John Bernatovicz

Get Rich – Write a Book!

But Not Rich in the Way You’re Thinking

For nearly 25 years of my professional career, I avoided writing a book, mainly because of the often-repeated truth: you don’t write a book to make money. Like many others, I had a habit of focusing on the financial aspects of decision-making. The reality is that most authors never see life-changing advances or even secure a publisher. From a business standpoint, publishers need to sell thousands of books to turn a profit.

When I wrote HR Like a Boss, I hoped for success—maybe even a bestseller. I set a goal to sell over 1,000 copies, knowing that only 10% of books ever achieve this. However, my motivation for writing shifted entirely before I even put pen to paper.

Why I Wrote HR Like a Boss

A Tribute to My Parents

In 2020, just weeks after my dad passed away—only a year after losing my mom—I began writing HR Like a Boss. Their loss profoundly changed me, reframing my perspective on life and success. My dad, in his final days, spent every moment with loved ones, making financial achievements seem insignificant by comparison.

This transformation clarified my purpose: to honor my parents by “making an impact.” While they never explicitly defined their purpose, they lived meaningful lives filled with connection and community. Writing a book about human resources—a field often misunderstood—became my way of honoring them and stepping outside my comfort zone.

A Therapeutic Journey

At the time, I wasn’t a habitual writer. Crafting a 50,000-word manuscript seemed daunting when my writing experience was limited to emails and occasional blogs. Inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear, I set a goal: write 1,000 words every weekend. Some weekends, the words flowed; others, I stared at the blinking cursor, paralyzed by imposter syndrome.

With the guidance of my therapist, Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips, I let go of perfectionism. Her advice was simple: “Write for yourself, not for others.” This freed me to enjoy the process, and writing became a skill I deeply cherished.

Sharing My Story

Making my book-writing goal public sparked an outpouring of support. People shared their own aspirations to write, inspiring me to tell personal stories and showcase amazing HR professionals who embody the principles of HR Like a Boss. This authenticity resonated with readers, many of whom reached out to share how my story impacted them.

Being genuine—whether in writing, relationships, or social media—became a cornerstone of my approach. Writing for myself, regardless of others’ opinions, made the journey fulfilling.

How I Got Rich

Building a Community

As I wrote HR Like a Boss, I connected with HR professionals and discovered the need for a supportive, collaborative community. Together with my team at Willory, we created a platform where HR and business professionals could share ideas, solve problems, and learn from one another.

The HR Like a Boss community has been transformative. Members appreciate the connection, the thought leaders we feature, and the free SHRM and HRCI recertification credits (at least 25 credits/year). I marveled at the interest in the community especially when giving away something, recertification credits, that often times cost hard-working HR professionals thousands of dollars.

Beyond this, we built a study group for graduating HR students, offering free SHRM certification prep with the support of my team from Willory and two amazing HR professors, Ali Dachner (John Carroll University) and Erin Makarius (University of Akron). In addition, the HR Like a Boss community covers the cost of the exam fee. Seeing the impact on new HR leaders who passed their exam with the support of the HR Like a Boss community is one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey.

Gaining Clarity of Thought

Writing gave me unparalleled clarity. Ideas that once floated vaguely in my mind became concrete through the discipline of writing. While not every idea made the cut (I wrote nearly 125,000 words but published just under 75,000), the process of refining my thoughts has profoundly influenced my work at Willory.

The principles in HR Like a Boss now guide our mission: helping organizations transform how people feel at work through the power of human resources. These ideas drive employee engagement, improve business results, and address societal challenges in the communities we serve.

Experiencing New Opportunities

Since the book launched, I’ve traveled across the country, met passionate HR and payroll professionals, and presented at major conferences like SHRM24, SHRM Talent, and Colorado SHRM. Each interaction reinforces the importance of bringing purpose and passion to HR.

From Disney’s Epcot to virtual sessions in Africa, the journey has been exhilarating and humbling. On a personal note, balancing the whirlwind with a few rounds of golf has provided the perfect way to recharge and spark new ideas.

Why Writing Made Me “Rich”

Writing HR Like a Boss wasn’t about financial gain. Instead, it enriched my life in far more meaningful ways:

  • Community: Building a supportive network of HR professionals has been deeply fulfilling.
  • Impact: Empowering HR leaders and giving back to students has inspired me to continue this journey.
  • Clarity: Writing honed my ideas, helping me lead with purpose and authenticity.
  • New Experiences: Connecting with diverse audiences and exploring new opportunities has been invaluable.

If you’re interested in joining the HR Like a Boss community, explore our platform here. Members gain free access to 25 SHRM credits, expert content, and a chance to connect with like-minded professionals.

I spent nearly 1,000 hours writing, editing, and promoting HR Like a Boss. It was a labor of love, honoring my parents, championing human resources, and building a community. For these reasons—and so many others unrelated to money—I’ve truly become “rich” thanks to writing my book.

Leave a Reply