Rituals Roadmap by Erica Keswin Summary

Rituals Roadmap explores how intentional workplace rituals boost connection, productivity, and employee retention. Erica Keswin combines scientific research with case studies from companies like Adobe and LinkedIn, showing how rituals—such as structured onboarding or gratitude practices—transform routines into meaningful traditions. The book emphasizes the "Three Ps" framework (People, Purpose, Process) to design rituals that align with company values.

This book is ideal for leaders, HR professionals, and managers seeking to build stronger team cultures in hybrid or remote environments. It’s also valuable for employees interested in fostering connection and anyone studying organizational psychology. Keswin’s actionable examples make it accessible for startups to Fortune 500 teams.

Yes—it debuted as a Wall Street Journal bestseller and offers practical, research-backed strategies for improving workplace culture. Readers praise its relatable examples, like using a stuffed penguin for gratitude exchanges at meetings, and its focus on balancing technology with human-centric practices.

The Three Ps—People, Purpose, and Process—guide effective ritual design:

• People: Involve stakeholders in creating rituals.
• Purpose: Align rituals with organizational values.
• Process: Establish clear, repeatable steps.

This framework helps companies turn mundane tasks (e.g., meetings) into impactful traditions.

Keswin highlights rituals that bridge physical and virtual teams, such as “virtual coffee breaks” or themed onboarding packages. She argues that intentional rituals combat isolation and maintain culture in distributed teams, citing examples from remote-friendly companies like DoSomething.

Some reviewers note the informality of Keswin’s writing may feel unacademic, though others praise its accessibility. A few readers wanted more remote-specific rituals, suggesting the book leans slightly toward in-office examples.

While Bring Your Human to Work focuses on workplace empathy broadly, Rituals Roadmap drills into actionable systems for sustaining connection. Both emphasize human-centric cultures, but this sequel provides more tactical templates, like structuring feedback sessions or celebrating milestones.

Absolutely—Keswin includes scalable examples, such as a three-question check-in to start meetings or monthly “learning lunches.” These low-cost rituals help startups build identity without large budgets.

“Rituals create community and change us in a way that conjures lifelong commitments.” This underscores the book’s thesis that intentional traditions foster loyalty and shared purpose, whether through gratitude practices or collaborative problem-solving.

Keswin advises tracking engagement surveys, retention rates, and qualitative feedback. For example, LinkedIn’s “InDay” ritual (monthly self-care time) correlated with higher employee satisfaction scores, demonstrating measurable impact.

As workplaces grapple with AI integration and shifting employee expectations, the book’s emphasis on human-centric rituals offers a counterbalance to automation. Its hybrid-work strategies are particularly timely, helping teams maintain cohesion amid rapid technological change.

1. Rituals > Routines: Elevate habits by tying them to meaning.
2. Inclusion Matters: Co-create rituals with diverse input.
3. Adaptability: Regularly refine rituals to stay relevant.

These principles help organizations navigate modern workplace dynamics while preserving culture.