When it comes to work these days, we’re expected to do more with less–but is this nose-to-the-grindstone philosophy the best way to run a business? Alarmingly low employee engagement numbers indicate otherwise. So, if pushing everyone harder isn’t the path to productivity, what is?
Supported by the latest research, this eye-opening book argues that our best work is the product of a positive environment. That’s good news for you as a manager. While you can’t personally transform the corporate culture, you can influence the workplace climate and create meaningful and lasting change.
Advocating a steward model of management, “The Optimistic Workplace “reveals how to:
Explore personal and organizational purpose–and align them for astonishing results – Overcome resistance and skepticism Build camaraderie and deepen loyalty Increase intrinsic motivation Help your team find meaning in their work Identify goals collaboratively and track progressAnd more Examples from companies large and small demonstrate how this people-centric focus ignites employee potential, increases innovation, and catapults the organization to new levels of performance.
Far from being a wish-upon-a-star discussion of workplace happiness, this book presents an array of surprisingly simple strategies as well as practical 30-, 60-, and 90-day plans designed to focus your actions and make employee optimism not just a worthy goal–but a real and measurable result.
How and why optimism energizes a workplace culture so that personal growth and professional development can thrive Long ago, Henry Ford suggested, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re probably right.” With all due respect to a positive attitude, however, the fact remains we all need to renew our mental, physical, and emotional energy and that is especially true in today’s highly competitive and increasingly more stressful business world.
Should be required reading for all who lead First, a caveat: I am a fan of Shawn Murphy’s website Switch & Shift. From his writings and our emails, I know we share many common beliefs about the potential for our workplaces to be more humane, optimistic, and joyful. In his recent interview with me about my book Decoding the Workplace, he asked my thoughts on making our work lifes more fulfilling and the importance of meaning. After reading The Optimistic Workplace, I know he has been asking similar questions to many for years…
How Anyone in the Organization Can Make it a Better Place to Work What makes Murphy’s book stand out from many others on a positive attitude at work is that he offers specific, research-based ways for employees at any level of hierarchy in an organization to boost the chances that the culture becomes more positive, productive and meaningful. Considering his long-time work in diverse consulting and observations as the co-leader of the community of thinkers, Switch and Shift, it is not surprising that he has a motherlode of apt examples.