Performance World

As humans, we often wonder about our heroes’ (and, perhaps, our enemies’) opinions on the most assorted of topics. Mark Twain’s speech “Cigars and Tobacco” serves to satiate such curiosities. In it, he details his storied history with those two substances and his search for the “worst cigar in the New York Market.” It’s a brief treat for anyone who’s ever wondered about Twain’s tobacco consumption, or simply wants to read some miscellaneous wit from this literary master.

Better executive health drives business performance and a stronger society. For the experienced manager as well as manager in training, business school professor, and executive coach; Steven P. MacGregor helps you leverage this truth in your life and your business. MacGregor shares breakthrough insights and techniques he's honed through seven years of pioneering the world-renowned Sustaining Executive Performance (SEP) program and working with thousands of top executives worldwide.

In How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World, Neil Irwin, senior economic correspondent at the New York Times, delivers the essential guide to being successful in today’s economy when the very notion of the “job” is shifting and the corporate landscape has become dominated by global firms. He shows that the route to success lies in cultivating the ability to bring multiple specialties together - to become a “glue person” who can ensure people with radically different technical skills work together effectively.

For decades people have been told the secret to success is a good education. But is it true? Many of the biggest names in the business world today never received a college degree. After much research and thought, Steve Lover concludes that confidence is the most important characteristic to determine success. However, even more important than developing your own confidence is the ability to ignite your employees’ confidence. The leader who knows how to do that creates a different kind of organization.

In this book, Miguel Núñez points us to Scripture and experience to show us how being is more important than doing. He teaches us how to cultivate the foundations of our lives, so that we can be what we need to be, in order to do what we need to do.

Dr. Bill Thierfelder knows what it takes to win. As a student at the University of Maryland he dominated the high jump, winning fame as an All-American and Irish national champion. Later he earned his doctorate in sports psychology. He became a private coach and mentor to the world's top athletes...and revealed to them his hard-won secrets for success.

Outperforming leaders are not born; they’re made. They hold exceptionally high standards, are able to persevere through change and conflict, and have the ability to consistently get the best out of others in working toward a common, shared goal. Outperform for Leaders is backed by sound science and research, dispels the myths around leadership, and details on what transformational leaders do differently - and better - to raise the “game” of others.

In today's over-wired world, we are expected to be always on and always connected, but this approach has consequences. Workplace engagement is at an all-time low, and complaints about work-life balance are at an all-time high. In the quest to optimize while restoring balance, more people than ever before are now embracing flow. Create More Flow introduces the concept of flow, offers compelling evidence for its impact, and provides actionable strategies.

Why are the New Zealand All Blacks the best rugby team in the world? How does the Kirov Ballet produce generation after generation of exceptional ballerinas? How did Southwest Airlines evolve from being an idiosyncratic Texan airline to become one of the most successful businesses internationally? How does the Finnish School Education System deliver great results by breaking conventions? Powerhouse uncovers the performance secrets of some of the most impressive organizations around the world and reveals the key principles they have in common....

When Denver Mayor Michael Hancock took office in 2011, he inherited an $80 million budget shortfall and a government workforce that had been through multiple rounds of cuts and furloughs. Morale was low. He needed a way to drive greater efficiencies, cost savings, and improved performance - and he had to do it in-house, on a shoe-string budget. Enter Peak Academy, the coaching and innovation program Mayor Hancock created to teach frontline city employees how to tackle small problems and deliver big results.

When there really did seem to be more stars in Hollywood than in heaven, Hollywood Stage had them performing films as radio plays - on the sponsor's dime, of course. Classic films now become audiobooks, with many featuring the original stars from way back when. Here's War of the Worlds starring Dana Andrews and Pat Crowley.

"E Johnny prese il fucile" è un audiodramma in teatro: ogni spettatore, dotato di radio-cuffia, ha vissuto l'esperienza sonora ed emotiva della dimensione acustica, immergendosi nella narrazione in modo totalizzante. Un doloroso monologo amplificato nella sua potenza dall’impiego del microfono binaurale: questa forma di ripresa sonora è impiegata in particolare dal mondo musicale e da qualche anno anche per la registrazione di radiodrammi. Il palco si è trasformato in uno studio radiofonico e la luce rossa della registrazione è accesa.

A dramatized, abridged performance of Alice in Wonderland with Eva Le Gallienne, Bambi Linn, and Margaret Webster.

Lord Rufford has kissed Arabella twice but she realises that much more needs to be done to win him and his estate. It is now time to tell John Morton she no longer wants to marry him? Starring Robert Glenister, Anna Maxwell Martin, Barbara Flynn, Blake Ritson, Stuart Milligan, Joanna David, Daniel Rabin, Penelope Rawlins, Carl Prekopp, Henry Devas, Elaine Claxton, Joanathan Forbes, Jane Whittenshaw, and Sean Baker. Directed by Tracey Neal. Dramatised by Martyn Wade.

Rollicking and informative, Reprehensible: Polite Histories of Bad Behaviour is your guide through some of the most shameful behaviour indulged in by humanity’s most celebrated figures, as told by Mikey Robins, one of Australia’s most loved comedians.

Alan Titchmarsh is known to millions through the popular BBC TV programmes Ground Force and Gardener's World. Now you can enjoy an amusing, informative, and entertaining evening with the Gardening Broadcaster of the Year. Alan talks about his life and career, tells hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes, reads some of his favourite stories and poems, and, of course, gives useful advice about gardening.

If you're one of those people who loves a good rant then this e-book is for YOU. Dave rants about everything you can think of including: City Link, the NHS, Car parks and bosses.

The problem with us Christians is that we're so busy wringing the last drop of fun out of what the Bible calls "joy" that we scarcely notice when God gets a kick out of something. Therefore, in the interest of sanctifying our sense of humor before we forget we have one, welcome to Pulpit Fiction: A Record of Clerical Errors and Amusing Grace, a gallery of ecclesiastical boo-boos, biblical blunders, and pastoral faux pas.

Kevin Engle has been entertaining people for 10 years with his “Engle’s Angle” column and its humorous look at our everyday lives. In The Best of Engle’s Angle, a collection of more than 100 favorites, you’ll know why he doesn’t want to shake hands with people in church. Plus, meet a dentist who does play-by-play commentary while checking your teeth, and watch out for office coworkers when there’s free food.  

You have a story that matters. Your story is part of your purpose, given to you for a reason and intended to serve a bigger purpose. Your story is a gift, and gifts are meant to be shared.