There’s Nothing a Cookie Can’t Solve: How to Make Employees’ Happiness Last
It’s been nearly a solid two decades since Nokia rolled out its first cell phone and let’s be real here – most of us have probably spent some time hooked on the classic Snake game, out of breath as you tried to avoid its tail. And here we are in 2019, fueled by even more advanced technology that can go beyond average human intelligence. A camera filter that instantly turns men into women, or vice versa? That’s quite insane. Our point is – we’ve come a long way, and we certainly aren’t stopping. Yet, despite such breakthroughs, many organizations still struggle to let go of traditional ideologies. Imagine trying to plug your earphones into a vintage record player, that’s the equivalent to forcing old-school management styles on modern-day work-life expectations. It just won’t work.
Finding Happy People
Depression and anxiety aren’t something you can overcome just by telling yourself, “you’re strong!” In fact, the World Health Organization estimated that the two account for 1 trillion US dollars in lost productivity globally each year. To save the hassle, one might think, “what if we just hire ‘happy people’ to begin with.” It seems quite rational, doesn’t it?
The leap in science and technology on understanding human behavior has undoubtedly made it easier to measure a candidate’s personality and approach to work. For instance, is this person more optimistic or cautious towards new ventures? Are they the type who works to live or lives to work? Of course, putting the weight solely on the happy factor is not recommended, and we encourage recruiters to find the right fit by comparing various traits to what matches a successful profile of a position (also known as a benchmark). But this doesn’t mean your job is over after this. Once you’ve hired the best player, your next step is to keep them happy!
The Ways to Someone’s Heart
Luckily, although ironic, we have the media to thank these days for the increase in mental health awareness. In addition to the typical health care insurance or paid vacation, top companies are finally prioritizing their employees’ state of mind by rolling out wellness programs like free gym memberships, weekly yoga classes, and other trendy perks.
However, tell us the truth – how many “om’s” and “ah’s” do you think you’ll need to make you feel wholesomely better? Maybe I’m just very easy to please, but sometimes a simple act of kindness is already enough to put myself in a better mood. In the case of a workplace, kindness goes beyond the quality of being friendly and considerate. A “kind” corporate culture could mean:
- Expressing gratitude and praise regularly
- Abandoning/minimizing workplace hierarchy
- Putting trust in your employees
- Sharing positive encounters or customer success stories with one another
Something as subtle as offering free cookies can make a difference too. I mean, what kind of person would ever turn their heads away from free food?
To sum up, the focus on mental health is crucial, and in a business point of view – it is a competitive advantage. Millennials being labeled as the ‘burnout generation’ isn’t just an act of pity but a concerning issue, after all, considering how they will be occupying 75% of the workforce by 2025. So don’t be a vintage record player – be the iPhone to our AirPods instead.