A Great Place to Work: What Makes Some Employers So Good--And Most So Bad

by Robert Levering

Explains what makes a company a good place to work and offers specific strategies for fostering a positive work environment

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published July 12, 1988

Reviews

[Kim Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a mission to discover what exactly makes some companies great places to work, Robert Levering visited numerous companies, gathering firsthand insights from employees and managers at various levels throughout the organization.

While the vast majority of popular management approaches have been tactical in nature (Levering addresses several, and sheds light on their limitations), the solutions that arise from his own research represent a completely different--and much more foundational--approach. He identifies the elements that don't merely fix problems, but truly contribute to happy, engaged employees, such as trust and open communication. Enhancing the workplace environment in this way, his and other research shows, not only makes employees happier but ultimately leads to a more successful enterprise. A refreshingly original guide to creating a more enlightened workplace.

[Niels Noordzij · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written around 1985, but still, a lot of workplaces don't apply the lessons learned in this book from already 35 years ago. It still holds it's merit being one of the first books that I have read adressing several Management Style problems and limitations, I am now about half way in the book, and it is worth the money and time. I could recommend this book to employees, looking for another employer, or looking to improve their worplace (greatplacetowork.com website is a very interesting addition and helpful tool to this issue! And that's where i first learned about Robert Levering's books.) or, recommend this book to employers, seeking to improve their company from the inside out. Not just to improve on the bottom line for a few years, but to imply some drastic, but important and permanent changes that could tip the balance in their favour too, which creates a win-win for everybody, and do it without going over your own employee's backs.
Trust, consistency, reward, honesty, different approaches and examples are shown in this book, that open your eyes. I think it was far ahead of time, and still is a modern-way of managing masterpiece! The reason why managers from middle and higher cadre don't apply or read these books? Because it works, to have employees join in a participatory management style means 25% of one companies Managers left the company, because they didn't agree with this way of doing things. But all new managers that came to the company were taught this exact new way, and it had a lasting and profound effect on employee morale, involvement in the company, people went the extra maile to create new business, and expand existing business with clients. Existing customers noted an improvement on their side too. There is the example of a driver who was doing acquisition on his own initiative. Very special stuff, which can be implemented in any company if done the right way.

Enjoy the book!

Niels from Holland, Europe.

[Katie]

I happened upon this when shelving books. How ironic that I check out a book on what makes for bad workplaces at the place I work.