We don’t generally equate workplaces with joy. Why are workplaces and joy so disparate? Why wouldn’t we want to experience joy in the hours spent at work?
There is lots of discussion about how to improve well-being, satisfaction, engagement, and even happiness with our employees. These are critical and should be our goal as leaders. If employees don’t have these basic psychological needs met, distractions are high and productivity is low. However, there is less discussion about how to bring more joy to our workplaces.
Joy is an important step to achieving the wellbeing, engagement, and happiness that leaders are so vigorously pursuing. If the focus is on reducing burnout, start with bringing joy into the work.
What is the difference between joy and happiness? They are deeply intertwined but are also very distinct.
- Happiness is because of our circumstances.
- Joy is despite our circumstances.
- Happiness is conditional.
- Joy is unconditional.
- Joy is a choice.
When we intentionally bring joy into our day-to-day activities and into our workplace settings, happiness is not far behind. And when people are happy, their satisfaction, motivation, and engagement naturally increase.
It can be confusing to decide what are the best methods to drive motivation and results for our unique team members and teams.
However, there are basic human instincts and desires that underly us all. Often it is simple and small human behavior shifts that can have the greatest impact on our people and our businesses.
Here are a few ideas to bring more joy into your workplace. And none of them need to cost any incremental dollars or even any extra time.
1. Shift perspective on the situation
We make a choice in how we approach every moment of our day. When we choose to react to challenges as opportunities, when we choose to celebrate the small wins,or to share a smile with a colleague, we are building a stronger culture where people are more motivated to bring their best selves.
2. Leaders can set an example
Culture is established in every interaction at every level but it’s critical that leaders set the tone. When employees see leaders bringing joy and smiles to the office and when leaders set an expectation that joy is not only acceptable but that it is encouraged, it is more likely to catch on across the culture.
3. Add joy to the agenda
Workdays can become so full of meetings, tasks, fire drills, and stress, that it becomes easy to skip over the moments of joy in favor of what seem to be more urgent items. Build habits into your ways of working where people are prompted to share something that makes them smile, to say high and share a smile with someone new, or to reflect on a moment of joy. Be intentional about bringing moments of smiles and joy into the workplace.
Every team is different, and many leaders try monetary rewards, leadership training, and other various ways to drive engagement and satisfaction in employees.
Joy is a game-changer. And it’s low risk. There don’t have to be incremental costs. Those smiles are contagious. Joy is a manifestation of kindness in action. And spreading those smiles and joy has proven benefits for your business.
Learn more: www.KindWorks.AI
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