Tom Rath quotes

Perhaps the ultimate test of a leader is not what you are able to do in the here and now - but instead what continues to grow long after you're gone. (Tom Rath)
Making better choices takes work. There is a daily give and take, but it is worth the effort.
Tom Rath
Well-being is about the combination of our love for what we do each day, the quality of our relationships, the security of our finances, the vibrancy of our physical health, and the pride we take in what we have contributed to our communities. Most importantly, it's about how these five elements interact.
Tom Rath
Instead of celebrating what makes each child unique, most parents push their children to "fit in" so that they don't "stick out."
Tom Rath
Ignoring negative things that need to be changed is destructive and does nothing to alleviate negativity. Instead, we should focus on the way we're treating other people in our brief interactions with them.
Tom Rath
On average, spending time with your boss is consistently rated as the least pleasurable activity in a given day.
Tom Rath
Friendships are among the most fundamental of human needs.
Tom Rath
The reality is that a person who has always struggled with numbers is unlikely to be a great accountant or statistician... This might sound like a heretical point of view for those of us who grew up believing the essential American myth that we could become anything we wanted. it's clear from [our] research that each person has greater potential for success in specific areas, and the key to human development is building on who you already are.
Tom Rath
At its fundamentally flawed core, the aim of almost any learning program is to help us become who we are not... From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to our shortcomings than to our strengths.
Tom Rath
Overcoming deficits is an essential part of the fabric of our culture. Our books, movies, and folklore are filled with stories of the underdog who beats one-in-a-million odds. And this leads us to celebrate those who triumph over their lack of natural ability even more than we recognize those who capitalize on their innate talents. As a result, millions of people see these heroes as being the epitome of the American Dream and set their sights on conquering major challenges. Unfortunately, this is taking the path of most resistance.
Tom Rath
Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment to their overall wellbeing. (Tom Rath)
The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses is staggering.
Tom Rath
Clearly, there aren't enough positive moments or interactions happening in the workplace. As a result, our economy suffers, companies suffer, and individual relationships suffer.
Tom Rath
Figure out what you really love doing and use your strengths on a daily basis.
Tom Rath
Exercise is not enough. Working out three times a week is not enough. Being active throughout the day is what keeps you healthy.
Tom Rath
Even if people just change two or three things that they are able to sustain over time, it makes quite a difference eventually.
Tom Rath
Every day, I read about new ideas and research that could help someone I care about live a longer and healthier life.
Tom Rath
When you ask people what affects their wellbeing most, they think of health and wealth.
Tom Rath
When I was in kindergarten, I entered a competition and read 52 books in a week.
Tom Rath
The quickest way to be a little bit happier and more engaged in your job is to spend some time thinking about developing closer friendships.
Tom Rath
I've seen people be effective, even among local teams, by offering something that improves wellbeing in a small way - people who get passionate about smart investment strategies and managing finances for retirement, for example. (Tom Rath)
What works for one person's needs is almost always very different from the next.
Tom Rath
Employees who report receiving recognition and praise within the last seven days show increased productivity, get higher scores from customers, and have better safety records. They're just more engaged at work.
Tom Rath
Don't worry about breaks every 20 minutes ruining your focus on a task. Contrary to what I might have guessed, taking regular breaks from mental tasks actually improves your creativity and productivity. Skipping breaks, on the other hand, leads to stress and fatigue.
Tom Rath
Its tempting to work more than 60 hours a week and sacrifice sleep, not move, and eat bad foods as they are convenient. But this comes with a cost.
Tom Rath