This is what makes employees happy at work | The Way We Work, a TED series

Summary

The script explores the importance of employee happiness, revealing that 40% of the global workforce is unhappy at work. It emphasizes that trust, respect, and fairness are key to creating a happy workplace, with examples from Four Seasons and Salesforce. Additionally, it stresses the importance of genuine listening and the impact of leadership behavior on the work experience.

Takeaways

• 🌟 About 40% of the three billion workers worldwide report being happy at work, indicating a significant portion of the workforce is dissatisfied.
• 💰 Organizations with happy employees experience three times the revenue growth compared to those with unhappy employees, highlighting the financial benefits of a content workforce.
• 📈 Happy employees also contribute to better stock market performance, outperforming by a factor of three, demonstrating the impact of employee satisfaction on business success.
• 🔄 Organizations with many happy employees have half the employee turnover rate, suggesting that job satisfaction can significantly reduce staff churn.
• 💸 Enhancing employee happiness does not necessarily require additional financial investment; it's more about how employees are treated by their leaders and colleagues.
• 🤝 Trust and respect are crucial in creating a happy workplace, and leaders should ensure their actions align with their words to foster genuine trust.
• 🏨 The Four Seasons is an example of an organization that empowers employees by trusting them to make decisions in servicing customers, which can boost employee morale and service quality.
• 🏦 Fairness in treatment is essential for maintaining trust in an organization, as perceived unfairness can rapidly erode employee confidence.
• 🌐 Salesforce is highlighted as an organization that addressed pay disparities between men and women, investing in fairness to maintain employee trust and satisfaction.
• 👂 Listening is more than just hearing; it involves being humble, seeking the best ideas, and genuinely considering employee input in decision-making processes.
• 🌱 Change should be driven by a strong belief or purpose, not merely for the sake of change. Employees are more likely to embrace change when it aligns with their values and the organization's mission.

Q & A

What percentage of the world's working population is estimated to be unhappy at work?

Approximately 40 percent of the three billion working people in the world, which translates to about 1.8 billion or nearly two billion people, are not happy at work.

How does employee happiness impact organizational revenue growth?

Organizations with a lot of happy employees have three times the revenue growth compared to those with less happy employees.

What is the relationship between employee happiness and stock market performance?

Organizations with happy employees outperform the stock market by a factor of three.

How does employee turnover compare in organizations with happy employees versus those with unhappy employees?

Employee turnover is half in organizations with a lot of happy employees compared to those with many unhappy employees.

What is the key to making employees happy without spending more money?

The key is not about providing perks like ping-pong tables or massages, but rather how employees are treated by their leaders and colleagues.

What are the two essential elements found in organizations where employees are happy?

Trust and respect are the two essential elements present in organizations where employees are happy.

Why might an employee feel untrusted if 15 people have to approve a laptop purchase?

The excessive approval process for a relatively simple purchase can make the employee feel that their judgment is not trusted, despite leaders claiming to trust and empower them.

What is an example of an organization that demonstrates high trust in its employees?

Four Seasons is an example of an organization that demonstrates high trust in its employees by allowing them to make decisions on servicing customers as they see fit.

What is the primary factor that erodes trust in an organization?

The primary factor that erodes trust in an organization is when employees feel they are being treated unfairly.

How did Salesforce address the issue of pay inequality between men and women?

Salesforce calculated the difference in pay between men and women in the same job roles and invested three million dollars to balance things out, demonstrating a commitment to fairness.

What is the true essence of listening according to the script?

The true essence of listening is being humble and always searching for the best idea possible, rather than just repeating what the person says or maintaining eye contact.

Why is it important for employees to feel that their ideas are considered in decision-making?

It is important because employees want to know that their contributions matter and could potentially influence decisions, which can lead to a sense of value and inclusion.

What motivates people to change in a meaningful way according to the script?

People are motivated to change in a meaningful way when there is a strong belief or purpose that they are willing to risk almost everything for, rather than just trying to be a better person.