Rituals Roadmap Book Summary - Rituals Roadmap Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Rituals Roadmap summary

The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines Into Workplace Magic

4.4 (46 ratings)
21 mins

Brief summary

Rituals Roadmap by Erica Keswin explains how rituals can bring focus, purpose, and connection to our personal and professional lives. The book offers practical steps for developing meaningful rituals that enhance team dynamics and improve work-life integration.

Table of Contents

    Rituals Roadmap
    Summary of 7 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 7

    Workplace rituals make business sense.

    Being a journalist with the New York Times may sound glamorous – but, just like most of us, newsroom workers also have to contend with repetitive tasks like answering emails and attending meetings. For years, a beloved tradition at the newspaper helped break up the monotony. At exactly 4 p.m., a snack cart used to roll through the newsroom. Journalists rose and stretched, then headed over for some afternoon caffeine and conversation. 

    The 4 p.m. snack cart was a perfect workplace ritual – but why, exactly? And what do the words “workplace ritual” even mean? Well, the author believes all rituals tick a few very specific boxes. 

    The key message here is: Workplace rituals make business sense. What makes rituals work? 

    First, they need to rise beyond the practical. Let’s face it: Staff at the New York Times don’t really need a coffee cart – they can grab a coffee whenever they want. But gathering around that cart gave their coffee breaks greater purpose.

    Then there’s also something the author calls the Three Ps. One stands for purpose: as we’ve already seen, rituals make us feel part of something bigger. The other P is for psychological safety. And finally, the combination of purpose and psychological safety brings about greater performance. 

    Last but not least, you can always tell a good ritual by the fact that people miss it once it’s gone. A few years ago, the Times decided to get rid of the snack cart – and many journalists still regret that decision. 

    Creating rituals certainly requires psychological and emotional investment. But financially, they don’t really have to cost that much. For instance, the nonprofit organization DoSomething passes around a stuffed penguin toy at meetings. And Microsoft celebrates work anniversaries with M&Ms. 

    These little ceremonies are very affordable – but they are also priceless. They create social cohesion and engagement; they take away stress and reduce anxiety. These aren’t just lofty words: rituals make great business sense. The American Psychological Association found that workplace stress costs American companies $500 billion and 550 million workdays each year. 

    So simply by offering your employees a ritual, you can meet their need for belonging and purpose. And that creates a more human and engaging workplace.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Rituals Roadmap?

    Key ideas in Rituals Roadmap

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Rituals Roadmap about?

    Rituals Roadmap (2021) is a modern-thinking guide about how to create workplace rituals that increase employee engagement and strengthen team commitment. It’s an essential piece of wisdom for the human workplace.

    Rituals Roadmap Review

    Rituals Roadmap (2021) is a thought-provoking book that explores the power of rituals and how they can positively impact our lives. Here are three reasons why this book stands out:

    • With insightful stories and relatable examples, it demonstrates how rituals can enhance our well-being and boost productivity.
    • By providing a practical roadmap for creating meaningful rituals, the book empowers readers to design rituals that align with their values and goals.
    • Its emphasis on building connections and fostering a sense of belonging through rituals adds an extra dimension, making it a compelling read for anyone seeking deeper personal connections.

    Who should read Rituals Roadmap?

    • Managers looking to learn a more human touch
    • Team leaders seeking to instill team spirit
    • Those who want the magic of ritual to transform their work lives

    About the Author

    Erica Keswin has spent the past twenty years helping high-end brands apply the human touch to their workplace. Her work has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. Her previous book, Bring Your Human to Work, was number two on the Wall Street Journal best seller list. 

    Categories with Rituals Roadmap

    Book summaries like Rituals Roadmap

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    33 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Rituals Roadmap FAQs 

    What is the main message of Rituals Roadmap?

    The main message of Rituals Roadmap is the power of rituals to strengthen relationships, build resilience, and enhance well-being.

    How long does it take to read Rituals Roadmap?

    The reading time for Rituals Roadmap varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Rituals Roadmap a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Rituals Roadmap is a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their personal and professional lives. It provides practical insights and actionable steps for incorporating meaningful rituals.

    Who is the author of Rituals Roadmap?

    The author of Rituals Roadmap is Erica Keswin.

    What to read after Rituals Roadmap?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Rituals Roadmap, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Build It by Glenn Elliott and Debra Corey
    • Outlive by Peter Attia
    • The First Minute by Chris Fenning
    • Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
    • A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden
    • The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins
    • Pivot by Jenny Blake
    • You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman
    • The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt
    • The Stoic Path to Wealth by Darius Foroux