Rethinking what it takes to build a healthy organization
At the Heart of Work is a leader’s guide to building a resilient and high-performing organization. Through an in-depth exploration of the 6 Levers Framework, this book equips leaders to align people and systems, fostering purpose-driven cultures where teams thrive.
Many leaders struggle with knowing where to begin when building a healthy culture. At the Heart of Work not only provides clear starting points but also offers guidance for ongoing development. Furthermore, it empowers everyone in the organization to contribute towards fostering a healthier culture.
— Maxine Clark, Founder, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Author The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company With Heart
At the Heart of Work is a blueprint for any leader who wants to create a healthy work culture. This isn't just another business book - but rather a framework for doing meaningful, visionary work together while empowering teams to shine like never before.
— Jon McCoy + Becky Endicott, Co-Founders, We Are For Good + Co-Hosts, We Are For Good Podcast
At the Heart of Work does exactly what I want a business book to do: help me see a clear picture of a better future while giving me a plethora of starting points for actually moving toward that vision. Anybody entrusted with caring for an organization could benefit from spending time with this book and framework.
— Sam Spurlin, Partner at The Ready, Co-host, At Work with The Ready Podcast
This book is both empowering and humbling in its guidance. It is a necessary and practical companion to any team that wants to work with intention instead of just reacting. By following the 6 Levers Framework, my team and I grew as leaders, listeners, problem solvers and strategic thinkers, together.
— Evita Morin, CEO, Rise Recovery
Every business is in the people system. The word “company” comes from an Italian word for 2 people having bread together and the root of “organization” is “organism,” so there’s more people and biology than there is mechanics and structure to business success. No operating system will accomplish vitality if it’s not deliberately people-encompassing, and the 6 Levers Framework will invite you to address the systemic rhythms for success as a human leading humans!
— Mike Sharrow, CEO, C-12
Strategy outlines your vision; a system brings it to life. Integrating the 6 Levers framework into my consulting practice has been transformative, providing me with a versatile and adaptable set of tools to build intentional and practical systems that resonate with business leaders across all types of industries. This framework empowers my clients to drive meaningful impact and execute their vision with clarity and purpose, while also giving them the tools needed to build a healthy culture.
— Phillip Hernandez, Founder and CEO of Mission Mentor Consulting and 6 Levers Coach
What’s Inside
The power of people and systems lies in their alignment: people bring purpose, creativity, and engagement, while well-designed systems provide the structure and clarity needed to channel that energy into meaningful, productive outcomes.
People and Systems
The Organizational Operating System
Every team has an organizational operating system (org OS). It’s simply the set of norms, structures, practices, and routines that define how a group of people works together. Learn what it is and how to optimize your own.
The 6 Levers Framework
6 Levers is a framework to designed to serve your team’s organizational operating system. Each Lever—Identity, Leadership, Focus, Rhythm, Cohesion and Momentum—is both an indicator of team health and a Lever leaders can pull to build health.
