Team Awkward

In this hilarious second novel in The It Girl trilogy, painfully shy Anna’s awkward adventures continue as she decides to find the “thing” she’ll be famous for. There are good ways of starting school after Spring Break. But hiding in the bathroom after the video of you falling butt-first into a potted plant has gone viral is not one of them. If she’s going to be famous, Anna is determined to find a worthy “thing” to be famous for. Everyone else seems to have one—especially the new girl at school who’s distracting her crush, Connor, with a shared love of art. Luckily sports day is looming and Anna is limbering up! What could go wrong? Do you really have to ask that?

Originally published: London: Egmont, 2015.

Suspended from her job as a promising police officer for firing "one bullet too many", Anne Capestan is expecting the worst when she is summoned to H.Q. to learn her fate. Instead, she is surprised to be told that she is to head up a new police squad, working on solving old cold cases. Though relieved to still have a job, Capestan is not overjoyed by the prospect of her new role. Even less so when she meets her new team: a crowd of misfits, troublemakers and problem cases, none of whom are fit for purpose and yet none of whom can be fired. But from this inauspicious start, investigating the cold cases throws up a number a number of strange mysteries for Capestan and her team: was the old lady murdered seven years ago really just the victim of a botched robbery? Who was behind the dead sailor discovered in the Seine with three gunshot wounds? And why does there seem to be a curious link with a ferry that was shipwrecked off the Florida coast many years previously? Translated from the French by Sam Gordon

Team Being is a book about creative collaboration—what it is, how it works and how to maximize chances of doing it well. The book is built upon years of experience working with thousands of nascent teams from education, business and government where participants were expected to generate results in formations from two to twenty-five people. The book shares complex insights on collaboration combining direct observations of creative teams in action, extensive reviews of ground-breaking research in the field and insights from leaders of professional creative teams. Team Being goes beyond other teamwork books incorporating compelling insights and perspectives from psychodynamics, neuroscience and quantum physics, all of which help to illuminate the often-hidden forces at work in collaborative environments. The more aware leaders are of these forces, the more empowered they are to lead teams by influence rather than blind authority. Learning how to work well with others is an inconvenience, not unlike what grammar is to writing. Teamwork is an essential skill for the 21st century work force, but there is currently no natural, convenient or effective place to learn it in most institutions of education.

In the vein of Quiet and The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth comes this illuminating look at what it means to be awkward—and how the same traits that make us socially anxious and cause embarrassing faux pas also provide the seeds for extraordinary success. As humans, we all need to belong. While modern social life can make even the best of us feel gawky, for roughly one in five of us, navigating its challenges is consistently overwhelming—an ongoing maze without an exit. Often unable to grasp social cues or master the skills and grace necessary for smooth interaction, we feel out of sync with those around us. Though individuals may recognize their awkward disposition, they rarely understand why they are like this—which makes it hard for them to know how to adjust their behavior. Psychologist and interpersonal relationship expert Ty Tashiro knows what it’s like to be awkward. Growing up, he could do math in his head and memorize the earned run averages of every National League starting pitcher. But he couldn’t pour liquids without spilling and habitually forgot to bring his glove to Little League games. In Awkward, he unpacks decades of research into human intelligence, neuroscience, personality, and sociology to help us better understand this widely shared trait. He explores its nature vs. nurture origins, considers how the awkward view the world, and delivers a welcome counterintuitive message: the same characteristics that make people socially clumsy can be harnessed to produce remarkable achievements. Interweaving the latest research with personal tales and real world examples, Awkward offers reassurance and provides valuable insights into how we can embrace our personal quirks and unique talents to harness our awesome potential—and more comfortably navigate our complex world.

The five heroes to have donned the Robin cape and mask find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne come together to discuss the big thing that binds them together: Was being Robin, and Batman’s sidekick, the best choice they could’ve made? But before they can get to the heart of the matter, they’re ambushed by an unknown assailant with a bone to pick with them. She claims to have been the first Robin, and she’s out to prove Batman should’ve never trained any of them. Winner of DC’s Round Robin tournament, as chosen by you, the readers!

Examines the ways that embracing socially awkward situations, even when they lead to embarrassment and self-conciousness, also provide the opportunity to test oneself and to recognize how people are connected to each other.

This collection of short team training interventions addresses team development in these areas: Goals, Roles, Relationships, and Processes. Each workshop includes lesson scripts, flowcharts, and reproducible masters. This easy-to-use resource is focused, effective, and provides exactly what is needed for developing any team.

Dive into the uproarious world of office life with K.D. Gudwerck's "WERK" – a sharp, satirical survival guide for young professionals. In this laugh-out-loud journey, Gudwerck demystifies the chaos of the corporate jungle, offering witty insights and comical strategies to navigate its absurdities. From conquering Monday Madness to decoding the caffeine-fueled rituals of Coffee, Caffeine, and Colleagues, Gudwerck transforms mundane office activities into hilarious escapades. Email Escapades takes center stage, turning the inbox battle into a comedic quest from Inbox Zero to Infinity, while Office Jargon 101 hilariously deciphers the cryptic buzzwords of corporate speak. Bosses, Bloopers, and Blunders expose the quirky dynamics of workplace hierarchy, while Fashion Roulette navigates the perplexing world of office dress codes with a comedic twist. Procrastination Station provides playful tips for avoiding derailment, and Surviving Office Parties and Team-Building Torchers turns social events into laugh-out-loud adventures. Desk Yoga and Stress Ball Strategies become essential survival tools, offering quirky approaches to maintain sanity. The Great Escape explores daydreaming techniques during boring meetings, turning dull gatherings into moments of creativity and mental exploration. Gudwerck wraps up the journey by highlighting Humor as a Career Skill, revealing how laughter can be a secret weapon in the professional arena. With wit and practical advice, "WERK" is the ultimate guide for young professionals to not just survive but thrive in the wild and wonderful world of the office jungle. Get ready for a hilarious ride through the absurdities of corporate life, where a well-timed chuckle might just be the key to success!