"The Jerk-Free Workplace" Book

The Jerk-Free Workplace

How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace

“An uplifting reminder that anyone can take the lead at work to create a happier, more collaborative workplace. The Jerk-Free Workplace should be required reading for every employee!”
Ron Friedman, Ph.D, author of The Best Place to Work

The Jerk-Free Workplace is for anyone who wants to be happier at work.

It’s about front-line leadership – the idea that anyone can become a leader at work regardless of what position they hold on the corporate food chain.

(And if you already know you want to buy the book, congratulations on a brilliant decision! Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Buy Now button!)

The Jerk-Free Workplace offers up ideas on how to…

Prevent jerk-like behaviors
Embrace a more resilient, positive attitude
Develop a leadership mindset
Have difficult conversations
Stand out with your customer service
Create a more fun work environment

This book is intended for employees at all levels – from frontline employees to senior leaders. It’s for anyone who wants to be happier at work, more successful in their career, and make a real impact on their workplace.

Bulk sales are available starting at 10 or more copies. If you purchase 25 or more copies, you can schedule a free online Q & A session with Michael.

The more you buy, the lower the price per book, and we KNOW that you’ll want to get this book into as many of your employees’ hands as possible! Contact Michael for details.

If you are not sure if the book is right for you or your team, here’s the Table of Contents to give you a better sense of what’s included:

Leading Thoughts: Why You Need This Book

Chapter 1: First Do No Harm: Don’t Be a Work Jerk!

It’s Not Me! It’s Them!

So, Who Are the Jerks?

Taking the Jerk Out of Work

Actions Speak Louder than Words

Things that Require No Talent that You Can Control

The Virtual Workplace

Chapter 2: Leadership Begins with Attitude

It’s Within Your Control

Can Too Much Positivity be a Negative?

Attitude Boosters

Being Happy on Purpose

An Attitude of Service, an Attitude of Leadership

Attitudes Are Highly Infectious

Chapter 3: The Six Mindsets of a Front Line Leader

Mindset #1: Leadership Is About Character

Mindset #2: Leadership Is About People, Not Tasks

Mindset #3: Leaders Have a Growth Mindset

Mindset #4: Leaders See the Entire Pie

Mindset #5: Leaders Take Full Responsibility for Their Attitudes and Actions

Mindset #6: Leadership Is About Serving

Being Intentional as a Leader

Chapter 4: Say What Now? How to Communicate Like a Leader

How You Say It Matters – Talk, Don’t Squawk!

Don’t Be an E-Jerk

Don’t Be Afraid to Just “Phone Moi”

Have More Conversations

Stop Gossip in Its Tracks

Prove Elton John Wrong

Mastering Challenging Conversations

Frame Your Conversations

Receiving Feedback Like a Pro

Speaking Up

Chapter 5: To Lead Is to Serve: A Service-First Approach to a Rocking Workplace

Why Stand Out from the Herd?

Great Service Starts on the Inside

How to Be a Service-First Leader

Chapter 6: Leading with Laughter

Positive Humor

Morale-Boosting Traditions and Rituals

Using Humor to Celebrate

Humor Can Make Your Message Contagious

Ha + Ha = AHA!

Humor as Tension Buster

Humor as a Stress Buster

What About the Fun Suckers?

What About the Office Joker?

It’s Never a Choice Between Laughter and Leading

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Videos

Why Clients Book Michael

Some clients bring me into their events simply because they want to celebrate a great year, cap off a busy season, or recognize their amazing employees. Other clients work with me because they’ve lost their mojo, they’re wrestling with unprecedented change, or they need help forging a stronger and more inspiring culture.

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Why Choose Between Content and Humor?

For more than 25 years I’ve embraced the mantra: “Why choose between content and humor when you can have both?” In this short video, I share what I think my job as a professional speaker is and how I will work with you to exceed your expectations.

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Michael in Action

Why choose between content and fun when you can have both? For a sense of my presentation style, grab some popcorn and enjoy this sampler video of Michael in Action. Whether I’m delivering a full-day workshop to senior executives, or a keynote to an audience of 3,000+, I deliver relevant content in as memorable a way as possible so those inspiring ideas stick!

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Rave Reviews

“Your presentation was beyond excellent! You have the unique ability to both entertain and educate. It was the perfect mix of a serious business message, along with a very funny delivery.”

Dave Thompson, CFO & President, Sandvik Canada, Inc.

“Michael was brilliant! An incredible session that received a standing ovation. The content was a welcome and valuable divergence from typical educational sessions. If you need to leave your audience energized with great content, I highly recommend Michael Kerr!”

Dana Cooper, Executive Director, Orthotics Prosthetics Canada

“Michael held the full attention of our senior management team for a full 4-hour presentation! His management philosophy is a fantastic approach that I have encouraged my team to carry forward.”

Martine Rothblatt, Chairman & CEO, United Therapeutics

“It was evident, almost from the first word you spoke, that you would be one of the most memorable parts of the two days. Your high energy, fast-paced, powerful style had everyone on the edges of their seats. Beyond being incredibly entertaining, you gave the leaders pragmatic tools and ideas that are easily transferable to their jobs.”

Mark Breslaw, Human Resources Business Partner, Telus

“Michael’s Leading and Laughing During Turbulent Times was the best presentation I have seen in my 40 years in business.”

Rodney Meadows, Director East Alabama Home Medical

“That was one of the best virtual presentations I have been on and the best one since this pandemic! It was the highlight of my week and gave me a resurgence of positivity, motivation and energy.”

Natasha Purnell, Chief Culture Officer, Park Insurance

“Michael Kerr delivered an absolutely outstanding performance – virtually! His energy and humorous content had our event attendees wanting our company to book him again!”

Kylene Donaldson, Western Financial Group

“Michael Kerr’s humor, messages and energy was not lost at all in the virtual format and allowed us to continue an important tradition of having fun and being together. His messages on how to build resiliency were delivered in an engaging way that really hit home!”

Brier Albano, Associate Registrar, Medicine Hat College

“With his high energy and animated presentation of over 90 minutes, he had everyone’s full attention!”

Jolaine Arsenault, Retail Market Analysis and Liaison Specialist, Co-op Atlantic

“Just wanted to say “WOW!” – that was awesome! We’ve had many speakers over the years, but none the likes of Michael Kerr.”

Richard Dansereau, President, NAPA Autopro BDG

“One of the most enjoyable keynote speakers we have worked with. Not only was it entertaining, it contained valuable lessons for our managers to take back to the office.”

Peter Panaritis, President, Brinks Canada Limited

“Many of the head office staff thought you were the best keynote speaker we’ve ever had! Thank-you for your invigorating and energizing keynote presentation.”

Tanya Dusyk, Territory Manager, Shell Canada

“Your dynamic and interactive presentation was the highlight of our conference. To this day, years later, we will often refer to the topics you enlightened and enriched our lives with!”

Steve Enns, Vice President and General Manager, TGS Harvard Management

“I wanted to share with you the amazing customer comments below. We’ve been employing various techniques that you described and I wanted you to know that your work makes a difference!”

Kevin Walsh, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Showdown Displays

“Yours was one of the most effective, enlightening, and entertaining presentations we’ve ever had at a conference (and we’ve had a lot!).”

Mario Bernardi, Executive Director, ClimateCare Co-operative

“You were by far the best rated speaker. Michael’s energy influenced my entire experience at the conference.”

Mary Anne Yurkiw, Food Matters Conference Chair

“YOU ROCK! Michael had everyone in stitches and offered amazing workplace food for thought.”

Janice Vilaca, Program Administrator, Co-operative Education, Wilfred Laurier University

“I’ve seen Michael four times – he’s amazing. You come away with knowledge on how to make your workplace better and you don’t even realize you were being taught because you are so busy being entertained.”

Michelle Kimura, Owner, MicAr Marketing

“Thanks to your suggestions, staff feel engaged and empowered to start creating an inspiring workplace. You have made a huge, positive impact in just 90 minutes!”

Paola Zurro, Senior Director, Real Property Branch

“Michael exceeded our expectations in every aspect. He was nothing short of the star of our event. By far, the best speaker we’ve ever had!”

Rod Smith, VP, Business Development, Century Vallen

Michael Kerr