February 2018 Curated Reading and Podcasts

Please enjoy the following selection of articles and podcasts. Topics include technology, leadership, health care, investing, fitness, and productivity.

First, de-escalate - Blog post on how to handle stressful situations using de-escalation. Techniques work in business around customer service, negotiations, etc. and also in personal life.

For Better Customer Service, Offer Options, Not Apologies - This is a very interesting podcast on what works with customer service. The net is customer service professionals who focus on finding solutions/options for customers is more effective than one who offers excessive empathy. Even if a solution isn't ultimately realized, the focus on getting it done trumps empathy.

Leo Babauta | Zen Habits - This podcast is a great conversation about achieving great things by modifying habits. I'm very interested in the topic of nudges and triggers and how people or institutions use them to drive behavior. This was my first exposure to Leo but I was very impressed and plan to follow his blog and him on Twitter (@zen_habits).

What if you could turn plastic trash into cash? - This is a really interesting Ted Talk on social capitalism. The idea is customers in third world counties recycle their trash for cash and literally create cash accounts to spend on necessities. The statistics and potential are incredible.

How to Become a C.E.O. - Solid Freakonomics podcast with a who's who of CEOs. There is great advice in this conversation if you are interested in leadership.

Blog of JPC van Heijst - This gentleman is a 747 pilot who takes the most amazing pictures from the cockpit at 37,000 feet. These photos are breathtaking and well worth a look.

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Thanks and have a great week.