Kristen [literally] wrote the book on invitation.

You’re Invited:
A Non-Fluffy, Straight-to-the-Point, Easy-to-Digest Perspective on Why Belonging is Best for Business

By: Kristen Bakalar

A book about strengthening and deepening our relationships while optimizing them for both the company’s benefit and for the employees with whom we share our days.

  • Excerpt #1

    Our friends are our colleagues, our managers are our mentors, our living rooms are our offices, our workplaces are our coffee shops. We talk about work at dinner, and we talk about dinner at work. The lines between the office and the home are being increasingly blurred, making it even more crucial to have quality relationships that fulfill some of the most primal needs we have.

  • Excerpt #2

    A culture of invitation is one that drives results. A culture of invitation helps produce innovative products and creative solutions. A culture of invitation will breed customer loyalty. And as a bonus, it can bridge divides in our communities, it can fuel a deeper connection with each other, and maybe – just maybe – heal some of the wounds of a splintered society.

  • Excerpt #3

    Invite input from your employees. When they are engaged in the process, they are more likely to be invested in the outcome. It’s the same principle as executive coaching, consulting, and parenting: if the other person can come up with the solution on their own, they are more likely to follow through with it.

  • Excerpt #4

    We think that avoiding differences will better serve the company. We believe that if we focus on the work, our politics or lifestyles or love interests won’t get in the way. But it’s actually the other way around: if we focus on our relationships, and foster humanity at work, the productivity and quality will both increase.

Companion Workbook

(a workbook to accompany the book…NOT a workbook for your companion - I can’t help with that)

The Companion Workbook is a tool for self-reflection, retrospect, learning, and planning for the future. It’s intended to be downloaded, printed, and filled in. With a pen. Novel, I know…but something happens in our brains when we engage with our physicality that doesn’t happen when we rely on keyboards and screens. So give it a go. And in spirit of invitation…if you have feedback, ideas for improvement, complaints, or insights you want to share…let me know here. I invite it all.

What people are saying.

“Kristen's use of real-world personal situations, that we can all relate to, to express where we can do things differently, and how to do better is…exceptional.”

— Amazon Review

“I didn’t read it.”

— My mother

“I love how practical, human, and applicable Kristen’s philosophy is on creating an inviting culture. It’s so needed in today’s environment.”

— Allie Winkelman, Director of Learning @ Thrive Global