From darkness comes light, from light comes life
Change is the only permanent thing in life. And it’s only checkmate is a tradition of happiness, because happiness builds and boosts resilience. Change is permanent, and the resilient learn to either “LEAN IN” or “Leave The Brakes, Hit Neutral, Steer the Wheel and Ride it Out”. Let’s chat about creating happiness in the workplace for improved resilience, after all, a Strong, Vibrant, Happy and Incorporated Team is a resilient, creative and productive one.
Happiness is the maximisation of Pleasure, Positivity, Purpose and Meaning. It is both Experienced and Reflective. Its four design principles include: Basic Needs, Autonomy, Mastery and Belonging.
All over the world, people are confronting exceptional challenges, as we all fight an invisible virus waging war on us, whilst we grapple with the attacks on all aspects of our wellbeing; Mental, Physical, Social, Emotional and Financial. For most, it feels like slowly sinking into quicksand, desperately trying to catch a rope, or being in a fast moving car with blown out tyres. Before this pandemic, it was reported that 1 in 4 workers in the UK would suffer from mental ill health resulting in less productivity.
How can HR and Senior Management aka Superheroes ensure their people’s wellbeing, protect them from mental health issues and Burnout in the midst of constantly changing Government guidelines?
4 ways to ensure a Strong, Vibrant, Happy and Incorporated team:
Basic Needs: Give praise and appreciation. Sometimes, all we need is a simple acknowledgement to calm our nerves. We all have a need to be seen and heard. Ensure you see and hear your people. It is a simple and effective way to show kindness at work.
Autonomy: Enquire and propose a more flexible work schedule to suit your peoples’ unique circumstances. Discourage an always on practice. Encourage daily and weekly SMART goals. This way, you avoid Burnout of employees, from always being on call. Work with them to create boundaries for the working day and clearly communicate priorities. Allow your team choose what works best for them.
Mastery: Invest in a holistic Wellbeing Action Plan that would not only rejuvenate and inspire but educate your people in diverse subjects/themes, enabling them to gain CPD qualifications. This creates a sense of accomplishment and pride, increasing engagement and commitment.
Belonging: Be proactive about creating and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, and heard. Seek employees input before making policies or decisions to ensure you are not overlooking anyone’s needs, avoiding stress and resentment.