The Way We're Working Isn't Working

How Intense Focus and Frequent Renewal Fuel Great Performance

By: Tony Schwartz, Jean Gomes

Narrated by: Tony Schwartz

The Way We're Working Isn't Working is one of those rare books with the power to profoundly transform the way we work and live.

Demand is exceeding our capacity. The ethic of "more, bigger, faster" exacts a series of silent but pernicious costs at work, undermining our energy, focus, creativity, and passion. Nearly 75 percent of employees around the world feel disengaged at work every day.

The Way Were Working Isnt Working offers a groundbreaking approach to reenergizing our lives so were both more satisfied and more productive, on the job and off. By integrating multidisciplinary findings from the science of high performance, Tony Schwartz, coauthor of the number-one best-selling The Power of Full Engagement, makes a persuasive case that were neglecting the four core needs that energize great performance: sustainability (physical); security (emotional); self-expression (mental); and significance (spiritual). Rather than running like computers at high speeds for long periods, we're at our best when we pulse rhythmically between expending and regularly renewing energy across each of our four needs.

Organizations undermine sustainable high performance by forever seeking to get more out of their people. Instead they should seek systematically to meet their four core needs so they're freed, fueled, and inspired to bring the best of themselves to work every day.

Drawing on extensive work with an extraordinary range of organizations, among them Google, Ford, Sony, Ernst & Young, Shell, IBM, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Cleveland Clinic, Schwartz creates a road map for a new way of working.

©2010 Tony Schwartz (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"The foundations of great leadership are self-awareness and thoughtful action, and the ideas in this book can be truly life-changing for both. The transformative power of this lies in its ability to help very smart and already high-performing people change their current behaviors to be even more effective, fulfilled and connected to others." (Evan Wittenberg, Head of Global Leadership Development, Google, Inc.)

Excellent resource

What did you love best about The Way We're Working Isn't Working?

I have the hard copy of this book, but I wanted to review it several times. I didn't have the time to sit and review the print version, so the audio was a time-efficient way to do review and reinforce the key ideas.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

Would you listen to another book narrated by Tony Schwartz?

Absolutely.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's easy to listen to in 10-minute segments, or longer if you prefer.

Any additional comments?

Practical information, simply explained.

You need a break

Good ways of rethinking the way you handle each day. The biggest revelation to me is that WE ALL NEED BREAKS, they say every 90 minutes.

Get More Sleep, Get More Done

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The performance was solid. He did a great job of explaining the charts that are included the book. Most importantly, the content was incredible.

I'm the type of person that tries to squeeze every hour out of the day. This year I cut back on sleep so that I could fit in more time for my faith, family, fitness, job, etc. I was getting 4-6 hours per night but still felt like I wasn't getting everything I wanted out of the day.

This book brought to my attention some simple ideas on how to structure time for work, and more importantly, to also structure time for renewal. Tony uses a series of matrices to help you identify where you're spending time and where you should be spending your time.

If you feel as though you're burning the candle at both ends, this books is for you.

Thought provoking and inspiring

Looking for a book to encourage self growth? This is it! I enjoyed the perspective and examples. Not just for desk jockeys or management.

I'd give it a 10 but there are only 5 stars

Where does The Way We're Working Isn't Working rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This fresh perspective on efficiency and productivity is truly groundbreaking and is the culmination of a brilliant career writing about leaders and organizations to effect change and studying the science of high performance. He has co-authored books with the likes of Donald Trump and Michael Eisner and is currently the CEO of the Energy Project dedicated to energizing people by creating a framework within organizations that encourages employees to find meaning and purpose in their careers.

The way we are working isn't working brings understanding of how to maximize our productivity and performance through a scientific look at our use of energy, motivation, and willpower. It has great practical action steps that anyone can implement effectively doubling or tripling their productivity. I'm a believer and I highly recommend this book.

Audio doesn't match is 50% of the book

This a great book, however the audio edition was horrible. I spent more time finding where they were in each chapter instead of enjoying the book. Some FULL chapters are skipped. This book is not worth the audible edition, just buy the book and read it. The audio edition will only frustrate you if you like to follow along in the book.

This book will empower you to be a better you.

Though this listen is quite dense with subject matter, there are chapters in this book that spoke directly to me as well as made me think of aspects of my life that I hadn't previously. I plan to re-listen to a few chapters to refocus over the next few months in hopes of making positive changes in my personal and professional life.

A Life Altering Book

What did you love best about The Way We're Working Isn't Working?

This book taught me how to develop and utilize habits, rather than limited will power, to achieve results.

Any additional comments?

This is the best self help book I have ever read.

The book is powerful but all over the place

liked the messages but it's a lot more about personal well being, balance, and life lessons than the hard data of a new workplace.

Must read

Where does The Way We're Working Isn't Working rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's the best so far

What other book might you compare The Way We're Working Isn't Working to and why?

I don't know

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

This book highlights fundamental components of the way we are living and discusses how those lifestyle choice may be influencing our behavior (e.g. inattention). Well written, accurate, and timely.