On Fire at Work Quotes

“Gallup’s 2013 “State of the American Workplace” poll surveyed 350,000 employees over a three-year period, and the results couldn’t have been clearer: A vast majority of American workers—70 percent—are not engaged in their jobs. Then the kicker: “Gallup estimates that these actively disengaged employees cost the U.S. between $450 billion to $550 billion each year in lost productivity. [These employees] are more likely to steal from their companies, negatively influence their coworkers, miss workdays, and drive customers away.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out

“Unhappy employees are unproductive employees.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out

“Your success—and the success of your business—is tied directly to (1) the quality of the people you attract to your organization, (2) your proficiency in getting those people to consistently perform up to and even beyond their potential, and (3) your ability to keep them on your payroll for as long as possible.

And all of that hinges on one thing. Your culture.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out

“Engagement occurs when an employer meets an employee's minimum requirements for compensation, alignment, atmosphere, growth, acknowledgement, autonomy, and communication.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out

“Engagement isn't just the ultimate goal—it's merely the starting point.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out

“Culture is like a garden,” said Tom O’Neill. “You can plant the flowers you want and nurture the garden. But it grows organically. You can’t install culture. You have to let it evolve over time. Sometimes weeds will crop up, but if your team sees the garden as their own, then they’ll help get rid of them. By planting a garden, you’re assuming a level of surprise—you can’t manage everything. Sometimes weeds will grow, but sometimes a plant will attract butterflies, adding to the beauty of the garden.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out

“When some downtime is allowed, it loses the fascination associated with rule-breaking and secrecy. It gains respect and is thus often shown respect by those who take advantage of it.”
― Eric Chester, On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out