In an age of AI, data and analytics. It’s important to understand the value of human interaction and what it can do for business and society. This book is a must read. -Sir John Hegarty, Amazon 5*

Finally a book that recognises what the world can teach business, rather than what business can teach the world. - Amazon 5*

Philippa's passion for and expertise in advocating for humanity within the corporate sphere radiate throughout the text, engaging the reader with a compelling call to action. -Amazon 5*

This is a truly seminal piece of work that not only demonstrates the benefit of a human-to-human approach to business but also highlights the imperative for a different approach to how we operate in the world, where people, the planet and business can all thrive. - Amazon 5*

Philippa White is passionate about unlocking a return on humanity - in business and beyond.

She is an international bestselling author, speaker, social innovator, and the Founder and CEO of TIE Leadership, a UK-based organisation that has spent over 20 years transforming leaders by positioning humanity as a competitive advantage. Through her experiential leadership programs, keynotes, and her acclaimed book Return on Humanity: Leadership Lessons from All Corners of the World, Philippa helps leaders build human-centred, innovative and resilient cultures that drive business success. What sets her apart is her global perspective. Drawing from lived experiences across the world, she challenges traditional Western business norms and shows how the most powerful leadership lessons often come from diverse, unexpected places.

Born in South Africa, raised in Canada, and now based in Brazil, Philippa’s people-first approach doesn’t just boost performance, it supports a more sustainable and connected world. She has worked with some of the world’s largest businesses and continues to advise organisations ready to embrace a more human, agile, and purpose-driven way of working. She is also the host of the TIE Unearthed podcast, the author of over 60 published articles and her book was shortlisted as a finalist for the 2025 business book awards in the leadership category. Philippa lives in Brazil with her two daughters. They love to spend weekends hanging out in the Atlantic rainforest with friends or exploring local beaches.

She also loves taking her 36kg German Shorthaired Pointer for walks in the countryside and when possible, whenever he’s not sailing across the world, spending time with her partner at the marina either sailing or fixing up the boat he designed.

• Cover Page
• Praise for Return on Humanity
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction: A leader driven by his humanity
• Section 1: Finding your humanity
  • Chapter 1: The special human ingredients
    • Creating connections
    • Flexibility and adaptability starting young
    • Checking egos at the door
    • My way or the highway
    • A shift to connection and belonging
    • Cultural intelligence and collaboration
    • The ripple effect and our dependence on others
  • Chapter 2: What liberates our human assets?
    • The power of disrupting zones of comfort
    • The power of wonder
    • The power of constraints
    • The power of perseverance with passion
    • The power of a positive mindset
    • The power of lived experience
    • The power of a beginner’s mind
  • Chapter 3: The impact of using human assets
    • The impact of compassion and agency
    • The impact of empathy
    • The impact of self-awareness and living a life with intention
    • The impact of following your inner compass
    • The impact of resilience
    • The impact of expanding perspectives
• Section 2: Creating more human leaders and companies
  • Chapter 4: The problem with old business paradigms
    • What if the main goal of business isn’t to just make money?
    • What if hiring good humans is more important than just leaders?
    • What if companies choose to be at the service of their people?
    • What if business as usual is failing to benefit everyone?
  • Chapter 5: How a company becomes more human
    • Fostering relationships
    • Having a north star that resonates with people
    • Creating a happy working climate
    • Creating the space to empower others
    • Trusting the strength of difference
    • Celebrating egoless leadership and a shared purpose
  • Chapter 6: The gold dust hidden in the outside-in perspective
    • Placing real people in the driver’s seat
    • Treating the planet as another customer
  • Chapter 7: The human stories behind corporate successes
    • Bringing out the best in leaders
    • Being a purpose-driven business: from humans to humans
    • Being in business to save the home planet
    • Forging long-lasting relationships over short-term efficiency
    • Putting humanity at the heart of design
• Section 3: The outcome of the return on humanity
  • Chapter 8: Creating the necessary conditions for magic to happen
    • The power of integrating humanity into the financial equation
    • The power of forging unlikely partnerships
    • The power of reintegrating people into society
    • The power of building mutually beneficial relationships
  • Chapter 9: The world is a global village, and we are all responsible for its future
    • Becoming consciously aware that local problems are not isolated issues
    • Leveraging the power of the private sector
    • Bringing out the best of people through accountability
    • Shrinking divides to make the world more human
  • Chapter 10: The opportunities out there waiting to be embraced
    • Creating ripples of possibility
    • Lessons from a hummingbird
    • A final challenge
    • An invitation
• Author’s notes
• Acknowledgements
• Notes
• Index