Use Positive Psychology in the workplace

As our previous employee engagement article explored there is a clear link between effective employee engagement and the success of any business. Research in the US has long since cemented this correlation. In 2004 a study published in the journal American Behavioural Scientist found that “Teams with buoyant moods who encouraged each other earned higher profits and better customer satisfaction ratings.” Positive psychologists have also conducted convincing research that shows that people who experience more joy and contentment in their lives are also able to think more broadly and creatively (essential qualities for many job roles).

As the US seems to have realised there has never been a more appropriate time to use the lessons of Positive Psychology in the workplace. According to a Wall Street Journal article, employee satisfaction is at an all-time low - just 45% of US workers are satisfied with their jobs, as compared to 52% of workers in 2005, and 61% in 1987. In order to offset this lapse several key American companies have taken the drastic step of hiring professional coaches to engage their employees and teach them the lessons of Positive Psychology.

According to Positive Psychologists there are three main types of happiness:

1. Positive Emotion/Pleasure - People find happiness by leading a pleasant lifestyle.

2. Engagement - People find happiness when they are able to “lose themselves” in their work and activities.

3. Meaning - People find happiness by participating in what they feel are meaningful activities.

The happiest people among us are thought to experience all three types of happiness.

But before British employers start following suit and employing coaches to ensure that their employees are happy there a number of very small steps that can be taken that will make a huge difference to their working lives. One of the most obvious ways to bring meaning to anyone’s work is to give it context. By helping employees understand how integral their roles are to the larger picture of the business they will automatically be able to find some meaning to their tasks. Regular, timely communication is key. Rapide enables you to talk to your employees through a variety of channels, from text and voice broadcasts to emails. 1/3 of the FTSE 500 already rely on us to do this.

As important as maintaining outgoing communications with your employees is, ensuring that you give them frequent opportunities to share their feedback with you is just as vital. This will allow you to collect regular, actionable insight that can be inputted back in to the business. Rapide’s Rant & Rave allows you to do this in real-time, so you can react to your employee comments in a timely and proactive way - ultimately creating a more positive and productive workforce.