Monday, April 14, 2014
Good morning,
In a recent LinkedIn survey, here are 10 things folks said they needed to be happy in their jobs. If you have good employees and want to make sure to retain them, read on. These came straight from them, so listen and learn.
1. I need to like what I do.
“Do I like what I do, am I good at it, do others respect me for it? Do I find purpose in it, and can I have fun along the way?”
2. I need to be in control of my schedule.
“I’d like flexible scheduling. I’ve always been more productive later in the day. Mornings are not my thing. Also the ability to work from home 1-2 days a week.”
“For me one of the big things to my career happiness is being able to have a work-life balance.”
3. I need to respect the leadership team.
“It is important to be working with a leadership team that you respect, trust and who inspires you. Settling for less puts limits on yourself and the organization.”
“I think it is important that a company asks for feedback from its employees, and that the employees feel comfortable enough to give this feedback. If the company is willing to listen, I think many of the employees’ needs and wants will be granted, within reason.”
4. I need to always be learning on the job.
“Doing something that provides no challenge with people from whom I can learn nothing makes me unhappy.”
“Is there intellectual fulfillment in my day-to-day? Are both the left and right sides of my brain being exercised to my satisfaction?”
“It is important to continue challenging ourselves. Sometimes our craving for something new and unknown is what keeps us from feeling happy with what we have.”
5. I need to find a job that aligns with my strengths.
“Pay close attention to the elements of work you are drawn to over time; for example, managing others, writing, or process development. Watch for organizational changes (growth, structure, process) that throw you off course. These can lead to mismatches.”
“The formula I use includes matching what you are good at (strengths) to passions/motivations. This will help you identify the right type of work or job. Then, it’s important to match your values to the values and environment of the company. Matching only to strengths won’t work.”
6. I need a company that supports employee growth.
“The main things I look for in a company – that they believe in me and will support my growth and creative process. ”
“It only takes a few people in an organization who are passionate about their work and the people they are entrusted to develop to make a difference.”
7. I need a workplace with “good culture.”
“I personally have never met anyone that wakes up excited EVERY-day for work. It’s work; if it was supposed to be fun it would be called super happy fun time. Being in a quality environment really helps.”
“Great colleagues!!! They can turn a crappy job into a job that’s fun to go to.”
8. I need a job that compensates me fairly.
“Having a healthy bank account provides more formulas of success than anyone could possibly imagine.”
“Salary is primary – it allows one to breathe a little easier outside of work. Further benefits are secondary, and they can be accommodated with the right monetary compensation.”
9. I need to feel valued.
“I am not at work just to receive a pay check, I take pride in my work. Management’s efforts to acknowledge that, recognizing me as a valuable contributor, makes all the difference.”
“Do those I work for acknowledge me as a human being, or am I just a cog? Does my boss realize I exist, or does he/she just throw things at me to do without a word?”
“Part of what makes me happy is having people who are either in a superior position or in a different position of the company than myself who actually listen to and respect the contributions made by others. “
10. I need to feel like I’m making a difference in the world.
“I want to do things that really matters and positively influence someones life (and I want to be able to clearly identify this someone).”
“What I do has to make a positive and substantial contribution to something bigger (could be as simple as seeing the connection between selling a product to improve people’s lives and improve the company’s bottom line).”
Listening to your employees will make a big difference in their work envirornment. And yours.