Let’s change the world of work. Together.
Hello,
I’ve been on a mission to change how people do and feel about work since 1999 when I wrote First, Break all the Rules. Labels such as rule-breaker, rebel, revolutionary and radical have followed me – said in both good and bad ways. And that’s okay. Because I know why I do what I do. I believe in people. I believe in breaking systems that are meaningless, and don’t help people express their unique strengths at work. Systems that (to say it bluntly) crush humanity and diminish the unique and individual power of people. And I’m so okay with stirring up the established power structures in the process – if it means putting people ahead of systems.
I’m also deeply committed to helping people LOVE the work they do. Decades of research prove that doing what you love every day is the #1 driver of both engagement and performance. People are most creative, resilient, attractive, happy, and motivated when they play to their strengths most of the time. This is not a belief. It’s the science.
Now, I can either sit in my study and start writing my next book – which, candidly, would be my tendency. Or, I can engage with like-minded people who share in this mission to change the world of work. To craft a more human system. When I think about truly making a difference — to disrupt what needs disrupting, to create positive change — I can do so little, alone with my pen. We need more. More people, committed to a better world of work.
So if you believe what I believe, then join me. Let’s change the world of work together.
This won’t happen overnight. But as a start, I’d love to share some of my research, and raw, unvarnished thinking. My goal is that in six months’ time, we will have created a force of advocates who take a stand for LOVE + WORK — deeply committed to bringing humanity, and true diversity, to our working world.
Own your power, your influence. It starts with you. And moves with us.
More to come.
Love + Work,
Marcus.
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Amazing! Thank you for leading this mission!
So excited that you are taking your mission to the world! My life purpose is about “re-humanizing the workplace,” so very aligned. Looking forward to what’s coming!
Thank you Donna. Very excited to announce what’s next. Have you “joined the movement?” — Please make sure you do!
-Marcus
LOVING your work @marcus. Love the concept of having everyone love their work. I just did standout and some of the comments on my ideal career (as pioneer/stimulator aka boat-rocker) made me laugh out loud, they were just so correct. And so why I’ve succeeded in my career (and not done so well in roles that didn’t fit!!). Out of interest, what are your two strengths roles?
Love this! So inspired by your work ….I share your mision ! 🙂
Good work Marcus! I am in. Thank you for your initiative.
Love this, Marcus! Reserved a conference room and invited a dozen teammates to check out your Facebook Live presentation tomorrow and talk about it!
I am so excited to be part of this. I facilitated a “lunch and learn” years ago using the exploration you did with a group of women on Oprah about finding your strengths in the workplace and it was amazing. I am now in a different workplace and keen to see hwo I can help to make a difference there. Thank you for the work you do!
I first saw Marcus at the 2015 SHRM conference in Las Vegas. From the moment I heard him talking about his son playing a video soccer game (yes, soccer- I’m American!) and how this kid was making staffing decisions faster than I ever could- I was hooked. I love this man’s passion.
Love this. Thank you for leading this mission!
Marcus – you have sold your company, correct? Are they continuing with the Strengths Movement or StandOut too?
What excites me is the movement of changing decades of old practices that do not drive the workforce of today! Kudo’s to you on the new focus and your tools!
I’m holding back the tears. I knew you were a hero, but it’s becoming very obvious lately.
Marcus, I think that there exist many entities – internal to sizable organizations and outside consultancies – who carry this banner of dignifying human work. We are indeed in the minority; yet I think that the movement is growing. I am happy to toss in my lot with you and the people who aspire to the same!
Have a great expectation on what you are going to reveal!
I’ve read all your books (I hope I didn’t miss any) and it changed the way I apply active leadership and employee engagement. Congratulations on your new movement!
4 -10 – times more likely to develop anxiety and depression from unemployment
10-35% – people employed living with a mental health problem
We know work is good for mental health and wellbeing
We know if you have a mental health problem there is improving variability how you are cared for by your manager
Even with the Equalitues Act 2010 in the UK 9, out of 10 people feel discriminated against, particularly in an ethnically diverse culture.
This is why your continued work of Love to Work is so important Mr Buckingham.
Essentially, all individual’s uniqueness is unique – a simplified generalization. Imagine a group of workers employed in a meaningful company has workers like me, if hypotherically speaking (an imaginary situation to create a sharp contrast to test the hypothesis), I am a person with personality disorder and I also have my own unique strengths. Another person in our organisation she altruistic and has many strong and good qualities, not to mention being intelligent and engaged. Yet another person, she likes to see roses in everything and in everyone. Working place should be like the open fields with meadows caressed by the gentle breeze. Yet another person sees that bureaucracy is master of efficiency and her strength is details and control. Yet with another, the way to “win” is manipulation and no information, and yet another, structure. And not to forget in all organisations, self ego, part of human uniqueness reigns. Work + Love ? How
? Everyone loves what they do although some may do for love of self but it is still love.
Great job Marcus.Thank you for looking at what it really takes to be successful as a HUMAN and taping into what makes each of us a special person and contributor to a better WORLD!
And yes, so excited to share your wonderful #LOVEandWORK movement in France. Love+Work, it’s my job too.
I think this is one of the most important paradigm shifts in modern times. Work as something to thrive on and grow with. It’s not about the money, even if we all need that too. First and foremost is the enjoyment of our work, which comes from knowing what gives us enjoyment and being able to apply it in a work context. And, it’s about others supporting us in that endeaver. This is big. Thank you Marcus!
Thanks for articulating what many of us have been advocating for. Working together, perhaps we can reach critical mass.
I help high school students at a career center find a deeper meaning to their career path. My mission statement: I believe that every individual has a passion, a desire, an aspiration, a dream, a glowing ember inside them. I believe I can help those individuals discover their dreams, desires, and passions and then create the conditions under which those dreams, desires, and passions can flourish. I believe that the true gift, the talent, the ability that lies within each person cannot be created but only revealed. I believe that when the individual discovers his or her vocation and then vehemently pursues that passion, their life is forever blessed. Turning passion into a career elevates a person to a higher calling whereby he or she serves others and uses their gift to improve the lives of their neighbor. I believe that if I can in some small way help my students realize their value to the world…help them discover their “why” then I will have fulfilled my moral imperative to my fellow man, made a positive contribution to society, and at the end of my life hear from my creator, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”. I would welcome an opportunity to work with you to see the success in these young people.
Dear Marc,
I just followed your session on the GLS in the Netherlands.
You shared with us the 8 issues important for people in teams, were basically the We and I. Are the andwers. Were can I find more on your website about this answers to the question you put on teams about what they value most?
Thanks
Regards
Bert
Hi Bert – so happy to hear you enjoyed Marcus’s presentation at GLS! You can find those slides on Twitter or on his Facebook. Enjoy!
Hi Marcus, I was at the LEAP conference last week and had the pleasure of listening to your presentation. It was amazing. I’m wondering if there are plans to share more of what you spoke about so I can share with colleagues. Specifically the 10 lies concept. You only dug into one for our key note but I would love to hear you speak to the others soon. I believe you mentioned plans to do so but I missed the details. Thanks.
Hi Marcus,
Now, this is a movement worth joining! I’ve just started listening to LOVE+WORK, took the StandOut Assessment and joined the HBR Leaders Series. I am all in!
Your book, assessment and series are a body of work that needs to get to a broader audience and what a great partnership with HBR. Your love shines through, and the message is so important to reach people that lead, teach, manage, coordinate and are in “charge” of others and their growth.
There are so many nuggets from the first couple of chapters like “Epidemic alienation – separating you from you”, “You have a Wyrd”, “Galaxy of Connection”, and “We’re not empty vessels.” I’m looking forward to sharing more about this in my network. Also, I’m exploring how to make more of this a conversation starter during my coaching calls with Senior leaders.
What’s the short-term vision for LOVE+WORK?
Thanks,
Melanie A. Sears