TLC Book Tour: How We Work

Most people work.  Maybe it's not outside the home, but I can't think of anyone (and I'm racking my brain) who hasn't had a job of some form or another.  So, this book, How We Work, is something that everything can get something from.

Weiss provides some data in the introduction: one-third of workers love their jobs.  51% are "not engaged" - they're just there.  89% of employers say they are having trouble finding employees who have soft skills.  This research doesn't surprise me, but it is disheartening.

How We Work provides Weiss' best advice on how she has transformed work.  She isn't only providing advice to top level executives, her suggestions are ones that anyone can use- and in doing so would they be happier in whatever job they hold and find more fulfillment.

Much of Weiss's book seems to be fairly common sense.  However, even knowing that, the ideas she shares are not ones I am actively practicing myself.  

Weiss talks about a variety of topics relating to work.  One of those is mindfulness - really living in the moment and appreciating where you are and what you are doing.  Another is finding a purpose in your job.  People who view their work as "just a job" are less satisfied than those who believe they have found their calling.  By putting your heart into whatever job you are doing and being positive about your job, you will also benefit.   Weiss gives suggestions for how everyone can make their job into a calling - and even lists some benefits.

A great portion of this book covers the topic of compassion.  Weiss is the founder of Stanford's Compassion Cultivation Program, so the fact that this is in her book is no surprise.  And there are many gems about this topic she shares as well.

Basically, I can't begin to share all the good advice and helpful tips that Weiss' book gives.  I can see employees requiring their workers to read this and setting up book discussion groups centered around this book.  Managers would also get a great deal out of it and be able to use it in their own lives.  

Although this book is centered around the workplace, How We Work is a book we can all benefit from.


Thanks to TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for my review.  All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.