Hi there,

One day I was sitting on a plane during a night flight from Nicaragua to Amsterdam. It had been an exhausting week—first, a transatlantic journey to Peru; then, a ride on a small, shaky plane to Nicaragua; and now, the long haul back to Europe. We were setting up new offices in these countries, and my role was to ensure that all our people and talent processes were aligned with headquarters. My mission was to build the same vibrant culture across all our locations.

It was hard work—many flights, countless meetings, and navigating different cultures. Yet, despite the long, sleepless night on the plane, a surprising feeling washed over me: happiness. Fulfillment. Why? Because I was doing something deeply meaningful to me—I was helping to build a culture where people could thrive at work.

That’s why the book I’m writing now matters to me, and that’s why it should matter to you, too.

Let’s face it, the statistics are alarming. According to the Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report, 62% of employees are not engaged. These are people who are just “quietly quitting”—showing up to work, putting in the hours, but mentally and emotionally checked out. Worse yet, 15% are actively disengaged, meaning they’re “loudly quitting”—resentful, vocal, and making it known that their needs aren’t being met. This level of disengagement doesn’t just affect the individual; it’s a productivity killer for organizations. Globally, 41% of employees report experiencing significant stress on any given day, and for the actively disengaged, that number jumps to 54%.

Think about that for a moment. Half of your disengaged employees are walking around feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and dissatisfied. They’re not happy with their work, and many of them wish they had chosen a different path. The result? Burnout is on the rise, “quiet quitting” is a widespread trend, and companies are losing valuable talent and productivity.

This is personal for me. My mission is to create workplaces where people can thrive—where they do meaningful work they love, excel at it, and, in turn, create value for their organizations, clients, communities, and the world. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most effective way to create such workplaces is by building strong, cohesive teams.

When people work in teams, something remarkable happens. Feeling part of a team significantly drives employee engagement and satisfaction, contributing not only to performance but also to overall well-being. Positive team dynamics provide a space for meaningful interaction, support, and a sense of belonging. And when employees feel supported and valued in their teams, they experience higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and psychological safety.

Effective teamwork isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. It’s the foundation that supports both individual well-being and organizational success. Teams that work well together enhance business outcomes, boost revenue, and foster a culture of collaboration that keeps engagement high.

That’s why I’m writing this book. I want to help you create an environment where you and your team members feel productive, engaged, and fulfilled—where work transforms from a grind to a place of growth and purpose. Through the strategies, tools, and insights we’ll explore together, you’ll learn how to build strong, high-performing teams that not only drive business success but also make work a place where people thrive.

If you’re eager to be one of the early readers, dive into the strategies I share, and co-create this book with me, I’d love to hear from you. Respond to this email, and I’ll send you the very first draft of my book.

Cheers,

Daria

PS - I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Connect with me on LinkedIn and X for insights, and let’s keep the conversation going!