Bring Your Human to Work: 10 Surefire Ways to Design a Workplace That Is Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World: Summary & Key Insights

Everything starts with connection. I often say that relationships are the lifeblood of business. Without them, all the strategies, technologies, and processes are hollow. Yet in our hyperconnected digital world, many of us are more disconnected than ever. The irony is painful: the very tools meant to keep us in touch often distract us from genuine human contact.

In *Bring Your Human to Work*, I explore why connection is not just good for people but fundamental to business success. Study after study shows that employees who feel connected to one another and to their leaders are more engaged, productive, and loyal. Connection fuels creativity because it allows people to take risks and share ideas without fear. It builds resilience because people who trust each other can navigate change more effectively.

But connection doesn’t happen by accident—it has to be designed. Companies like JetBlue and Starbucks have embedded connection into their cultures, from how they welcome new employees to how they handle customer feedback. They understand that connection is a discipline, one that requires intention and daily practice. My message to leaders is clear: we can’t outsource this human work to machines. Technology can amplify empathy, but it can never replace it.

The first human principle is authenticity. To be real at work means to show up fully as yourself—and to create spaces where others can do the same. I’ve seen too many workplaces where people wear masks, afraid to speak honestly or admit mistakes. But sustained trust is built only when people sense that they are dealing with the real you.

In this chapter, I share how companies like Patagonia lead with transparency, openly communicating both successes and shortcomings. Leaders who model authenticity signal that it’s safe for everyone to be human. Authenticity breeds belonging—and belonging fuels engagement. As a leader, your people are watching not what you say, but what you do. When your words and actions align, you build credibility; when they don’t, you lose it. To bring your human to work means choosing real over perfect every single time.