Praise for Four Secrets "In a globalized world, this book provides ana-lytical tools and app-roaches for honoring differences in the workplace." Ron Sacchi, Director    of Organizational    Learning and    Development,    VeriSign Inc., and    Author of Design/    Build your Business "Gem of a book for anyone who works or manages workers.  It will reveal in yourself and your team the secrets to enjoy your work and your success." Don McInnis, Author    of Listen to Life and    University Adminis-    trator "Packed with really use-ful information... it was like reading a book about people I know." Laura Oliphant, PhD    Senior Investment    Manager, Intel    Capital "An easy read... differ-ent from what I have read in the past. Provides tools for in-depth understanding which in turn allows [the reader to make] better choices." Gerry Lipka,    Manager Corporate    Projects, Sandia    National    Laboratories More (pdf)...

Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the authors and publisher choose Four Secrets to Liking Your Work: You May Not Need to Quit to Get the Job You Want as the title?

It's clear: "People spend so much time at work, they should get to enjoy it," says author Erv Thomas. "Our book will show readers how to create a world where they can really like what they do."

It's easy: "The strength of this book is that anyone can use it," explains Pearson/FT Press Acquisitions Editor Jennifer Simon. "The reader doesn't have to endure some complicated, twenty-five point program. It's just four specific tools that really help."

It's flexible: "Whether someone is planning to quit, or to stay in the same job, this book will help," says author Edward Muzio. "And if you don't know what to do, it can help with that too."

It's customized: "The job you want has less to do with title and employer than it has to do with your own needs," says author Dr. Deborah Fisher. "We teach our readers how to find or create what they want within whatever constraints they already face.

How will it help me?

The book is written for anyone with a less-than-perfect job, and that's most of us! It provides tools that readers can use immediately to make a positive change in their experiences at work.

Is it for readers who want to quit, or who don't?

Both! One central premise is that the tools we need to improve our current situation are the same tools we must use to find a better one. Whether the reader is planning to quit, planning to stay, or just isn't sure, the book will support his or her plans and next steps.

How hard will it be to make my job better? 

To change everything that's wrong with a truly terrible job could be a lot of work indeed!  It is far easier to make just a few changes.  These often will create a better experience, and lead to the ability to either make a few more changes or look for a better situation. Because of the way the book is organized, readers can take things "one chapter at a time" and try small, simple steps to begin to create positive changes. 

(This somewhat loaded question often comes from prospective readers who wish to make things better, but who are overwhelmed by how much change seems necessary.  As with anything worthwhile that seems somewhat daunting, the best thing to do is to take a small step!)