Welcome to Transform’s Q&A Author Spotlight Series, where we feature insightful authors who are redefining people and culture, work, leadership, and technology. Join us to gain fresh perspectives and practical knowledge from those at the forefront of today’s evolving professional landscape.
About The Author
Anessa Fike, otherwise known as the Queen of Fractional HR, is CEO and Founder of Fike + Co, a consulting firm that specializes in interim or Fractional People, HR, and Talent Leadership with companies that are experiencing growth, scale, transition, or transformation. After leading more than a dozen startups as Chief People Officer and working with more than 110 organizations globally, she has recently authored her first book, “The Revolution of Work: Fuck the Patriarchy and the Workplace It Built.” Anessa has been named Most Inclusive HR Influencer, is an IDEA Practitioner with NASA, and is on the Leadership Council for the National Small Business Association.
About The Book and the Inspiration Behind It
Q: Share with us the story behind the moment(s) that inspired you to write your book, The Revolution of Work: Fuck the Patriarchy and the Workplace It Built.
A: Since I studied and graduated in journalism for my undergraduate degree and English for my master’s degree, I had an idea that I’d always write a book. I just thought it’d honestly be a fiction book. Yet, in October 2022, a well-known publisher contacted me about writing a book around HR. Let’s just say that after working with more than 100 organizations over the years, I saw trends that I was also itching to write about, but I wanted to make an impact and write a book that was different than what I saw in the market around HR and People topics. I knew that we needed a drastic change in the workforce, and I also knew that every time I heard the phrase “future of work,” I rolled my eyes. And I was far from the only one to do this. So, I then knew it was time for a book on The Revolution of Work.
Q: Can you share a brief overview of your book?
A: Well, first and foremost, if you are comfortable with traditional HR, this book isn’t for you. It’s a very real and authentic declaration of what is wrong in the work world, who we need to help change it, and ways that we can really burn down the status quo in the work world and rebuild it back way better.
Q: Could you share a memorable anecdote or story from your book?
A: There are so many stories in the book. In fact, every chapter in the first part of the book has a personal story, if not a few. I think one of the most memorable stories is also one of the reasons I think I fell into HR; I had a horrible boss in my first career role out of college, and the workplace was toxic. You’ll have to read the introduction of the book to learn more.
Q: What are the key points or thoughts you want to impact your readers the most?
A: That work needs a change, and we need everyone to realize that AND then ACT to change it. Disengagement and employee burnout is at the highest levels we’ve ever seen, so not only is work not getting better, but our workplaces are making things worse and worse.
Q: As an author, what was the most rewarding part of researching and writing your book?
A: I think for me, there were a lot of pieces that I thought I had processed and worked through personally; yet when I wrote the book, it was almost like the last piece of the puzzle for me and cathartic at the same time. There was actually a lot of emotional release and closure that came in writing the book.
Q: Describe the target audience for your book.
A: Anyone who works in a corporate environment or wants to change how we work in the US.
Q: Who would get the most value from reading your book?
A: HR and People people, anyone from underrepresented and marginalized groups, and leaders in organizations
Q: What unique experience do you, as an author, bring to this book and its subject matter?
A: I’ve been in HR/People/Talent for almost 15 years, I’ve been a Chief People Officer/Head of HR/People/Talent more than a dozen times, and I’ve worked with more than 100 companies around the world, from nonprofit to for-profit public companies, from small startups to large corporations.
Q: Are there any new projects or upcoming books you’re working on that you’d like to share a sneak peek of with our readers?
A: Not yet….but stay tuned.
About the Reader
Q: Describe what a leader/organization looks like one year after reading your book and committing to its teachings.
A: Change in their workplace for the better, change in their work life for the better, and incremental change for the better in the overall way we work in our country.
Q: Considering a reader who just finished your book and is processing all the great insights, what is the first step they should like to operationalize their learning?
A: Start where they are. Understand where they may be adding to the harm in their organizations, where organizations as a whole are realistically, and what they need to work on.
Q: Share three takeaways from The Revolution of Work that the reader should walk away with.
A: Work is broken. We need more drastic change than just talking about “the future of work” because most of those conversations are around things I had already done for 5-10 years. Work is so bad, and the way that it is currently is because it works for those in power. In order to change that, we have to question WHY we do things and WHY the status quo exists. And we need to push against the status quo all the time so that we can create better workplaces for all humans to thrive.
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