About three months ago, I
organized a cross-functional brainstorming session of colleagues at work to
determine new course ideas for continuing education. After listing all of the ideas, with the help of a smart
student, we arrived at a mind map of the ideas. The outcome was a course on Positive Psychology that will be
offered during the summer as an evening class.
In the process of finding an
instructor for that class, I came across a book called “Happiness at Work –
Maximizing your Psychological Capital for Success” by Jessica Pryce-Jones. The author’s research compared
unhappiest and happiest people at work and found that the happy people are 180
percent more energized, 180 percent happier with life, 155 percent happier in
their job, achieve their goals 30 percent more, and contribute 25 percent
more.
The author is quick to note
that happiness at work absolutely isn’t about always smiling, thinking
positively, or about being in a permanently sunny mood. In fact she says that is patently
absurd and does not work. “It
involves a mix of high moments accompanied by some low ones, a journey in which
you grow and flourish, and at the same time overcome your negative emotions. And you can do that best when you use
insight and reason to help you.
Sometimes the tasks, resources, outcomes, and time-frames are clear and
comfortable, sometimes they’re not.
But the tough stuff results in learning. Because that’s when you have to struggle to perform at your
best, or make a breakthrough in what you’re doing. So extend yourself and fulfill your potential.”
Achieving your potential is
the key. The author notes that
there are five clear factors which are called the 5Cs at the core structure of
happiness at work. They are (i)
Contribution – your effort, (ii) Conviction – your motivation no matter what
the circumstance, (iii) Culture – how you fit at work, (iv) Commitment – your
extent of engagement, and (v) Confidence – belief in yourself and your
job.
The inner tier of the 5Cs
consists of Pride, Trust, and Recognition. If you are proud of your workplace, you will also trust your
colleagues and leaders and vice versa.
Pride is about the value of your work and trust is your faith in the
organization. Recognition is about
what you get back from your work.
Finally, the happiest people
work are 47 percent more productive that their least happy colleagues. “In concrete yet conservative terms
they are contributing a day and a quarter more than their least happy colleagues.
Per week.”
