In 'The Year of Living Constitutionally', A.J. Jacobs embarks on a year-long journey to understand the U.S. Constitution by living as closely as possible to its original meaning. He engages in various adventures such as carrying an 18th-century musket, asserting his right to free speech with handwritten pamphlets, and participating in Revolutionary War reenactments. The book delves into the debates between originalism and living constitutionalism, offering insights into the Constitution's impact on modern American life and the ongoing debates about its interpretation. Jacobs' experiences highlight the benefits and challenges of adhering to 18th-century laws in the 21st century, providing a fresh and entertaining perspective on the Constitution's role in American democracy.
In this book, behavioral scientist Alison Fragale provides powerful insights and practical advice on how women can overcome the tradeoff between likeability and competence in the workplace. She delves into the science behind gender bias and stereotypes, and offers evidence-based strategies to increase status, power, and influence. The book combines rigorous research with actionable advice and impactful stories from a diverse array of women, helping readers cultivate perceptions of warmth and assertiveness to achieve a fulfilling career path.
In this book, Michael Norton discusses the distinction between habits and rituals, highlighting how rituals can imbue our lives with meaning and purpose. Drawing on a decade of original research, Norton shows how rituals play a significant role in various aspects of life, including healing communities, marking life transitions, and driving collective enthusiasm. The book emphasizes the importance of intention and mindfulness in transforming ordinary actions into meaningful rituals.
The Friction Project by Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao focuses on the concept of friction in organizations, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects. The authors provide tools and strategies for identifying, assessing, and addressing friction, including 'friction forensics' and a 'help pyramid.' They delve into common friction troubles such as oblivious leaders, addition sickness, broken connections, jargon monoxide, and fast and frenzied people and teams. The book emphasizes the importance of leaders acting as 'friction fixers' to improve communication, cooperation, and collaboration, and to maintain a productive workplace culture[2][4][6].
In this book, Dr. Kandi Wiens provides a practical guide on how to build resilience and heal one's relationship with work using emotional intelligence. After experiencing a life-threatening health crisis due to extreme stress, Wiens dedicated herself to researching why some people are more resistant to burnout. She discovered that individuals with high emotional intelligence (EI) are better equipped to manage workplace stress. The book offers strategies such as building self-awareness, managing stress triggers, regulating thoughts and emotions, developing healing connections, and recovering from burnout. It includes research, exercises, self-assessments, and real-life stories to help readers positively cope with stress and enjoy healthier relationships with work.
Want to help us improve Behavioral Grooves? Take our listener survey here!
Looking for your next great read? We’ve got you covered!
It’s time for our annual Best Books episode, where we share the standout reads that inspired and informed us this year. We’ve organized our picks into four categories—Leadership, Work Life, Relationships, and Critical Thinking—to help you find the perfect book for your personal or professional journey.
Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical insights, or even a last-minute gift, this curated list has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the year’s most impactful reads and get ready to turn the page on some life-changing ideas!
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Topics
[0:00] Welcome back to Best Books!
[2:37] Best Books for Leadership
[11:56] Best Books for Work Life
[19:23] Best Books for Relationships
[30:05] Best Books for Critical Thinking
[43:18] Wrap up - Happy Holidays from Behavioral Grooves!
©2024 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Both and Thinking by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis
The Friction Project by Huggy Rao and Robert Sutton
Likable Badass by Alison Green
Is Your Work Worth It? by Christopher Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas
Burnout Immunity by Kandi Wiens
The Ritual Effect by Mike Norton
Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick
The Laws of Connection by David Robson
12 Questions for Love by Topaz Adizes
May Contain Lies by Alex Edmonds
You Only Die Once by Jody Wellman
Third Millennium Thinking by Saul Perlmutter, Robert M. Coon, and John Campbell
A Year of Living Constitutionally by AJ Jacobs
Musical Links
Kurt's Song of the Year: Ren - Money Ties
Tim's Song of the Year: Lake Street Dive - Nick of Time
Behavioral Grooves Podcast 
