The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working

About the Author

Tony Schwartz is the founder, president, and CEO of The Energy Project, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and organizations improve their energy, engagement, focus, and productivity. Schwartz has spent over 30 years studying how people do their best work, and he is a well-known executive coach to numerous corporate CEOs and senior leaders. He co-authored the bestseller The Power of Full Engagement with sports psychologist Jim Loehr and has written three other books.

Jean Gomes is a senior vice president at The Energy Project and the chairman of The Energy Project Europe. His expertise includes working with major companies like Sony, and he is a renowned consultant and executive coach.

Catherine McCarthy, Ph.D., is the chief operating officer at The Energy Project. Together, they have been pivotal in shifting organizational focus from traditional time management to innovative energy management, a concept they popularized in their Harvard Business Review article, "Manage Energy, Not Time: The Science of Stamina."

Main Idea

The Way We're Working Isn't Working by Tony Schwartz, Jean Gomes, and Catherine McCarthy delves into the performance challenges faced by leaders, managers, and employees in today’s work environment. The book offers a comprehensive system to enhance energy, engagement, and productivity by addressing four core energy needs: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The authors argue that sustainable success stems from creating positive habits that cater to these energy needs, promoting long-term health and performance over short-term gains.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Part One: The Problem
• Part Two: The Four Energy Needs
• Part Three: The Path to Sustainable Success
• Conclusion

Introduction

In a world where overtime work is often mandatory and personal time is sacrificed for professional gains, The Way We're Working Isn't Working questions the effectiveness of our current work habits. Does putting in extra hours truly lead to a better life, or does it simply lead to burnout and dissatisfaction?

The authors explore the performance problems faced in the workplace and offer practical solutions based on the science of high performance. By focusing on energy management rather than time management, they propose a path to sustainable success that balances intense effort with regular renewal.

Part One: The Problem

Schwartz and his co-authors identify the core problem in modern work culture: the misconception that working longer hours translates to better performance. They argue that this approach neglects the fundamental human need for renewal and leads to diminished productivity and well-being.

"In a world where overtime work is often mandatory and keeping a job often means sacrificing personal time for a professional career, it's easy to wonder whether all of that extra work truly adds up to a better life." - Tony Schwartz

Part Two: The Four Energy Needs

The authors present a revolutionary idea that personal and professional success comes from fulfilling four core energy needs: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. These needs correspond to four aspects of energy expenditure and renewal: