As a golf club wielding guy, a business owner and even an ex-Marine for Pete's sake, it took me awhile to appreciate the importance of happiness in the workplace. As Daniel Kahneman, winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize for economics, puts it: "Business is more about emotions than most businesspeople care to admit." It does make sense that happy workers are more engaged in the mission of your business and are more productive.
Recent surveys by the Gallup Management Journal show that happy and engaged employees have many advantages:
* They're much more likely to have a productive relationship with their boss
* They can deal with changes and challenges better
* They manage stress better--and have better health as a result
* They feel more valued by their company
* They enjoy greater overall satisfaction in their lives
My own research while giving workshops for small businesses across the country reveals the same findings, that one often overlooked key to retaining good team members is focusing on what really makes them happy. I spend a lot of ink on this in my book Finding Joy In Your Job, but here are some main points to consider.
What creates happiness in the workplace:
* When an employee's skills and aptitude match her job
* When workers have some control over their day
* When team members are encouraged to create their dream position where they already work
* When people have options for a flexible schedule
* When the office environment encourages new ideas and growth, rather than strict adherence to established ways of doing things
* When companies have a working process for problem solving
Employers who come from the Neanderthal School of Management: Show up, shut up and just do your job, will soon go the way of the dinosaurs, because no quality employee needs to put up with that kind of treatment anymore. While predicting numbers of new jobs and whether the employees will be there to fill them is an inexact science, most experts interpret data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to mean there will be a significant shortage of skilled workers in the near future--which will only escalate as Baby Boomers start turning 62 in 2008. Some labor analysts predict the U.S. economy will face a shortfall of 10 million workers by 2012. Even if there are enough people seeking jobs to match the number of openings, not enough of them will have the training and experience needed for the available positions, causing greater competition for the most qualified workers.
That means companies must rethink how they recruit, nurture and retain valued workers. As a sign of your concern for your employees' welfare, you can download my list of Happiness Habits to give to your team
Think about it--what do prospective hires witness when they walk through your office? Are they greeted by the relaxed, smiling faces of team members who are clearly happy to be at work? Do they hear laughter emanating from offices? Do they see people working together on projects or isolated in cubicles? High stress is almost palpable, so don't think interviewees can't sense it even on a brief tour.
Maybe it's time to have an open discussion with your entire staff and flat out ask them: What things would make you happier at work? The answers might surprise you. Employers often assume all that workers want is higher pay. That's just not true (assuming your team is fairly compensated for what they do). There are many quality of work life issues that cost little or nothing to improve, and the payoffs for all of you are enormous. It may be as simple as getting a bigger refrigerator for the break room or you joining the company softball team. You won't know until you ask.
About the Author
Pat Healey is a business owner, the author of Finding Joy In Your Job and a frequent speaker and workshop presenter. Learn more and download his free Personal Values Worksheet you can give to your team at: www.findingjoybook.com |
