A Great Place to Work for All

Better for Business, Better for People, Better for the World

De: Michael C. Bush CEO The Great Place to Work Research Team

Narrado por: Wes Bleed

For 20 years, Great Place to Work has published its gold-standard list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, which appears first in Fortune magazine. But its latest research shows that what was good enough to be a “great” workplace 10 or 20 years ago is not good enough now. Even at the best workplaces, leaders can - and must - do better. The vital differentiator for companies now is their people - all their people.

CEO Michael C. Bush and his team connect the dots to show how the emerging economy is about developing every ounce of human potential. Today's business climate is defined by speed, rapidly evolving social technologies, and customers and employees who expect values, not just value. As a result, leaders have to create an outstanding culture for all, no matter who they are or what they do for the organization. They must build a Great Place to Work for All.

The authors share new research on how Great Places to Work for All outperform in the stock market and grow revenue three times faster than less-inclusive rivals. Bush and his team tell surprising, inspiring stories about how closing gaps in the work experience between groups of employees pays off for everyone. They document the ways Great Places to Work for All benefit the individuals working there and contribute to a better global society. And they introduce a new leadership framework, showing the advantages of what the authors define as Level 5 “For All” leaders.

The times demand executives who not only are business-savvy but are devoted to fairness, have deep faith in people, and empower all individuals to reach their full potential. This is a call to lead so organizations bring out the best in everyone.

©2018 Michael C. Bush, CEO, and the research team of Great Place to Work For All (P)2018 Michael C. Bush, CEO, and the research team of Great Place to Work For All

Why “For All” Leadership is the Real Deal: My Take

Alright, folks—let’s have some real talk. I just finished Michael C. Bush’s A Great Place to Work for All, and let me tell you: this isn’t your run-of-the-mill “DEI rah-rah” pep talk. It’s a straight-shooting manifesto for leaders who want to build workplaces that don’t just look inclusive but are inclusive—down to their bones.

One of the first things Bush lays down is that while diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial, they’re only a sliver of the bigger picture. Building a “For All” workplace means going beyond checklists and data points. It’s about creating an environment where everyone—yes, even your quietest cube-dweller—feels seen, heard, and valued.

He unpacks this through his five leadership levels, from the self-focused leader to the ultimate Level 5: the “For All Leader.” And let’s be real—most of us are ping-ponging somewhere in between. Level 5? That’s where the magic happens. That’s where you don’t just lead your team to perform—you lead them to belong.

The book is peppered with data, lived examples, and the kind of no-BS insights that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about leadership. Bush’s tone? Tough love. This work isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not a shiny HR initiative you can slap on your LinkedIn profile and call it a day. It’s a grind—a real discipline with style. And it’s not optional if you’re serious about building a legacy.

Here’s my two cents: if you’re in the C-suite, on a board, or in any people-leader role, you need to read this. But don’t stop at reading. Put it in action. If you’re just looking for a new “flavor of the month” HR initiative, walk away. You’ll only build resentment and stall real progress. But if you’re ready to be a “For All” leader—to do the hard work that goes way beyond DEI—this book will be your flashlight and your accountability partner.

Final thought: Legacy leadership isn’t about what you say—it’s about what you do and how you make people feel along the way. This book? It’s your kick in the pants to start doing.

Great Context

If your org uses this survey you should read/listen to the book. Great for understanding what the best look like, the benefits of that, and also creating actionable insights on your current GPTW data

a disappointment

this book combines an endless stream of business platitudes from the last three or four decades with a near mind-numbing data dump from the author's research company. There are no original or penetrating insights anywhere. if you are truly interested in a meaningful book about a great place to work, I would highly recommend instead reading Daniel Pink's book by the title Drive.