Essays about Practical Risk Ownership were generated from books suggested by a variety of subject matter experts across the U.S. Each essay is about 300 words and connects themes of the books that offer guidance for public service leaders.
Persuasion Science and Practical Risk Ownership
By Ed Thinkletter: Robert Cialdini’s book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion delves into the science behind why people say “yes” and how to apply these insights ethically. The book identifies six key principles of influence—reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity—each rooted in human psychology. Through engaging examples and rigorous research, Cialdini…
Keep readingDiscipline, Commitment, Courage, and Practical Risk Ownership
By Ed Thinkletter: Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea tells the story of Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who faces the ultimate test of endurance, skill, and spirit as he battles a massive marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. The novel’s central themes include perseverance, pride, and the honor found in struggle,…
Keep readingA Modern-Day Parable: The Three Little Pigs and How They Learn
By Ed Thinkletter: Once upon a time, three little pigs set out to build lives of their own. But unlike the traditional tale, these pigs weren’t just constructing houses—they were building their brains. The first little pig, Impulsive Ike, hurried to build his house out of straw. His brain, still under heavy construction, was ruled…
Keep readingOvercoming Resistance, Mindset, Accountability and Relevance to Practical Risk Ownership
By Ed Thinkletter: Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering, by Cameron Hanes, is part memoir, part motivational blueprint. The book chronicles Hanes’ journey from an average individual to a world-renowned bowhunter and endurance athlete. What stands out is his obsessive commitment to self-improvement, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. Hanes doesn’t pretend…
Keep readingEndurance, Empathy, Principled Decisions and Practical Risk Ownership
By Ed Thinkletter: Richard Russo’s Empire Falls is a poignant, character-driven novel that explores the slow decline of a once-thriving New England town and the inner lives of its residents, particularly Miles Roby, a diner manager caught between personal obligation, faded dreams, and the weight of his community’s unfulfilled promise. The central theme of Empire…
Keep readingDear Reader
Ed Thinkletter, our essay writer, is grateful for your interest in these essays. In case you’re wondering about the name, Ed is short for Education…It’s also the first name of an award winning sports announcer who covered the Georgia scene in the 1950s -1970s. Thinkletter is a reminder of the positive influence of Art Linkletter,…
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