Assessment:
Plot/Idea: With the rise of remote working in recent years, more attention has been given to the employee experience as it relates to company success, including how to measure their interdependence. Oliver breaks down the concepts behind people-centered approaches to workplace satisfaction, from onboarding to exit, through the lens of measurable strategies.
Prose: Oliver parlays personal career setbacks into actionable units covering every aspect of the employee experience, in language that resonates with authenticity and warm concern.
Originality: I Think I Love My Job sits at the point where data and the psychology of working intersect, giving it a unique viewpoint and deeper "real-life" meaning than similar titles.
Character/Execution: Those familiar with corporate life will see themselves in this anecdote-rich, easily digestible examination of creating—and thriving in—a cohesive workplace. In pointing out crucial elements that can make or break businesses, such as the bias that can disrupt succession planning or the importance of strategically planning for equity-rich job environments, Oliver opens a new world for professionals, leaving them with ample food for thought.
Date Submitted: October 06, 2024
From characters like "Coffee Judy" to "Late Larry", Dr. Kalifa Oliver mindfully takes the reader of I Think I Love My Job through an accessible and actionable masterclass on organizational effectiveness, employee voice, engagement, DEI, listening, and much more. She breaks down the truths of these complex subjects with the pragmatism of Ph.D. scholars and the relatability of your best friend. When you finish this book, you will be able to simultaneously ask and declare, "I Think I Love my Job(?)," and then take what you learned and put it into practice.
Kalifa Oliver has written a remarkable book that reveals the secrets of becoming a people experience powerhouse. She shows the many facets and benefits of a people- centered experience and its magic if you weave it into the core principles, processes, and programs of your company. Along the way, Kalifa shares tangible examples and nuggets of wisdom on hiring, assessing, and developing the people who power your organization. If you're looking for forehead-smacking insights and food for thought to finally crack the secret of employee experience, I Think I Love My Job is an essential read.
At a time when so many people and companies are thrashing in their approach to work and management, Kalifa Oliver delivers an essential, biting critique of the status quo with deep insights into how we can create truly meaningful and effective work environments. I Think I Love My Job is poised to launch the next wave of employee experience practice. Not to be missed!
Refreshing, conversational, honest, funny. The experience of reading I Think I Love My Job is like talking to a longtime friend who just gets it! Regardless of if you are brand new or a veteran in the Employee Experience space, you will take away inspirational and practical lessons from this book. Kalifa's human-centered approach to our mission of crafting the best employee experience for all shines through every page - it reminds us why we do what we do.
Having read countless books on this topic in my twenty years of doing this work, I can confidently say this one is a gem. Kalifa "goes there" with her signature blend of humanity, humor, and expertise. You will feel validated as you read parts of your own experience in this book, you will cackle at the absurdity of some of the things organizations do, and you will finish I Think I Love My Job, as I did, rethinking some long held beliefs and smarter than you were before you read it.
I have had the pleasure to read Kalifa's doctoral dissertation, work with Kalifa at a Fortune 500 company, work with Kalifa again at a tech startup, and now read Kalifa's latest work: I Think I Love My Job. Kalifa is that rare human resource talent who brings a mix of research science and the experience of a tested practitioner to a business conversation. This is a must read for business leaders and HR practitioners who have already done it - and may be doing a few things not quite right.
For example, in chapter 2, Kalifa deconstructs the beloved and misapplied Net Promoter Score. You'll read it and wonder why you didn't think of that. In chapter 11, Kalifa reframes diversity, equity, and inclusion in a thoughtful and compelling manner. Her take on DEI - informed by her lived experience at home and in the workplace - is timely given the current reexamination of DEI practices in corporate America. I think you'll walk away from this chapter with a pragmatic compass amidst the fog of rhetoric from all sides of what has become a hot political debate.
Kalifa closes her book with a last chapter called "I think I love solutions" and that is so her and so this book
I Think I Love My Job by Kalifa Oliver is a compelling guide that seamlessly blends key organizational science principles with actionable insights. Leaders at all levels can use the recommendations provided to cultivate a positive work environment where all employees feel valued and heard. I would suggest it as a strategic resource for navigating the complexities of the modern workplace.
Dr. Kalifa Oliver offers a compelling and relatable exploration of the challenges inherent in each phase of the employee experience. I Think I Love My Job transcends the confines of HR departments and DEI teams, speaking to the entire organization. For anyone in a leadership role, this book is a must-read and I mean a read—pun intended. Dr. Oliver adeptly demonstrates the practical significance of the what, how, and why behind the employee experience, making it essential reading for anyone tasked with shaping this journey within their company. I don't just think, I know: "I love this book." Highly recommended
Dr. Kalifa Oliver's I Think I Love My Job strikes the perfect chord between professional insight and engaging storytelling. As an IO psychologist, I appreciate how she blends academic knowledge with relatable real-world experiences. This book is like having a heart-to-heart with a wise mentor who knows the ins and outs of the corporate world. Oliver’s focus on people-centered design and the transformative power of data in enhancing the employee experience is both innovative and inspiring. It’s filled with humor, authenticity, and actionable advice that challenges and guides us to reimagine our work lives.
For anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their career, this book is an invaluable resource. It’s insightful, down-to-earth, and will definitely leave you thinking, 'I think I love my job!
