Jennifer Robin & Michael J. Burchell 
No Excuses 
How You Can Turn Any Workplace into a Great One

The business leader’s guide to creating a great workplace from
the Great Place to Work Institute

In this follow-up guide to The Great Workplace, experts
from Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. reveal the most
common excuses managers use for why they can’t create a great
workplace. Authors Jennifer Robin and Michael Burchell poke holes
in every single excuse. Whether the reasons involve the
organization’s leadership, employees, environment, or any other
factor, the authors explain that if managers lead people
properly, they can create a great workplace. The authors explore
how managers can interrupt their own negative thought patterns and
instead create lasting change, and they describe how great
workplaces have surmounted very real difficulties with aplomb.

* Includes case studies, stories, tips, and tools for managers
who want to transform their organizations

* From the experts at the Great Place to Work, a global research,
consulting, and training firm that operates in nearly 50
countries

* Proves that any and every organization can change for the
better when managers have the right tools and mindset

Creating a place where people want to work and want to succeed
is the primary key to success for every manager. No Excuses
shows that managers in any organization can transform their
workplace–if they’ll only get out of their own way first.

Table of Content

Foreword by Amy Lyman ix

Introduction: Creating a Great Workplace 1

1 The Anatomy of an Excuse 9

2 I Think [Like a Great Workplace Leader], Therefore I Am [a Great Workplace Leader] 25

3 We are What We Repeatedly Do 45

4 I Didn’t Have Enough Time to Do It Right 65

5 That’s Just Not My Job 85

6 My Industry is Different 105

7 It’s Just Not the Right Time 127

8 I’d Be a Great People Manager if It Weren’t for All the People 149

9 My Boss Ate My Homework 169

10 The ‘One Rule’ for Excuses 187

Notes 195

Acknowledgments 201

About the Authors 205

Index 207

About the author

JENNIFER ROBIN, Ph.D., is a research fellow at Great Place to Work¯® Institute. A former consultant with the Institute, she led the Advisory Practice, helping senior leaders integrate their organization’s culture with its strategy and aligning efforts to be a great workplace. Currently, Jennifer teaches in undergraduate, MBA, and professional programs in the Foster College of Business at Bradley University. She lives in Peoria, Illinois.

MICHAEL BURCHELL, Ed.D., is vice president, International Operations at Great Place to Work¯® Institute, Inc. A member of the corporate management team, Michael oversees affiliate operations, global expansion efforts, and the business development of multinational clients across the Great Place to Work network. Previously, Michael led consulting services for the Institute in the United States. He also co-owns and is a director for Great Place to Work¯® Institute in the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai. He is based in Washington, D.C.

Great Place to Work¯® Institute is a global research, consulting, and training firm with thirtyeight affiliates operating in nearly fifty countries. Great Place to Work produces the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For¯® Annual List and the Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For in America lists, in addition to several dozen best companies lists internationally.

For more information, please visit
greatplacetowork.com
mygreatworkplace.com