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According to studies, we all work for the same thing—and it's not just money.
It's meaning. Through our work, we seek a sense of purpose, contribution, connection,
value, and hope. Digging down to the meaning of work taps our resilience in hard times and
our passion in good times.
That's the simple but profound premise behind this groundbreaking book by
renowned management expert Dave Ulrich and psychologist Wendy Ulrich. They've talked to
thousands of people—from rank-and-file workers to clients and customers to top-level
executives—and synthesized major disciplines to identify the "why" behind our
most
successful experiences.
Using the model of the "abundant organization," they provide you with
the "how" to create meaning and value in your own workplace.
Learn how to:
- Ask the seven questions that drive abundance
- Understand the needs of your customers and staff
- Personalize the work to motivate your employees
- Build and grow your business in any economy
By following the Ulrichs' step-by-step guidelines, you will set off a chain
reaction of positive and enduring effects. Employees who find meaning in their work are
more competent, committed, and eager to contribute—and their contribution will result in
increased customer commitment, which delivers a winning performance on the bottom line.
The Why of Work includes targeted checklists, questionnaires, and other
useful tools to help you turn aspirations into action. Using the proven principles of
abundance, you can coordinate your needs with those of your employers, your employees, and
your customers—and create a vision that resonates for years to come. When you understand
why we work, you know how to succeed.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1 The Case for Meaning 1
Chapter 2 The Making of Abundance 27
Chapter 3 What Am I Known For? (Identity) 53
Chapter 4 Where Am I Going? (Purpose and Motivation) 81
Chapter 5 Whom Do I Travel With? (Relationships and Teams [Th]at Work)
103
Chapter 6 How Do I Build a Positive Work Environment? (Effective Work Culture
or Setting) 125
Chapter 7 What Challenges Interest Me? (Personalized Contributions)
157
Chapter 8 How Do I Respond to Disposability and Change? (Growth, Learning, and
Resilience) 185
Chapter 9 What Delights Me? (Civility and Happiness) 219
Chapter 10 Implications for Executives, Human Resources, and Individuals
243
Appendix: Leadership Challenges and Actions as Meaning Makers 265
Notes 269
Index 277
304 pages, Hardcover