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The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures

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Extraordinary organizations have extraordinary cultures. Fully engaged team members find personal meaning in their jobs—and in the company. Driven by a sense of purpose, they feel responsible, and accountable, for results. Personal development becomes the primary driver of organizational growth, leading to significant improvements in retention, quality, and profitability.

In the wake of the Great Resignation, it’s more apparent than ever that an engaging culture is the ultimate competitive advantage. Now, in this culmination of over thirty years of experience helping thousands of CEOs create extraordinary cultures through transformational leadership, CEOs Tom Willis and Brad Zimmerman have crafted the ultimate CEO’s guide to creating high-performance organizations.

If you’re a leader who believes that the key to growth lies in unlocking your team’s full potential—helping every employee identify, develop, and contribute their greatest strengths to the organization—The Great Resignation Engagement offers a refreshingly practical and pragmatic approach that’s both actionable and effective.

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2024

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About the author

Tom Willis

1 book4 followers

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Craig.
13 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2024
Thought-provoking book with practical tools to help leaders grow and be more effective in engaging and inspiring their teams.
1 review
January 23, 2024
Great information wonderfully presented for anyone leading or aspiring to lead teams, groups and organizations.
Profile Image for Yvonne O'Connor.
1,108 reviews9 followers
March 7, 2025
There are a lot of these books out there talking about “growth mindsets” and how to be coachable, etc. this one has a lot of poachable one-liners in it for any corporate scenario. The fact that engagement is essential to the success of any business, however, is very true and as long as that element remains a mystery, these types of consultants will be in high demand.
Profile Image for Bryan Baecker.
28 reviews
December 11, 2024
The Great Engagement by Tom Willis and Brad Zimmerman is a must-read for anyone striving to build a thriving organizational culture. The authors offer a refreshing and actionable perspective on engagement, grounded in their formula of Engagement = Aspiration + Empowerment. This simple yet profound concept resonated deeply with me and provided immediate takeaways for a client project I’m currently working on.

What I appreciated most was the emphasis on replacing unconscious fears with conscious, purpose-driven actions. This insight has already shaped how I approach conversations about culture with clients, particularly when addressing hybrid work challenges. The distinction between fear-based and purpose-driven leadership is both eye-opening and empowering, giving leaders a practical roadmap to create environments that foster inclusion, accountability, and innovation.

The book’s focus on culture as behavior and the virtuous cycle created by transformational leadership are ideas I’ve already put into action. For a client struggling to define their internal values, the authors’ guidance on aligning organizational purpose with team behaviors was invaluable. It’s rare to find a leadership book so grounded in theory yet immediately applicable to real-world scenarios.

If you’re a leader, consultant, or anyone invested in making work better, this book is a game-changer. It’s packed with insights that will not only inspire you but also provide tangible steps to transform your organization. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Tim Hughes.
Author 2 books79 followers
October 24, 2024
The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures by Tom Willis is an insightful exploration into the art and science of building vibrant organizational cultures. Willis draws on years of leadership experience, presenting clear strategies for fostering engagement at every level of a company. This book goes beyond traditional management theories by focusing on the specific role CEOs play in shaping a thriving culture. Through real-world case studies and actionable frameworks, Willis highlights how a CEO's commitment to authentic leadership, vision, and communication can transform a workplace into a dynamic environment where innovation and collaboration flourish.

One of the standout features of The Great Engagement is its practical approach. Willis provides readers with tangible steps and tools that leaders can implement immediately to improve engagement and culture within their organizations. The book’s emphasis on aligning values with actions resonates deeply, offering a fresh perspective on what it takes to cultivate loyalty and high performance. Overall, The Great Engagement is a must-read for any leader looking to create a purpose-driven company that inspires and motivates its workforce.
7 reviews
February 17, 2024
Around 2.5 years ago, I faced a leadership challenge that I realized I couldn't tackle alone. That's when I turned to Brad for guidance. He coached me on the importance of choosing between fear and love, and how I needed to make a conscious effort to operate from a place of love every day. Thanks to Brad's help and the insights shared in his book, I now lead in a way that aligns with my values. I'm truly appreciative of Brad's support, and I highly recommend this book. It's truly brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews