"The world needs more books like this: books that share the journey to self-management and radical collaboration from the inside, books that give us a behind-the-scenes look at the hard process of unlearning a paradigm of zero-sum competition while building up a new way of seeing the world and the possibilities for a better way to work and live. Robert's story shines with authenticity and vulnerability, and weaves together a personal history of tragedy and triumph with a bevy of cross-cultural insights that few of us will ever experience for ourselves―which is exactly why this book is so valuable, and so very needed in the world today."

Matt K. Parker

Author, A Radical Enterprise

"Robert and his company have won awards for achieving the 'holy grail' of workplace culture: becoming a place where diverse people thrive. So many companies and CEOs aim to build transformational organizations and Robert has done that. His stories, global citizenship, humanity, and compassion shine through in this book which is a must read for today's leaders. Those who pay attention to the learning inside these pages will have the edge as we face the future of work."

Wendy Horng Brawer

Partner and Head of Innovation and Learning, Intune Collective

"Robert's personal journey and experiences provide valuable insights into building better places through compassion, authenticity, and non-violent communication. The stories shared in Better Places, along with practical advice and lessons learned, offer a roadmap for creating positive change in our communities and workplaces. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to transform their leadership style and build more compassionate and inclusive environments."

Traci Walker

Executive Director, Digital Services Coalition

"Robert Rasmussen's book takes you on an inspiring, surprising journey. His own remarkable story is one thread―of traumatic beginnings, healing found in the kind, collective culture of Norway, and a wise, successful return to his home country of America.

Robert weaves his tale together with lessons from key psychologists and organizational thinkers, and includes a stirring account of improved government service as well as the almost-too-good-to-be-true saga of his IT firm, Agile Six. But it is true that he co-founded a firm based on compassion and a commitment to help employees grow into their most authentic selves―a firm that is highly profitable even though it focuses on people and purpose first. The end result is that you truly travel to a new state of mind―one convinced that Better Places to work are both desperately needed and entirely possible."

Ed Frauenheim

Co-author of A Great Place to Work For All and Reinventing Masculinity: The Liberating Power of Compassion and Connection

"Better Places is essential reading for leaders aiming to foster environments where authentic collaboration happens and individuals flourish. I’ve been researching companies on the cutting edge of effective, human centered organizations for almost a decade. Robert presents a captivating narrative on the transformative power of compassion and community-building. Better Places serves as a guiding light for those in search of genuine, purpose-oriented workplaces and communities. Robert dares to challenge conventional leadership norms by championing self-management, inclusion, and prioritizing purpose over profits, and in doing so illuminates the transformative possibilities of an abundance mindset."

Travis Marsh

Human First Works Co-founder, Trainer, and Coach