Brain Rules for Work: The Science of Thinking Smarter in the Office and at Home

John Medina

Nov 2021 · Pear Press

About this ebook

How can I keep people engaged during my presentations? What can I do to my office so that I look forward to coming to it on Monday? How can I improve the productivity of our team, our department, our company? Scientists know. Brain Rules for Work by developmental molecular biologist and author Dr. John Medina, explores the various aspects of work through the lens of peer-reviewed science. Having written New York Times bestselling works Brain Rules, Brain Rules for Baby and Brain Rules for Aging Well, Dr. Medina turns his expertise towards the professional world, guiding us through what brain science and evolutionary biology have to say about topics from office space and work/life balance to power dynamics and work interactions in the time of COVID-19. Medina's charming descriptions and hilarious anecdotes break the science down to practical applications that you can put into use next Monday to improve your work life and the work lives of those around you. You'll learn: Why taking breaks in nature during the workday improves productivity How planning a meeting beforehand makes it more effective Why an open office plan isn't a good office plan How a more diverse team is a more potent team What exactly about talking to co-workers online is so exhausting Why allowing for failure is vital to a company's success What power can do to an executive who has just been promoted Procrastination is not due to laziness, rather an avoidance of negative feelings Which personality tests will help you find the right fit for the job-hint: it's not the Myers-Briggs The surprising source of a leader's charisma And what our work lives will look like in a post-pandemic world Whether you are an employee at a company looking to become successful or an executive who wants to ensure the success of your employees, Brain Rules For Work is both a useful tool and a compelling guide for you and your co-workers.

About the author

DR. JOHN J. MEDINA, a developmental molecular biologist, has a lifelong fascination with how the mind reacts to and organizes information. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School" -- a provocative book that takes on the way our schools and work environments are designed. Medina's book on brain development is a must-read for parents and early-childhood educators: "Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five." His latest book in the series is "Brain Rules for Aging Well: 10 Principles for Staying Vital, Happy, and Sharp." Medina is also the author of Attack of the Teenage Brain: Understanding and Supporting the Weird and Wonderful Adolescent Learner. Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his family.