Hi.  I’m Drew Clancy.

Getting better at getting better is what Rise With Drew is all about.

Monday through Thursday, we explore ideas from authors, thought leaders, and exemplary organizations.  On Friday, I share something about myself or what we at PCI are doing in our quest to earn a spot on Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

A few things about me…  Since 1999, I’ve been the CEO at Publishing Concepts.  At PCI, we are passionate about the power of storytelling to help our university, non-profit organization, and association clients engage their alumni, donors, and members.  To date, we’ve collected over one million stories.

My wife Carey and I got married on New Years’ Eve, 2020.  Being in the middle of the pandemic, it was an unconventional yet beautiful coming together – with just the two of us, our six children, and a whole lot of family and friends watching on Zoom.  I love being a husband to Carey and dad to our real-life Brady Bunch.  We have two out of college, two in college, and two in middle school.  My late wife Julie passed away from cancer in 2018.  That experience transformed me and how I show up in life. It brought me much closer to God and taught me how to surrender. Carey has been an answered prayer for me and my three girls.   

My first job after college was working for Lehman Brothers in the mergers and acquisitions group during the time the book Barbarians at the Gate was written. I also worked in the movie business for Castle Rock Entertainment for several years as the assistant to the assistant to the assistant. Oops, I left out an assistant.

I’m a big Chicago Cubs fan (the 2016 World Series championship was a mountain-top moment, for sure).  I’m a lifelong learner, a runner, and a music lover. 

I am also a workplace culture enthusiast.

That’s what I love most about my job. That’s why I write my Rise With Drew blog, in which I consider the “hows” and “whys” of building a great workplace culture as well as reflect on other topics that impact being a great place to work, including:

  • Unlocking human potential (getting better at getting better)
  • Servant leadership
  • Positive psychology and the power of gratitude
  • Faith and spirituality in the workplace
  • The power of storytelling

So, what exactly is a workplace culture enthusiast and why is that important?

Well, I believe all organizations have the potential to become great places to work.

And, why is that important?

Thirty-six.

According to Gallup, 36% percent of Americans were engaged at work in 2021. An all-time high, by the way (see graph below).

So, 64% of Americans are either not engaged (49%) or are actively disengaged and spreading discontent (15%).

There are about 164 million Americans in the workforce. 64% (about 100 million Americans!) woke up this morning hoping to survive the day by doing the minimum required or are miserable at work.

That represents a LOT of unrealized potential and untapped innovation.

That represents a LOT of lives that could be significantly better. Happier. Both at work and outside of work – i.e. happier marriages and families.

That’s why I’m a workplace culture enthusiast.