Shawn Murphy > Quotes

“We long to feel good about our work. In his brilliant way of writing, Studs Terkel explained over 40 years ago what people wanted from their work efforts: “It is about a search, too, for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying. . . . To be remembered was the wish, spoken and unspoken, of the heroes and heroines of this book.”2”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“But primarily, the evolution of management is stewardship. A steward takes her responsibilities to guide, coach, mentor, and lead her team with awareness of how her presence helps and hinders. A steward doesn’t manage. She inspires. She motivates. She inquires. She notices. She supports. She partners. Supervisor Larry Robillard of Zingerman’s explained that his role is to facilitate greatness in his people through his actions and words.4 This isn’t an arrogant statement. It’s delivered with genuine care for people.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“You are the steward of your people, of resources and time, and of the business. The subtle shift is in the focus. It isn’t about the control you flex, the dominance you project, or the power you wield. It’s about purposefully crafting a work environment that allows the human side of business to flourish. The shift is in caring for people in a way that improves their lives and positively influences the value they create for your organization. In a way, this book is about our human nature and the rich insights it holds to positively influence people and business.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“What is workplace optimism? If you think it’s viewing the proverbial glass half full through rose-colored glasses and thinking positive thoughts, you’re mistaken. It is more than a positive attitude. Workplace optimism shapes attitudes. It shapes a person’s and even a team’s spirit. It is the spark that fuels esprit de corps. It evokes positive emotions in team members toward their work and others. Workplace optimism is a characteristic of climate. The climate feels optimistic. People are inspired by their work and the possibilities inherent in it. Workplace optimism is the belief that good things will come from hard work. Research shows that you can transform the work experience by focusing on the best positive potential realities.9 Rather than spend time focusing on what’s wrong or missing in the workplace, you can choose to focus on what’s right and possible in the workplace. Rather than ignoring the climate, you can observe how it’s influencing work quality and relationships. You can transform the work experience by simply recognizing and leveraging human nature.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“Gary Hamel writes about stewardship in the opening of What Matters Now. In it he distinguishes stewards as having responsibility for a greater good and not succumbing to the allure of self-interest.3”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“Ostracizing others denies them the ability to be part of the social fabric that is fundamental to our existence, to our survival. In the workplace, this can take on the form of ignoring the new person on the team, or habitually ignoring the contrarian’s perspective. For employees to feel as if they are part of a group, stewards need to intentionally integrate people into the team and connect team members to others throughout the organization.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“The idea of stewardship in business is not mine originally. Peter Block writes about it in his book Stewardship. In it he explains how irrelevant the management actions of controlling, goal setting with the assumption that people can’t set their own, and shifting accountability to the leader for results are outdated and a disservice to employees. Block writes, “People who leave their minds at home and bring their bodies to work will destroy us.”5 This is the epitome of management that no longer serves in the best interest of the organization and its people. More than that, however, is it’s an insult to employees’ intelligence.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“You’ve now read the central elements to an optimistic climate, but what exactly does it look like? Here’s what it looks like when it takes root and positively transforms the work environment:37 1. People anticipate good things will come from their work. 2. Personal and professional goals are achieved. 3. Personal and professional worlds are integrated. 4. People make satisfying progress with their work. 5. Financial metrics are achieved. 6. People are viewed as significant and the heart of success. 7. Values-based leadership guides actions and decisions. 8. Partnership and collaboration replaces hierarchy-driven interactions. 9. Community building is encouraged. 10. Organizational and personal purpose guide decisions. 11. Strengths are maximized. Keep in mind that the vibe in your team is constantly changing. So the conditions listed above may not all be present at the same time. That’s okay. What you choose to focus on based on the needs of your team will influence heavily what emerges as important.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“THE BEST PLACES TO WORK HAVE IT. THE HIGHEST-PERFORMING teams benefit from it. Because of it, individuals thrive professionally and personally—and teams and organizations flourish in our new economy. The “it” I’m referring to? The climate of your workplace. The feeling. The mood. “It” is the chemistry of how you, your team, and your organization work together. The way your workplace “feels” has a tremendous influence on people’s experience, morale, and performance. People thrive in a climate where they feel valued, where they know their contributions are meaningful, and where their core values are closely aligned with the values and character of their employer. Where they don’t feel valued, meaningful, and aligned . . . they just do their jobs. And today, in a world where opportunities to stand out are everywhere and the next killer idea can come from anywhere, “just doing our jobs” isn’t good enough.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“Now I know this might be alarming, especially given that this book is written for those of you pushed and pulled in the middle layer of a hierarchy. I’m not advocating that the work of those once-labeled managers go away. I’m advocating that you fulfill a higher calling than looking over the shoulders of your employees to see that they get their work done. The higher calling that I’m whispering not so quietly into your ear is to create an environment that positions people to do their best work and also become better human beings. I know that some of you will find this book supporting what you’re already doing. In short, you’re not commanding anyone. You’re coming alongside people and learning how best to support them. I believe you’ll find the elements of an optimistic workplace to be a good addition to your leadership repertoire and philosophy.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“When people feel that the work environment is safe, optimistic, and yes, joyful, they are more likely to contribute their best. Quite simply it feels good when you’re doing your best work. As it turns out, joy isn’t just about finding happiness, but also about playing; play at work is useful when creativity and innovation are needed. The usefulness of creativity and innovation to the workplace is linked to increasing employees’ knowledge and skills.21”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“The fervent conversations reveal intelligence, creativity, fun, connection, and even creative disagreements.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“Workplace optimism is simply a place to start to make a difference for your people and for the business. It’s a leadership opportunity that can turn work into a contribution to people’s lives. Additionally, it can positively shape how people view and experience working on your team or in your company.”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone

“A leader with a growth mindset believes that:   Skills come from hard work and can always be improved.   Human potential is unlimited.   Effort is required to expand knowledge and accomplish goals.   Challenges are growth opportunities.   Feedback from the team and peers is necessary for your growth.   Setbacks should be anticipated and used to help make decisions in the future; one should be adaptable to change.15”
― Shawn Murphy, The Optimistic Workplace: Creating an Environment That Energizes Everyone