Happiness at Work – Does It Matter?

I don’t like the term ‘happy’ when it comes to work.  It’s too New Age Cumbaya.  Though, if pressed, I would fall back on my sample of one and recall the times I’ve been most creative, effective and productive at work and it’s always been when I’m most confident in myself, when I’m most comfortable fitting into my surroundings and when I’m generally happy.  Yes, it matters.

I just finished reading Johan Lehrner’s latest called How We Decide and he off-handedly plucks out a study by Mark Jung-Beeman showing that people with a positive mood (read: happy) are able to solve 20% more puzzles than unhappy people.  And conversely, people with higher anxiety solved fewer problems and were slower doing so.

photo by tricky

A majority of us now work in knowledge industries.  Everything we do is about solving problems, creatively improving products and processes and finding new ways to out-flank our competition.  Everything requires creativity.  And insofar as speed to execution and problem-solving matter to your business then it behooves you to pay attention to what your employees are feeling.

It’s not making sure they have M&Ms, on-site dry cleaning or yoga classes.  But making sure that,

1. their needs and career goals are being met
2. they are a part of the company’s mission
3. their work matters
4. they feel as though they’re getting a fair shake.  That is, their values are well-aligned with the company’s
5. they know how well they are performing

Just as Happy Cows make better cheese so do happy employees make better products.

[To read Jung-Beeman's full study download the PDF for the 'Positive Mood and Anxiety Modulate Anterior Cingulate Activity and Cognitive Preparation for Insight.' It's the first title.]

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