Winner of the 2020 Bronze Axiom Award for the best career books of the year.
“Bring Your Brain to Work is a glorious mash-up of cognitive science and career counseling. Rich with the latest research, this book reveals what our brains are doing at work—whether we’re looking for a job, beginning a career, or moving on to a new position. Then it distills the findings into smart takeaways you can apply on Monday morning. Use your brain—and read this wise and useful book.”
“Bring Your Brain to Work is a glorious mash-up of cognitive science and career counseling. Rich with the latest research, this book reveals what our brains are doing at work—whether we’re looking for a job, beginning a career, or moving on to a new position. Then it distills the findings into smart takeaways you can apply on Monday morning. Use your brain—and read this wise and useful book.”
—Daniel H.
Pink, author, When and Drive
Few people really understand their own minds or the minds of others.
Over the past decade, there has been increasing attention to what psychology can teach us about work. Research has focused on improving decision-making practices, influencing colleagues, and effective thinking. The problem is, general-interest books on these topics typically include only a smattering of business and career examples, tantalizing readers without providing real, constructive help.
Bring Your Brain to Work changes all that, bringing current cognitive science insight to specific workplace challenges. The book focuses on three elements of success: getting a job, excelling at work, and finding your next position. Professor, author, and popular radio host Art Markman expertly illustrates how cognitive science brings important perspective and insight to each of these elements.
To get a job, prospective employees must understand how employers make decisions when their offices are inundated with resumes. They need to master the practice of getting noticed in this environment and to know how, in an interview situation, to come across as exactly the individual a company wants to hire.
To keep that job, it's critical to understand the basics of mental flexibility. The most successful people in any job are the ones who master the mental challenge of learning every day, and who continuously nurture and develop relationships with colleagues and bosses.
Finally, careers require constant development. At some point, it's crucial to move up or move out, and preparing yourself to do this successfully means addressing a special set of cognitive challenges.
Integrating the latest research with engaging stories and examples from across the professional spectrum, Bring Your Brain to Work will help readers understand themselves and the people around them, providing evidence-based insight and advice on three crucial aspects of success.
Praise for Bring Your Brain to Work
"The book is aimed at job-seekers or job-changers, but it has resonance for anyone thinking about a long-term career."
—Biz Ed Review.
"This is a practical book, integrating the latest research with engaging stories and examples from across the professional spectrum. Bring Your Brain to Work gets inside your head, helping you to succeed through a better understanding of yourself and those around you."
—Edge Magazine
"After
reading this book, you will have a
better understanding of your professional fit, from where you currently
fall in line to where you need to be. You'll be much more in tune with
the people around you, and you'll be able to champion yourself and your
career."
—TD Magazine
"Recommended. Markman draws on cognitive research to offer practical advice regarding career success. He rejects the current “find your passion” approach to careers as being overly simplistic. Most of the book focuses on jobs instead of careers; it maintains a conversational tone to promote audience understanding. The most unique aspect of the book is the weight the author gives to the value of transferable skills learned outside of a formal or informal career path"
—Choice Magazine
You don’t have to be out looking for a job to really enjoy Bring Your Brain to Work. It is filled with answers to so many of the questions we have asked ourselves, or will one day.
—Kiplinger
"In the case of Bring Your Brain to Work, the brain science is real rather than pictorial and cleverly integrated into the typical career trajectory, from getting a job, to succeeding at work and handling setbacks. Markman demonstrates throughout how you should use three brain systems — the motivational brain, the social brain, and the cognitive brain — which are all engaged in the core tasks of “getting a job, excelling at it, and moving on”. He throws in for good measure how to use your “jazz brain” to improvise your way to a fulfilling career.
—TD Magazine
"Recommended. Markman draws on cognitive research to offer practical advice regarding career success. He rejects the current “find your passion” approach to careers as being overly simplistic. Most of the book focuses on jobs instead of careers; it maintains a conversational tone to promote audience understanding. The most unique aspect of the book is the weight the author gives to the value of transferable skills learned outside of a formal or informal career path"
—Choice Magazine
You don’t have to be out looking for a job to really enjoy Bring Your Brain to Work. It is filled with answers to so many of the questions we have asked ourselves, or will one day.
—Kiplinger
"In the case of Bring Your Brain to Work, the brain science is real rather than pictorial and cleverly integrated into the typical career trajectory, from getting a job, to succeeding at work and handling setbacks. Markman demonstrates throughout how you should use three brain systems — the motivational brain, the social brain, and the cognitive brain — which are all engaged in the core tasks of “getting a job, excelling at it, and moving on”. He throws in for good measure how to use your “jazz brain” to improvise your way to a fulfilling career.
—Financial Times--On the list of Best Business Books, June, 2019.
"Much of excelling at work is in the soft skills, the people skills, that largely aren’t taught in a classroom. I could see this book appealing to those who want a more logic-based primer on all the “squishy” parts of working with people, or any job-hunter who appreciates and wants to further understand the marvelous complexity that is the human brain."
—Andersen Library Blog, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
"Much of excelling at work is in the soft skills, the people skills, that largely aren’t taught in a classroom. I could see this book appealing to those who want a more logic-based primer on all the “squishy” parts of working with people, or any job-hunter who appreciates and wants to further understand the marvelous complexity that is the human brain."
—Andersen Library Blog, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
“Every
professional needs this book. Markman has written the perfect primer for being
more effective at work. And the best part? It’s science based!”
—Vanessa
Van Edwards, behavioral investigator, Science of People; author, Captivate
“Bring Your Brain to Work provides the
tools for you to be the CEO of your own career and the author of your own life.
The next chapter awaits.”
—Jeff
Kaye, Co-CEO, Kaye/Bassman International and Next Level Recruiting Training
“Based on
sound research in psychology and cognitive science, Bring Your Brain to Work will help you capitalize on the
motivational, social, and cognitive mental systems critical for your success.
Whether you’re seeking a job, trying to succeed in your current role, or hoping
to move on, Markman’s book will help you stand out every step of the way.”
—Katharine
Brooks, EdD, bestselling author, You
Majored in What?
“In Bring Your Brain to Work, Art Markman
explains what you need to know about your brain to get it to see things
clearly, make better choices, and ultimately get you where you want to go:
where work is meaningful and rewarding.”
—Heidi
Grant, PhD, author, Nine Things Successful People Do Differently
and Reinforcements
“A fantastic collection of insights about how to put your
brain to work when you’re navigating the workplace.”
—David
Burkus, author, Friend of a Friend and
Under New Management
