31 January 2012
Successful Intentions Newsletter
Hi ,
Happy at work?
Being happy in your job is less about contentment and more about thriving according to research from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship.
Gretchen Spreitzer and her colleagues identified two components of thriving:
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Vitality: the sense of being alive, passionate and excited.
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Learning: the growth that comes from gaining new knowledge and skills.
These two qualities work in unison. One without the other is unlikely to be sustainable. For example, the researchers found that people who were high in both vitality and learning were 21% more effective as leaders than those who were only high in vitality. And those who were high in vitality and low in learning were 54% worse on health outcomes than those were high in both.
Happy employees it seems, really do produce more than unhappy ones over the long term.
And helping employees to thrive isn’t that expensive. Leaders and managers can jump-start a culture that encourages thriving and the productivity that follows it through a few simple shifts in attention. Here are five ways to thrive:
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Take a break: research shows that breaks and other renewal tactics, no matter how small, can create positive energy. Try to schedule a short walk, a bike ride, or a quick lunch in the park. Write it into your diary so that meetings don’t intrude.
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Craft your own work to be more meaningful: You can’t ignore the requirements of your job, but you can keep a watch for opportunities to make it more meaningful. Consider roles or projects in other parts of the organisation. Even if the pay is lower, the nature of the work may energise you,
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Look for opportunities to innovate and learn: Learning is essential to thriving. Look for ways to break out of the status quo and express your passion. Challenge yourself and others with innovative ideas. And focus on the small wins rather than the resistance.
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Invest in relationships that energise you: If the saying, “you become like whom you associate with” has any truth then it’s best to avoid those colleagues who are difficult and corrosive to work with. Try getting close to colleagues who generate energy. One way is to start every meeting with good news or expressions of gratitude.
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Recognise that thriving can spill over outside the office: research suggests that high levels of engagement at work don’t lessen your ability to thrive in your personal life but instead enhance it. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!” Thriving is not a zero-sum game. If you’re inspired by outside activities (volunteering, training for a race, taking a class), chances are you’ll bring that drive into the office. And if you find work inspires you, you will most likely thrive professionally as well as in your family life.
So you see , even in these uncertain economic times it’s better to thrive than survive! Try these simple steps to get more engaged with your work and encourage others to follow.
Follow me on my blog @ The Practice of Wisdom Psychology
Keep your intentions clear,
Peter Webb
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