Bring Your Human to Work Summary

“What truly connects us as humans can also make businesses thrive – authenticity, kindness, and connection.”

1. Authenticity Builds Stronger Workplaces

We often think of professional environments as places where personal identity should be put aside, but this separation can distance us from what makes human connections meaningful. Bringing our authentic selves to the workplace creates not only a more fulfilling environment but also a competitive advantage for businesses. Companies where employees feel free to express their personality have higher retention rates and happier customers.

Ellen Bennett, founder of Hedley & Bennett, built her kitchen apron business by being unapologetically herself. She openly shared her dreams and values, speaking with honesty—even if it was occasionally unpolished. This authenticity resonated with employees, customers, and investors, helping her brand become a global success. When people can relate to the real humans behind a company, their loyalty deepens.

Stories enhance authenticity by turning shared values into memorable experiences. JetBlue effectively uses stories in its onboarding sessions. Employees hear customer testimonials—like a mother describing the crew’s kindness during her son’s medical emergency—that teach corporate values while humanizing the brand.

Examples

• A Harvard study confirms that showing personal identity improves employee and customer satisfaction.
• JetBlue integrates stories of compassion into onboarding, inspiring recruits.
• Hedley & Bennett’s unconventional founder captivates audiences with her “realness.”

2. Technology Should Enable, Not Replace, Humanity

While technology can make businesses faster, overusing it can alienate customers. Striking a balance between tech-enhanced efficiency and human interactions ensures people feel valued. This combination benefits not only customer satisfaction but also employee engagement.

JetBlue exemplifies using technology to prioritize connection. Digital check-ins have freed up crew members to interact directly with travelers needing help. For instance, they can assist a struggling parent or offer support to someone in a wheelchair, creating moments that set JetBlue apart from less attentive competitors.

In New York’s Union Square Cafe, technology operates behind the scenes. Staff use smartwatches to coordinate tasks, which ultimately improves diners’ experiences without interrupting the personal, human feel of a restaurant visit.

Examples

• JetBlue’s tech handles menial tasks like luggage tagging so staff can focus on customer care.
• Union Square Cafe uses smartwatches to streamline service while preserving personal interactions.
• Automated systems make efficiency gains for frequent flyers but allow for human assistance as needed.

3. Purposeful Meetings Foster Connection

With millions of meetings occurring daily, many leave participants questioning their value. Poorly planned gatherings often waste time, but redesigning them with clear goals and meaningful formats can maximize their impact.

Think of a meeting as a reflection of your organization’s values. Mogul, a platform for millennial women, aligns its meetings with transparency by openly sharing financial and performance updates. This keeps employees informed and engaged. Similarly, reconsidering physical space—like replacing rectangular tables with round ones—promotes equality and team cohesion.

Additionally, giving quieter participants space to voice their thoughts balances discussions. Introverts are more likely to contribute when prompted directly, which enriches the meeting with a wider range of views and ideas.

Examples

• American companies lose an estimated $37 billion annually to ineffective meetings.
• Mogul builds trust through transparent updates during team gatherings.
• Research shows small adjustments, like round tables, improve participation and openness.

4. Employee Wellness Benefits All

A workplace that supports physical, mental, and social well-being goes beyond offering gym memberships. Investing in holistic wellness shows employees they are valued and leads to impressive business benefits, from cost savings to reduced turnover.

Vynamic, a consulting firm, exemplifies this philosophy by offering ergonomic office furniture and healthy snacks—and it even allows employees to choose their projects. These measures don’t just improve health; they also yield happier, more engaged workers. Wellness isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategy for keeping talented employees long-term.

When wellness becomes central to workplace culture, organizations often see better performance, higher morale, and significant savings on healthcare. Helping employees thrive leads to a thriving business.

Examples

• Vynamic supports staff with on-the-go wellness perks at client sites.
• A Harvard study found that $1 invested in wellness saves $6 in health costs.
• Vynamic’s unusually low turnover rate—10%—is half the industry norm.

5. Giving Back Makes Companies Better

Making a positive impact in the community strengthens connections within an organization while boosting employee engagement. People want to work for and support companies that have meaning beyond profitability.

Authenticity is key in philanthropic efforts. For example, Mack Weldon didn’t rush into superficial charity campaigns. When the right partner emerged, the company launched a recycling program that reduced waste and served underprivileged communities.

Organizations that engage in meaningful volunteer work report more inspired employees. According to Bain & Company, those actively participating in community projects are three times more productive than uninspired coworkers.

Examples

• Mack Weldon recycles customer-used clothes to provide for those in need.
• More than 75% of Inc.’s best workplaces include time for volunteering.
• Purposeful giving creates bonds between employees and communities.

6. Rest Boosts Creativity and Productivity

Nonstop work might feel necessary to succeed, but taking breaks improves focus, creativity, and morale. Stepping away from routine—even briefly—can spark innovation and prevent burnout.

Studies indicate that periods of relaxation can result in life-changing perspectives. Entrepreneurs who took digital breaks observed improved communication, better energy, and meaningful personal changes. On a larger scale, companies that prioritize vacation time see enhanced performance metrics.

Tristan Walker, CEO of Walker & Company, embraced this mindset by taking significant paternity leave to prioritize family. His company thrived because prioritizing balance translates into long-term growth and loyalty.

Examples

• Employees who take vacations are 6% more likely to get promotions.
• Research shows boredom often sparks new, innovative ideas.
• Walker’s example shows that prioritizing personal life doesn’t conflict with business success.

7. Gratitude Changes Workplace Dynamics

Expressing gratitude at work strengthens relationships and makes team members feel valued. Simple acts of recognition create camaraderie and improve employee engagement.

SoulCycle fosters gratitude with unique symbol-driven interactions. Each employee gets pins to award to coworkers embodying company values. Beyond recognition, daily gratitude meetings at Indagare encourage staff to share personal and professional joys, building deeper connections.

Gallup studies underline the importance of workplace friendships. Employees with at least one good friend at work are more engaged and less likely to leave, cementing the case for promoting appreciation within teams.

Examples

• SoulCycle’s pin system recognizes and rewards teamwork.
• Indagare’s gratitude meetings bring employees closer together.
• Gallup found workplace friendships enhance retention and engagement.

8. Storytelling Reinforces Shared Values

Sharing stories connects employees and demonstrates a company’s purpose in action. These narratives bring abstract values to life for everyone involved.

JetBlue uses impactful customer anecdotes in its training sessions to teach their staff about compassion and service excellence. Stories make abstract principles relatable, proving they’re acted upon daily.

Well-crafted stories don’t just highlight values—they inspire loyalty and pride in employees, customers, and partners.

Examples

• JetBlue’s onboarding includes inspiring tales of customer care.
• Values-driven stories resonate deeply and sustain employee pride.
• Storytelling bridges what’s said and what’s done.

9. Office Friendships Improve Engagement

Encouraging connections between colleagues leads to a happier, more committed team. Proximity plays a subtle but important role in fostering such bonds.

Rethinking seating arrangements can spur interaction. For example, placing different teams close to each other naturally supports collaboration and builds rapport. Developing such relationships reduces loneliness and increases workplace enjoyment.

Strong connections between coworkers decrease turnover. Companies that invest in creating these opportunities often see better team cohesion and morale.

Examples

• Office seating plans, when mixed up, encourage better collaboration.
• Friendships at work directly boost employee retention rates.
• Proximity fosters communication and trust among teams.

Takeaways

1. Encourage employees to share authentic stories that reflect your company’s values.
2. Strike a balance between technological efficiency and personal customer service to create meaningful interactions.
3. Regularly express gratitude at work to foster closer connections and bolster team spirit.