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We are still human [and work shouldn't suck!]
Does your job make you feel worthless, miserable, depressed and anxious, sick to your stomach, suicidal, angry?
When the authors, Brad Shorkend and Andy Golding, typed in the words ‘my job makes me’ on Google these are prompts they received because so many people had previously searched all of these that Google assumed they were going to as well. Consider how many millions of people need to have typed in these particular statements relating to their jobs for this to occur?
Are you feeling uncomfortable as you read this? Either because you feel the same way, or because you lead, own or work in a business full of people and if you’re brutally honest with yourself you may realise that this is quite possibly exactly how they feel.
Engagement surveys and culture assessments aside, do you really, truly, honestly know what experiences the people inside your business are having? Do you have any tangible or quantifiable measure for how much this may be enhancing or diminishing your business bottom line?
Most importantly, do you know what to do to meaningfully impact this? To create that work doesn’t suck! (step 1) And even better, is AWESOME! (step 2).
Brad Shorkend and Andy Golding are the co-founders of Still Human. They help businesses around the world remain relevant by creating exceptional employee experiences and being innovation-ready always. Your mission is to now inhale, and then digest the concepts, ideas, models, mutterings, stories and tactics on the pages of We Are Still Human, and become a CBA, a Company Behaving Awesomely.
When the authors, Brad Shorkend and Andy Golding, typed in the words ‘my job makes me’ on Google these are prompts they received because so many people had previously searched all of these that Google assumed they were going to as well. Consider how many millions of people need to have typed in these particular statements relating to their jobs for this to occur?
Are you feeling uncomfortable as you read this? Either because you feel the same way, or because you lead, own or work in a business full of people and if you’re brutally honest with yourself you may realise that this is quite possibly exactly how they feel.
Engagement surveys and culture assessments aside, do you really, truly, honestly know what experiences the people inside your business are having? Do you have any tangible or quantifiable measure for how much this may be enhancing or diminishing your business bottom line?
Most importantly, do you know what to do to meaningfully impact this? To create that work doesn’t suck! (step 1) And even better, is AWESOME! (step 2).
Brad Shorkend and Andy Golding are the co-founders of Still Human. They help businesses around the world remain relevant by creating exceptional employee experiences and being innovation-ready always. Your mission is to now inhale, and then digest the concepts, ideas, models, mutterings, stories and tactics on the pages of We Are Still Human, and become a CBA, a Company Behaving Awesomely.
272 pages, Paperback
Published December 18, 2018
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 25, 2019
If you're working in tech, or a hyper-growth company this is the book that you should be reading if you care about the future of work, or want to be a progressive org.
TL;DR: These guys have decided on a method of 12 things to do to be a progressive, future of work company. They're logical and no-nonsense. You can use this to set company values, decide on your team's way or working, and make sure you're not falling behind the trend.
They have done relevant, bar-raising comparisons to companies that are actually worthwhile speaking about when talking about future of work - you'll come across GitHub, Netflix, the type of examples you'd hope for. But then they're also abstract and practical and give you everyday examples that don't have to do with work but help you to relate to the step.
My favourite part is they challenge conservative thinking with a character. And say "don't be Ralph!". This is a very soft way on calling you out on typical bias.
Best business book I've read in a long time.
Jessie / head of people @ pleo
TL;DR: These guys have decided on a method of 12 things to do to be a progressive, future of work company. They're logical and no-nonsense. You can use this to set company values, decide on your team's way or working, and make sure you're not falling behind the trend.
They have done relevant, bar-raising comparisons to companies that are actually worthwhile speaking about when talking about future of work - you'll come across GitHub, Netflix, the type of examples you'd hope for. But then they're also abstract and practical and give you everyday examples that don't have to do with work but help you to relate to the step.
My favourite part is they challenge conservative thinking with a character. And say "don't be Ralph!". This is a very soft way on calling you out on typical bias.
Best business book I've read in a long time.
Jessie / head of people @ pleo
June 15, 2025
This book finally explained to me why I’ve never had a real job. I don’t like taking instructions from people with positional power who don’t care about the human potential embedded in employees.
The authors point out, repeatedly that all people are hives of ideas and should never ever have those ideas shut down by authority - regardless of how good or bad those ideas are. I love the G.A.S concept (give a shit). People’s ideas, challenges and inputs really do matter, should be recognised, encouraged and accommodated and not swept aside since that’s when people produce stunning results - when they feel valued and appreciated. Their motivation is simultaneously released - to do even better.
The principle that being part of something where the shared goal is greater than anything else explains the chief motivator behind employee loyalty and stickability.
I was impressed by the power of challenging assumptions and getting down to the nitty gritty of what employees are really feeling. The very act of caring about how people feel is one of many reasons why leadership of any organisation would be better leaders by reading this book, and then dipping back into it periodically.
This book is quirky, rich in wisdom and beautifully complied. And - I agree entirely. Work shouldn't suck at all.
The authors point out, repeatedly that all people are hives of ideas and should never ever have those ideas shut down by authority - regardless of how good or bad those ideas are. I love the G.A.S concept (give a shit). People’s ideas, challenges and inputs really do matter, should be recognised, encouraged and accommodated and not swept aside since that’s when people produce stunning results - when they feel valued and appreciated. Their motivation is simultaneously released - to do even better.
The principle that being part of something where the shared goal is greater than anything else explains the chief motivator behind employee loyalty and stickability.
I was impressed by the power of challenging assumptions and getting down to the nitty gritty of what employees are really feeling. The very act of caring about how people feel is one of many reasons why leadership of any organisation would be better leaders by reading this book, and then dipping back into it periodically.
This book is quirky, rich in wisdom and beautifully complied. And - I agree entirely. Work shouldn't suck at all.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews