Forewords ix
Preface xiii

Part I The Case for Change 1

Chapter 1 The Case for Humanity 3
Chapter 2 The ROI of REALness: A Framework for Human-Centered Success 9

Part II The Framework: B.E. R.E.A.L. 19

Chapter 3 B: Building Connection Before Application 21
Chapter 4 E: Engaging Through the Hiring Process 35
Chapter 5 R: Readying for Action 49
Chapter 6 E: Experiencing Employment 61
Chapter 7 A: Adapting to Employment Adversities 83
Chapter 8 L: Leaving Employment, Not the Relationship 101

Part III Expanding the Application 115

Chapter 9 Where B.E. R.E.A.L. Lives: Meetings as Proof of Concept 117
Chapter 10 Where B.E. R.E.A.L. Scales: Leadership in Action 127
Chapter 11 The Science of Authenticity 135
Chapter 12 The Future Is Human 147

Additional Resources 157
Notes 159
Acknowledgments 199
About the Author 201
Index 203

PRAISE FOR work is personal

“In Work Is Personal, Amy captures what so many leaders intuitively feel but struggle to express: that people don’t check their hearts at the office door. Whether we’re talking about a Fortune 500 company, a school district, or a community nonprofit, success always comes down to the same truth, relationships drive results.”
—JON GORDON, 18x Bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership

“Amy parlays her experience and expertise into a book packed with examples, tools, and an actionable framework that shows you how to harness the maximum power of your team’s potential by embracing the human connection. Well researched. Well documented. Work Is Personal promises to be the definitive reference for any organizational leader.”
—ELAINE BIECH, CPTD Fellow, ISA Thought Leader, and Author of Skills for Career Success

“With her B.E. R.E.A.L. Framework, she gives leaders a practical roadmap for what I’ve always known: when you invest in people as whole humans from their first interaction through their final goodbye, everyone wins. This isn’t soft skills rhetoric, it’s a hard-business strategy backed by data, brought to life with stories that will make you rethink everything about how you lead.”
—DR. BEVERLY KAYE, Bestselling Coauthor of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay and Internationally Recognized Expert in Employee Engagement and Retention

“Whether you’re a CEO, an HR executive, or a leader at any level, I encourage you to look beyond the platitudes. Use the strategies, frameworks, and insights in this book to build a culture of authentic human connection. Your employees will thank you — and your organization will reap the rewards for years to come.”
—ART RICHER, CEO and Leadership Advisor

“In a world obsessed with hustle, Amy P. Kelly’s Work Is Personal is a refreshing guide back to what truly matters: people. She masterfully blends research, storytelling, and heart to help leaders create environments where everyone is valued and can perform in their purpose. This is the book every organization needs right now.”
—AMBERLY LAGO, Bestselling Author of True Grit and Grace and Joy Through the Journey

“I started reading and couldn’t put this book down! The research is there. The facts are clear. Hundreds of examples from companies you know provide you with the proof. Amy parlays her experience and expertise into a book packed with examples, tools, and an actionable framework that shows you how to harness the maximum power of your team’s potential by embracing the human connection. Well researched. Well documented. Work Is Personal promises to be the definitive reference for any organizational leader.” 

—Elaine Biech, CPTD Fellow, ISA Thought Leader, Author of Skills for Career Success 

“In Work Is Personal, Amy captures what so many leaders intuitively feel but struggle to express: that people don’t check their hearts at the office door. Whether we’re talking about a Fortune 500 company, a school district, or a community nonprofit, success always comes down to the same truth; relationships drive results. Through her BE REAL framework, Amy gives us language, tools, and stories that help bring this truth to life in practical and transformative ways.” 

— Jon Gordon,  18x Bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership 

“For decades, I've championed the power of career conversations and authentic connections in the workplace. Amy P. Kelly's Work Is Personal takes this truth to its logical conclusion. With her B.E. R.E.A.L. Framework, she gives leaders a practical roadmap for what I've always known: when you invest in people as whole humans from their first interaction through their final goodbye, everyone wins. This isn't soft skills rhetoric, it's a hard-business strategy backed by data, brought to life with stories that will make you rethink everything about how you lead.”  

—Dr. Beverly Kaye, Bestselling Coauthor of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay and Internationally Recognized Expert in Employee Engagement and Retention 

“Whether you’re a CEO, an HR executive, or a leader at any level, I encourage you to look beyond the platitudes. Use the strategies, frameworks, and insights in this book to build a culture of authentic human connection. Your employees will thank you — and your organization will reap the rewards for years to come.” 

—Art Richer, CEO and Leadership Advisor 

"In a world obsessed with hustle, Amy P. Kelly’s Work Is Personal is a refreshing guide back to what truly matters: people. She masterfully blends research, storytelling, and heart to help leaders create environments where everyone is valued and can perform in their purpose. This is the book every organization needs right now." 
—Amberly Lago, Bestselling Author of True Grit and Grace and Joy Through the Journey 

“In Work Is Personal, Amy P. Kelly asks: what happens when you acknowledge work is personal and build your culture around that central truth? Using her proven 6-step framework, she offers practical case studies and leadership stories, while examining how people are often overlooked in favor of outcomes or technology—even drawing insights from mob history. This book is like having a leadership consultant who champions systems thinking in your back pocket.” 

—Carrie Addington, Director Talent Development, Christian Dior Couture 

"This book speaks straight to the soul of our work. Amy P. Kelly reminds us that the work we do is deeply intertwined with who we are, and when we honor that truth, everything changes. Work Is Personal invites us to lead with empathy, align with purpose, and evolve with grace in the workplace. It’s the kind of book that transforms not just how you work, but how you live." 
—Kendra Cooke, Author of Embrace Empower Evolve: A Practical Guide to Embracing Change, Empowering Growth, and Evolving into Your True Self 

Hidden in plain sight, there is a secret behind all of the richest and most successful employee/employer relationships: work IS personal, and when personal support is not provided during challenging workplace situations, employees can quickly lose faith in an organization.

In Work Is Personal: How Authenticity Drives Performance and Culture, renowned talent development consultant Amy P. Kelly shows how to create profound connections with other members of your organization, especially in a leadership role. The book dismantles the long-standing but outdated concept of “it’s not personal, it’s just business,” offering a six-step B.E. R.E.A.L. Framework that helps you navigate every stage of your workplace relationships and show employees that they are far more than cogs in a machine.

Discover key insights on:

• Supporting potential employees even before an offer of employment has been extended, and continuing that support during the hiring process
• How the human connection is challenged in hybrid, remote, and technology-supported workplaces, and how to harness this awareness to drive meaningful connections
• Opportunities to solidify the employee/ employer bond when mistakes and challenges occur, combining individual support with programmatically available resources to create a balance that is personal and professional
• Ways to handle voluntary and involuntary exits, where leaders can maintain healthy personal relationships even when ending the employment relationship
• Job aids and other resources related to each employment stage and the associated B.E. R.E.A.L. situations and strategies

Packed with personal stories showing how your commitment to authenticity can transform workplace relationships, Work Is Personal is required reading for business leaders, executives, and managers across roles and industries.