Love your workplace
One theme I’ve noticed during my years of coaching and consulting is that workplaces are generally not seen as a good thing. If we were giving people’s relationship to work a grade, it would be C+ at best. Who reading this would be happy with a C+?
I recently attended a webinar hosted by Harvard Business Review featuring Marcus Buckingham, an expert on workplace happiness and founder of the StandOut strengths assessment. He said something that resonated with my observations: People don’t feel nourished at work.
That is what has led to “The Great Resignation” in our society, or more accurately, according to Marcus, “THE GREAT REASSESSMENT.” People are asking themselves, “What is work doing for me psychologically?”
So what can you do about this if you are worried about losing people on your team? Or if you yourself are considering leaving, and want to enjoy work more? In both instances, the work to turn it around really begins with YOU. If you can LOVE at least 20% of your time at work, you will be more engaged. When the number tips below 20%, even slightly, people start to become disengaged. But at least some of this is IN YOUR CONTROL. How can you put a different spin on things or change your mindset so the uninteresting and routine tasks become more interesting and engaging?
Additionally, leaders, whether for teams, departments, or companies, need to ask themselves, “Why do we deserve really good employees?” And then use those answers to recalibrate efforts.
With remote working, alternating days in the office, and virtual meetings becoming the “norm”, it’s a great time to reassess what’s working and not working for you. I challenge you to come up with:
Three things you LOVE about your workplace. The view from your office, the difference you are making with clients, the flexibility, etc.
Three things you would like to CHANGE. Shorter commute, fewer interruptions from colleagues, getting out of your cubicle, etc.
Three ways you can make your routine tasks more ENGAGING. Meet a colleague for coffee while you each respond to emails, plan walking meetings, set aside a specific time each day/week for the least desirable tasks, etc.
Warmly,
Bijal
The intent of these emails is to provide different perspectives, ideas, and insights as you navigate the path forward for yourself, your team, your organization, and your family.
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Bijal Choksi, MA, CHPC, ACC