Win the Heart: A Review

A number of researchers and writers in recent years have addressed the subject of employee satisfaction and engagement. There seems to be universal agreement that the more engaged an employee is the more likely that he or she will be productive, healthy, and stay with the organization.

Mark Miller has written several books on developing a high-performance organization--Chess Not Checkers (being strategic), Leaders Made Here (building a leadership culture), Talent Magnet (attracting and keeping the best people), and now Win the Heart on creating a culture of full engagement.

Miller’s key question is, “if people see their work as just a job, why would they bring their full, best self to work?” Using the familiar business fable approach, the author maps how business owner Blake Brown discovers the keys to creating a workplace where people are excited, engaged, and energized by what they do.

Drawing on insights from Civil Rights leaders, Renaissance masters, Alexander the Great, Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr, and a Texas rancher, Miller leads us on a quest to discover the four foundations of engagement: Connection, Affirmation, Responsibility, and Environment. These provide the basis for creating a caring culture that engages people.

All usual, one comes to the end of Miller’s book thinking, “OK, that is just common sense.” The reality, however, is that these practices get lost in the everyday operation of an organization. Miller provides another challenge for leaders to step up, learn the lesson, recognize the need, and act upon what they have learned.

The book is short, but the content is relevant. Win the Heart is well worth the read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

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