to highlight the fundamental principles of effective productivity regimens.

Restaurateur Will Guidara emphasizes that extending hospitality to employees, alongside customers, fosters a culture of shared values and purposeful communication, ultimately enabling staff to feel valued and perform at their best.

Despite the current excitement around generative AI, Eric Siegel highlights that machine learning has been effectively utilized in business since the mid-80s, emphasizing the importance of aligning technology with business goals to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

Charlene Li emphasizes that instead of mastering specific social media tools, leaders should prioritize engaging their audience through strategic listening, informed priority-setting, and effective communication, as social media platforms will continue to evolve.

Arianna Huffington argues that true success should encompass well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving, rather than just wealth and power, challenging the notion that sacrificing happiness and working excessively defines achievement.

The decades-old movement to diversify workplaces has yielded mixed results, as NYU Law professor Kenji Yoshino suggests that companies often impose restrictive definitions of diversity, and advocates for fostering connections with those who feel pressured to suppress their identities for acceptance.

Behavioral economists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky won the Nobel Prize for mapping the human mind's irrational decision-making biases, and now, with insights from Julia Galef of the Center for Applied Rationality, we can learn to avoid these pitfalls.

The average American works 1,700 hours annually, but Buddhist meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg suggests that instead of reserving relaxation for weekends, we should incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives for greater happiness and connection both at work and home.

Empathy and cooperation are essential for success, as the quality of personal and professional lives hinges on the complexity of relationships, which require effective listening, communication, and conflict management from both parties, according to Todd Davis of FranklinCovey.

Economist Larry Summers suggests that instead of judging decisions by their outcomes, we should evaluate them based on the rational process used to develop strategies, considering all relevant costs, benefits, and consequences.