I Think I Love My Job

1. Your journey into studying the employee experience seems deeply personal. Will you share more about what initially drew you to this field, particularly through the lens of industrial-organizational psychology?

2. In I Think I Love My Job, you mentioned discovering a passion for data despite your initial aversion to math. How did this transformation occur, and how has your embrace of data-driven approaches shaped your understanding of the employee experience?

3. Your experiences of both professional success and unexpected setbacks, such as being laid off, seem to have profoundly influenced your perspective. How have these personal experiences informed your approach to writing I Think I Love My Job?

4. In your book, you advocate for a people-centered design approach to crafting employee experiences. Can you explain how this framework differs from traditional approaches, and why you believe it's crucial for organizations today?

5. Your book aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, actionable advice for improving the employee experience. How do you navigate this balance in your writing, and what do you hope readers will take away from your book?

6. You emphasize the importance of understanding the employee experience from a holistic, human perspective. How can organizations cultivate a culture that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of their employees, especially in today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape?

7. Your dedication to helping readers understand concepts like workplace trauma and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is evident. Why do you believe these topics are essential for leaders and professionals to address in their organizations, and what actionable steps can they take to promote a more inclusive and supportive workplace?

8. Throughout your book, you encourage readers to rethink traditional notions of loyalty, commitment, and satisfaction in the workplace. Can you elaborate on why these concepts may need to be reevaluated, and what implications this has for organizational culture and success?

9. As a seasoned consultant and leader, what advice do you have for individuals who may be struggling to navigate their own career paths or overcome setbacks in their professional lives?

10. Finally, what do you hope readers will ultimately gain from reading your book, I Think I Love My Job, and how do you envision it making a difference in the lives of both employees and organizational leaders?

Kalifa Oliver, PhD, is an international experience coach, executive advisor, keynote speaker, author, and expert on building brilliant experiences using people-centered design and analytics. She has consulted for several companies and industries including tech start-ups, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies to help them reposition their culture and employer value proposition - with a focus on employee experience and people analytics. She is also a dynamic speaker who coaches leaders on reaching their leadership goals through taking control of their voice, space, and energy, and through walking into their Main Character Season.

A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Oliver has her PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Clemson University, Certification in People Analytics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is a proud graduate of Benedict College, an HBCU in Columbia, South Carolina.

I have had the pleasure of reading Kalifa's doctoral dissertation, working with Kalifa at a Fortune 500 company, working with Kalifa again at a tech startup, and now reading Kalifa's latest work: I Think I Love My Job. Kalifa is that rare human-resource talent who brings a mix of research science and the experience of a tested practitioner to a business conversation. This is a must read for business leaders and HR practitioners who have already done it—and may be doing a few things not quite right. For example, in chapter 2, Kalifa deconstructs the beloved and misapplied Employee Net Promoter Score. You'll read it and wonder why you didn't think of that. In chapter 11, Kalifa reframes diversity, equity, and inclusion in a thoughtful and compelling manner. Her take on DEI—informed by her lived experience at home and in the workplace—is timely given the current reexamination of DEI practices in corporate America. I think you'll walk away from this chapter with a pragmatic compass amidst the fog of rhetoric from all sides of what has become a hot political debate. Kalifa closes her book with a last chapter called "I Think I Love Solutions," and that is so her and so this book. -Minh Hua, Chief People Officer, Omniva

Dr. Kalifa Oliver's I Think I Love My Job strikes the perfect chord between professional insight and engaging storytelling. As an IO psychologist, I appreciate how she blends academic knowledge with relatable real-world experiences. This book is like having a heart-to-heart with a wise mentor who knows the ins and outs of the corporate world. Oliver’s focus on people-centered design and the transformative power of data in enhancing the employee experience is both innovative and inspiring. This book is filled with humor, authenticity, and actionable advice that challenges and guides us to reimagine our work lives. For anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their career, this book is an invaluable resource. It’s insightful, down-to-earth, and will definitely leave you thinking, “I think I love my job!” -Stephanie Murphy, PhD, Employee Experience Executive, Founder & Principal Consultant, MCS Consulting

Refreshing, conversational, honest, funny. It's like talking to a longtime friend who just gets it! Regardless of if you are brand new to or a veteran in the employee-experience space, you will take away inspirational and practical lessons from this book. Kalifa's human-centered approach to our mission of crafting the best employee experience for all shines through every page—it reminds us why we do what we do. -Janelle Cheung, PhD, Employee Listening & People Analytics Leader

With characters like Coffee Judy and Late Larry, Dr. Kalifa Oliver mindfully takes the reader of I Think I Love My Job through an accessible and actionable master class on organizational effectiveness, employee voice, engagement, DEI, listening, and much more. She breaks down the truths of these complex subjects with the pragmatism of PhD scholars and the relatability of your best friend. When you finish this book, you will be able to simultaneously ask and declare, “I think I love my job(?),” and then take what you learned and put it into practice. -Amri B. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer & Inclusion Strategist, Inclusion Wins

Kalifa Oliver has written a remarkable book that reveals the secrets of becoming a people-experience powerhouse. She shows the many facets and benefits of a people- centered experience and its magic if you weave it into the core principles, processes, and programs of your company. Along the way, Kalifa shares tangible examples of and nuggets of wisdom on hiring, assessing, and developing the people who power your organization. If you're looking for forehead-smacking insights and food for thought to finally crack the secret of the employee experience, I Think I Love My Job is an essential read. -Andrea Eunheim, Global C-Suite Fortune 50 Executive

I Think I Love My Job by Kalifa Oliver is a compelling guide that seamlessly blends key organizational science principles with actionable insights. Leaders at all levels can use the recommendations provided to cultivate a positive work environment where all employees feel valued and heard. I would suggest it as a strategic resource for navigating the complexities of the modern workplace. -N. Danielle Melton, Behavioral Research Science Leader

Having read countless books on this topic in my twenty years of doing this work, I can confidently say that this one is a gem. Kalifa "goes there" with her signature blend of humanity, humor, and expertise. You will feel validated as you read parts of your own experience in this book, you will cackle at the absurdity of some of the things organizations do, and you will finish this book, as I did, rethinking some long-held beliefs and smarter than you were before you read it. -Meisha-Ann Martin, PhD, People Analytics & Research Practice Leader

I Think I Love My Job is not just a book; it's a road map. It is a call to action, empowering leaders to prioritize their most valuable asset: their people. I love how Dr. Kalifa Oliver masterfully intertwines academic insights, compelling storytelling, and actionable strategies to uncover the many ways a leader can use people-centered design to reshape their employee experience. If you're committed to building a workplace where every employee feels valued and inspired, this book is a must read. Prepare to be enlightened, inspired, and empowered to revolutionize your organization's employee experience and create a workplace where everyone truly loves what they do. -Ariel Belgrave Harris, Chief Wellness Officer & Board-Certified Executive Wellness Coach, GymHooky

Dr. Kalifa Oliver offers a compelling and relatable exploration of the challenges inherent in each phase of the employee experience. I Think I Love My Job transcends the confines of HR departments and DEI teams, speaking to the entire organization. For anyone in a leadership role, this book is a must read (and I mean a read—pun intended). Dr. Oliver adeptly demonstrates the practical significance of the what, how, and why behind the employee experience, making this book essential reading for anyone tasked with shaping this journey within their company. I don't just think—I know: "I love this book." Highly recommend. -Solomon Bennett, Consumer & Employee Research Leader

At a time when so many people and companies are thrashing out their approach to work and management, Kalifa Oliver delivers an essential, biting critique of the status quo with deep insights into how we can create truly meaningful and effective work environments. I Think I Love My Job is poised to launch the next wave of employee experience practice. Not to be missed! -Ben Waber, Visiting Scientist, MIT Media Lab