A Timely Take on Workplace Trust, Motivation, and Culture
Chicago, IL — Harmonious Workplaces announces the release of Hermie the HR Hermit Crab: Trust Fall Pratfalls, the third installment in its growing series that blends humor with evidence-based insights from Industrial-Organizational Psychology. The book is now available on Amazon.
In Trust Fall Pratfalls, Hermie and his coworkers navigate a workplace where trust is strained, motivation is uneven, and leadership decisions often send mixed signals. Through a series of illustrated workplace scenarios, the book explores common organizational challenges, including disengaged employees, ineffective training, excessive monitoring, a lack of psychological safety, and misaligned incentives.
“Many organizations say they value learning, engagement, and culture, but their systems don’t always reinforce those values,” said co-author and illustrator Rich Cruz. “This book takes a practical look at those gaps in a way that’s accessible, a little humorous, and grounded in real research and experience.”
Each chapter pairs a short cartoon narrative with a concise explanation of the underlying workplace dynamics, offering readers both recognition and reflection. Topics include:
- Why training often fails despite good intentions
- The short-term gains and long-term risks of surveillance-driven management
- How psychological safety impacts decision-making and innovation
- The role of leadership behavior in shaping motivation and culture
- Why symbolic perks can’t compensate for deeper organizational issues
The Hermie the HR Hermit Crab series is designed for leaders, HR professionals, managers, and employees who want to better understand how workplace culture actually functions and how it can be improved through intentional action.
“Trust is not built through slogans or one-off initiatives,” said co-author Sharyl Volpe. “It’s built through consistent behaviors and a willingness to not only listen but to shift those behaviors when new perspectives emerge. That’s what we hope readers take away from this book.”
Co-authored by Rich Cruz, Sharyl Volpe, and Ben Kleinman, with artwork coloring by E. Cruz, Trust Fall Pratfalls continues the series’ mission of helping organizations “make change their friend” through practical, people-centered approaches.
Hermie the HR Hermit Crab: Trust Fall Pratfalls is available now on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSLPSNBQ. For more information, visit www.hermiehrcrab.com or www.harmoniousworkplaces.com/shermiehrcrab.
About the Authors
Rich Cruz, MSIOP, MBA, SHRM-CP, is an Organizational Development and Change Leadership consultant, illustrator, and educator. He is the co-founder of Harmonious Workplaces, a consulting firm dedicated to building healthier workplaces through data-driven, people-centered strategies.
Sharyl Volpe, MSIOP, and Ben Kleinman, MBA, co-host The Harmonious Workplaces Podcast alongside Cruz, offering practical insights into workplace culture, engagement, and organizational change.
For Media Inquiries
Contact:
Rich Cruz
Harmonious Workplaces
Email: info@harmoniousworkplaces.com
Phone: 708-297-1535
About Harmonious Workplaces
Harmonious Workplaces specializes in addressing workplace challenges through innovative solutions rooted in organizational development, industrial-organizational psychology, and strategic HR. With a focus on creating meaningful and lasting change, the consultancy helps organizations foster collaboration, engagement, and well-being. Learn more at www.harmoniousworkplaces.com.
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