The Win-Win Workplace
Investing in employees isn't just good ethics—it's great business
Angela Jackson's book, The Win-Win Workplace, argues that meaningful employee investment is not only ethical but also economically essential, leading to higher profitability, reduced turnover, and enhanced organizational resilience. Drawing on personal experiences and extensive research, Jackson calls for businesses to shift from transactional relationships toward genuinely valuing employees as crucial stakeholders.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Angela Jackson, CEO of Future Forward Strategies and senior advisor to the Harvard Project on Workforce, begins her new book, The Win-Win Workplace, with a deceptively simple but powerful message: “When you invest in your employees, your business thrives.” Yet for many organizations, Jackson notes, this fundamental truth remains elusive.
Jackson’s conviction about employee investment was shaped early. As a child, she vividly remembers her grandfather’s excitement when American Motors, his employer, was acquired by Chrysler. Then, CEO Lee Iacocca promised job security and investment, and her grandfather believed him wholeheartedly. But just a year later, the plant closed, leaving him jobless and Jackson's family shaken. “I honestly saw in my community what happens when work disappears, when people aren't invested in,” Jackson said at SXSW just last week. “They feel very alone and not invested in at the end of the day.”
Years later, this lesson echoed through Jackson’s own career. After successful leadership roles at global corporations like Viacom and Nokia, she experienced firsthand the stark reality of workplace indifference following a severe car accident. Forced out of work for six months, Jackson returned to an environment devoid of empathy or support. “I came back, no one cared,” she recounted. “It was like business as usual.” The experience reinforced her belief that too many companies view their employees as transactional figures rather than valued stakeholders.
Reimagining Work
Motivated by these experiences, Jackson founded Future Forward Strategies to advocate for the importance of employee investment. Her new book, The Win-Win Workplace, is the culmination of extensive research involving over 355 Fortune 500 companies. Jackson argues that "when you invest in employees, your business thrives." Her findings demonstrate that companies prioritizing employee satisfaction consistently outperform their peers, enjoying profit margins up to 50% higher, superior market valuations, and nearly halved turnover rates.
Jackson clarifies that true employee investment is not about superficial perks but meaningful, tailored support. She emphasizes the importance of companies asking employees directly about their needs, citing the example of CHI Door, an Illinois manufacturer that improved operational efficiency simply by seeking employee input. One driver’s suggestion for a more efficient delivery route led to significant cost savings and morale improvement. “Employee insights, when genuinely considered, drive tangible business improvements,” she explained.
Rowing Together
Jackson also advocates fostering "mutualistic relationships," where traditional hierarchies are minimized to integrate employee ideas into decision-making processes. Companies that practice this approach not only increase employee satisfaction but also achieve measurable improvements in overall performance. Jackson stresses the importance of investing equitably in all employees rather than focusing primarily on top performers. “Most employers spend 80% of their professional development dollars on their highest wage earners," she notes. She emphasizes the importance of broader workforce investment, arguing that it is crucial to organizational resilience.
In today’s workplace climate, where many employees feel marginalized or disposable, Jackson underscores the necessity for a fundamental shift in organizational perspectives. “We’re hiring whole people," she explains, urging companies to "make sure that this works for them as well as working for us." She emphasizes that "employees have a long memory," and how organizations treat their workforce today will have lasting impacts. Leaders who truly support their employees not only earn loyalty but also enhance their company’s long-term success.
Ultimately, The Win-Win Workplace isn’t just about advocating for ethical business practices but also presenting a clear business strategy. Jackson argues convincingly, backed by robust data, that meaningful investment in employee well-being isn’t just humane—it’s economically essential. As she puts it, when organizations invest meaningfully in their people, "everyone wins."
Do you work in a win-win workplace? If so, we’d love to hear what you or your employer is doing to make it great by leaving a comment below.
Absolutely ADORE Dr. Angela Jackson!
"Her findings demonstrate that companies prioritizing employee satisfaction consistently outperform their peers, enjoying profit margins up to 50% higher, superior market valuations, and nearly halved turnover rates."
If business sense is the priority, then the above seems highly logical.