It’s Launch Day: Why Are We Here? is Officially Here!
Today marks the launch of my latest book, Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants.
Writing this book wasn’t just an intellectual exercise; it was something I felt. It was an exercise of discovery born out of a deep need to address the seismic shifts in how we work and live and how those intersections have dramatically changed. From burnout to loneliness to disengagement, we’re navigating a workplace that’s more complex than ever. But it’s also bursting with opportunity if we can get it right.
This isn’t just my book—it’s our book. It’s a call to action to reimagine work in a way that brings us together and makes it healthier, happier, and high-performing.
💡 Insights from Leading Experts
Throughout the book, I had the privilege of learning from brilliant thought leaders whose insights elevated every chapter. Here are some of the highlights of just a small list of people I interviewed for the book.
Robin Dunbar head of the social and evolutionary neuroscience group at Oxford, described loneliness as the “scourge of the twenty-first century.” He emphasized that activities like eating and playing together are crucial for building functional social communities. I've been saying that work feels like going to school without art, gym, or recess - Dunbar shares why we need to bring recess back to work and we can show you how.
Adam Grant, organizational psychologist and best-selling author, shared his insights on balancing “freedom from” and “freedom to,” highlighting how autonomy and mutual trust create engaged, motivated teams. Grant along with Alexi Robichaux, CEO of BetterUp also discusses the value of autonomous leadership and how that translates into better business outcomes.
We also tackle the debate about RTO and what is really the ideal based on data and interviews from economists including Stanford Professor, Nick Bloom and University of Pittsburgh Professor, Mark Ma.
Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, pointed to the “global crisis of loneliness” and discussed the importance of workplace friendships in combating disengagement.
Rachel Schall Thomas, co-founder and CEO of LeanIn.Org, provided invaluable perspectives on fostering equity and belonging in workplaces, especially for underrepresented groups.
Anita Williams Woolley, professor at Carnegie Mellon and researcher on collective intelligence, explained how diverse, collaborative teams drive innovation and solve complex problems.
Amy Cuddy, social psychologist and expert on presence, contributed her knowledge on power dynamics and building confidence in leadership.
🔑 Why This Book Matters Now
Whether you’re feeling optimistic about the future of work or stuck in a cycle of burnout and uncertainty, this book is for you. It’s a guide to:
Reestablishing rituals and relational energy that make work fun.
Prioritizing freedom and flexibility as rights, not perks.
Fostering belonging and inclusivity in meaningful ways.
✨ Memorable Work Culture Quotes
Here are some quotes that stand out from the book:
Robin Dunbar: “We have to make the workplace a more functional social community. Eating together, singing together, playing together are how we create friendships and communities.”
Adam Grant: “We’re having an overly narrow conversation about flexibility. It’s all about where we’re going to work. Let’s also ask: What do we want the freedom to do?”
Jon Clifton: “We’re in a global crisis of loneliness, with some 20% of adults worldwide who say they have no one to turn to in their hour of need.”
Amy Gallo, Workplace Expert and Bestselling Author of Getting Along: She shared with me some advice about the value of getting along despite potential differences, "We don’t need to like everyone we work with, but it’s helpful to have productive relationships. The most effective teams have come to terms with the fact that they will disagree and that not everyone is going to be best friends. This has already been established."
Jen Fisher, Cofounder of The Wellbeing Team and host of the WorkWell Podcast: "Compassionate leaders bring people along. They recognize that balancing technology and workforce sustainability is how to achieve future-readiness."
📣 Join the Movement - Launching My Book Club
This book isn’t just about ideas—it’s a call to action. Let’s create workplaces where people can thrive, where innovation and humanity go hand in hand, and where the question “Why are we here?” has an answer that inspires us all.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported this journey. I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories about making work better. Let’s keep the conversation going—and make this the start of something that actually effects REAL change.
🎉 Special Launch Week Incentives for Why Are We Here? 🎉
To celebrate the launch of Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants, I want to make this an extra special experience for you—and create a community around the ideas in this book.
Here’s how you can get involved and unlock some amazing rewards:
📸 Step 1: Buy the Book & Share It on Social Media
Purchase your copy of Why Are We Here? in the next two weeks.
Share a photo of the book on social media and tag me to get exclusive access to the Why Are We Here? Book Club!
In this three-session virtual book club, we’ll break the book into its three parts and dive deep into the strategies for: Part 1: Building Purpose, Empathy, and Optimism. Part 2: Fostering Collaboration, Freedom, and Belonging. Part 3: Recognition and Sustainable Health in the Workplace.
These sessions will include live discussions, behind-the-scenes stories, and actionable insights to help you create a thriving workplace.
✍️ Step 2: Write a Review
If you write a review on Amazon or Goodreads, you’ll get to participate in the book club AND be invited to join my Insiders Club!
As an Insiders Club member, you will receive: A free signed copy of Why Are We Here? Exclusive content: Early access to upcoming projects, special Q&A sessions, first access to the Burnout Guide and the Creating Work Cultures Everyone Wants Guide (both coming soon) and. Giveaways: Free signed books from my updated second edition of Unlocking Happiness at Work and The Burnout Epidemic and special gifts and prizes.
🚀 Make an Impact with Your Post
Your posts and reviews don’t just support the book—they help spark a global conversation about how we can make work healthier, happier, and more high-performing. Let’s spread these ideas together!
📣 Join the Movement
Grab your copy this week, post your photo, tag me, and write a review to get access to these incredible rewards. Let’s make this the start of something extraordinary.
➡️ Grab your copy of Why Are We Here? today and join the movement to transform work for the better.
Get your copy today from your favourite book retailer: HBR.org. Indigo.ca Barnes and Noble.com Amazon.com Amazon.ca