Podcast 181 : Happiness At Work with Jessica Pryce-Jones

Do you remember what Walt Disney used to say about Disneyland? --That is was the happiest place on earth. If you have ever visited Disneyland or Disney World then you will experience a culture of people that really love their work. I recently learned that of the trillions we are spending on health care in our country, that 70% of the dollars spent are allocated to five chronic diseases of which depression is one of the aliments. This is a staggering amount of money being spent to keep our workforce happy and more productive. What I am wondering is why are so many of us reverting to anti-depressants to just sustain our life, and why can't happiness be a natural life occurrence?. If you have some of these same questions, then you are going to love my interview with author Jessica Pryce-Jones about her new book entitled, "Happiness at Work". In our interview together we explore the mindset that is part of a happy productive person and the associated workplace environment that fosters happiness. Jessica spent over five years studying 3,000 people and compiling data on what creates happiness in the workplace. She discovered that there are five main components of happiness at work, and they are:

• ✦Contribution: For individuals, this means achieving one's goals, having clear objectives, raising issues that are personally important, and feeling secure in one's job. It also consists of being listened to, getting positive feedback, being respected by one's boss, and feeling appreciated.
• ✦Conviction: This means being motivated, feeling effective and efficient, showing resiliency when time are tough, and perceiving that one's work has a positive impact on the world.
• ✦Culture: People who feel they fit well at work enjoy their jobs, like their colleagues, appreciate the values the workplace stands for, believe they are being treated fairly, and feel that they have control of their daily activities.
• ✦Commitment: Means identifying your overall purpose, finding meaningful work, being interested in your job, and believing in the vision of your organization. Increasing commitment is just as much an individuals responsibility as it is a corporate one--the company's vision and strategies should be understood at every staff level.
• ✦Confidence: It's important to choose jobs, goals, and challenges that push the boundaries of one's comfort zone in order to grow confidence. Increasing confidence also means creating safety mechanisms and support when trying new and difficult things.

So, if you want a workplace filled with happy workers who are more productive, engaged and willing to contribute, then you need to read this wonderful book by Jessica Pryce-Jones. You can also visit her website by clicking here to learn more about her company iOpener, and the studies she has completed. Enjoy this wonderful interview with someone who know what it takes to make a workplace the happiest place on earth.