National Network for Equitable Library Service

An inspiring new take on workplace environment and crafting improved employee engagementWhen 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 corporate culture, you can influence workplace climate and create meaningful and lasting change. Advocating a steward model of management, The Optimistic Workplace reveals how toexplore personal and organizational purposes--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 progress; and more. Examples from companies large and small demonstrate how this people-centric focus ignites employee potential, increases innovation, and catapults organizations 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 thirty-, sixty-, and ninety-day plans designed to focus your actions and make employee optimism not just a worthy goal--but a real and measurable result.