Angels in the Workplace: Stories and Inspirations for Creating a New World of Work [Hardcover]

Melissa Giovagnoli (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 078794369X | ISBN-13: 978-0787943691 | Publication Date: December 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

An Inspiring Guide to Making Life Miraculous

"So much has been written about the negative aspects of today's work environments. Angels in the Workplace is an inspiring look at how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference at their place of work."--Karol Emmerick, corporate director and former vice president and treasurer, Dayton Hudson Corporation

Angels do exist and they can transform your workplace. With these enchanting stories, noted business author and consultant Melissa Giovagnoli recounts the tales of ordinary people whose random acts of kindness have generated some extraordinary results. These people are living proof that there are angels among us, and Giovagnoli tells us how we might join their ranks. The author says that to be angels ourselves, we must shape our lives according to seven heavenly tenets: faith, hope, charity, courage, truth, trust, and love. Devoting a chapter to each virtue, Giovagnoli describes the miracles that living angels have performed on the job, and shows how we can put these virtues into practice in our own lives. It?s an inspiring work about renewing hope, creating a stronger sense of community, and redefining the meaning of success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"So much has been written about the negative aspects of today's work environments. Angels in the Workplace is an inspiring look at how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in their place of work." --Karol Emmerick,, corporate director, Dayton Hudson Corporation

"Angels will forever change the way you view your role in the workplace. It will lift your heart and gently guide you toward the highest calling found in work." --Paul G. Stoltz,, author, Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

"With Angels, Giovagnoli makes a significant and very positive contribution to marketplace literature. It is at once tough minded and touching, practical and inspirational. I strongly Andorse it. --Bob Briner,, author, The Management Methods of Jesus

From the Inside Flap

For sixteen years, noted business author and consultant Melissa Giovagnoli has visited companies across the country. And every place she goes, she finds too many workers struggling with feelings of alienation and job dissatisfaction. But she's also come across dozens of ordinary people whose extraordinary actions have made the work experience more rewarding for all concerned. These people are, by every account, angels in the workplace.On these pages, you'll find the angels' stories and you'll discover how even small acts of kindness can transform entire organizations. More important, you'll realize that you can do the same. Part inspiration and part instruction, Angels in the Workplace is your guide to bringing joy and purpose back into your daily life and into the lives of those around you.Here is the tale of a telemarketing firm owner whose personal generosity toward her employees made for low turnover, stellar customer service, and increased business. Then there's the story of Momma Hawk, a Chicago high-school teacher who's given fresh hope to hundreds of at-risk students through the innovative learning program she established.You'll also learn about an impoverished woman in El Salvador who turned a one-hundred-dollar loan into new prosperity for herself and her entire community. And you'll cheer the rising young corporate executive who reinvigorated his career-and saved his colleagues' jobs-by courageously challenging the downsizing plans of top management.With these stories and more, Angels in the Workplace shows how people from all walks of life have followed seven simple principles to the betterment of their lives, their organizations, and their communities. The author hopes you might do the same and, to that And, provides a number of strategies, action steps, and exercises for bringing out the angel that resides in us all.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078794369X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787943691
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,627,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melissa is one of the world's leading experts on the development of individual and community leadership networks as a means of growing and accelerating brand loyalty and performance improvement inside and outside organizations. For more than a decade Melissa's organization, Networlding, has provided exceptional relationship and thought leader marketing, publishing and social media innovation programs for organizations like AT&T, CNA, UBS, Motorola and Disney. Melissa is also a keynote speaker on the subject of social media, LinkedIn and leadership networks.

Melissa is also the author and/or co-author of ten top-selling books. Her seventh book, co-authored with former CMO of Office Depot, Jocelyn Carter Miller, held the #10 spot on Amazon (in Chicago) for a year. Other books include:

- Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success (#10 on Amazon, in Chicago, for 12 months)
- The Chicago Entrepreneurs Sourcebook (rated one of the top 10 small business books in Chicago)
- 75 Cage Rattling Questions that Change the Way You Work (McGraw Hill)- (one of the top 10 creativity books for three years).
- The Power of Two: Rethinking and Reforming Strategic Alliances (Jossey Bass)

Four of Melissa's books have been on top business book lists including: The Power-of-Two and Networlding, recognized by Booz Allen as two of the top ten alliance management books. Melissa has also been a guest on both radio and television including The Today Show, CNN, WGN, CNBC and FOX. One of her books was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is a frequent presenter at conferences looking for interactive sessions. Her unique program, The Extravaganza, has been highly evaluated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and she has won a Consummate Speaker of the Year Award.

With a BA in Sociology and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, Melissa went on to found Service Showcase, Inc., a consulting, training and coaching firm started in 1986. For the past twelve years she has grown the company to include clients like Price Waterhouse, AT&T, Dean Foods and Motorola as well as dozens of smaller companies and organizations. In 1998 she was chosen as one of six extraordinary women of the year by The University of Chicago Women's Graduate Business Alumni Board. Networlding was recently licensed by Yale University through their graduate school of business.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will help workers and employers all over the USA, December 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Angels in the Workplace: Stories and Inspirations for Creating a New World of Work (Hardcover)

Angels in the Workplace is by far the best book to come along in years! Workers and employers all over America will improve their attitude and working environment by reading this book. In a time where the knowledged-based workplace is imminent, employers and employees alike are looking for ways to enhance their work life. This is the way! Using Giovagnoli's action steps, your workplace will become a more spiritual and fulfilled place to spend your 40 hours a week.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Great inspirational book. It made a difference., December 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Angels in the Workplace: Stories and Inspirations for Creating a New World of Work (Hardcover)

This is the perfect gift for family, friends, colleagues. I even gave a copy to my boss. I like the way each belief--faith,hope, charity, courage, truth, trust and love have not only stories, but strategies to make them work in your work place. I turn to the book once a day to get ideas and inspiration.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timely piece. It's got it all for a guidebook for the soul, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Angels in the Workplace: Stories and Inspirations for Creating a New World of Work (Hardcover)

With so little time spent on caring in the workplace, Giovagnoli shows us all that there are practical, powerful things we can all do daily to make a difference in our workplaces. The book was so well laid out and the stories brought me to tears as well as laughter. Great Angel Advice Corners at the end of each section really help bring the strategies she offers to life. I put the Action Strategies page up in my lunch room as Giovagnoli suggests and last week alone three people brought food treats for my department. For the first time in a long time, this Christmas at the office feels like there are people who care about each other. It's even getting to the point that I look forward to going to work to see what new idea someone has come up with--all from the strategies Giovagnoli recommends.