Happiness and performance go hand-in-hand in the workplace

There has been a tremendous amount of research conducted concerning the effects of happiness on the performance of individuals, and the potential impact it has on the success of an organization.

According to the article “Why Do Lay People Believe That Satisfaction and Performance are Correlated? Possible Sources of a Commonsense Theory,” (2003 Journal of Organizational Behavior), these two concepts are closely related. They are part and parcel of an effective performance-management system—one that connects to a culture that supports positive approaches to influencing people, which increases overall happiness.

Studies show that individuals who consider themselves happy, and effective performers share similar characteristics.  They:
•    Have a clear direction and find that direction motivating
•    Focus on what is important, understand their sphere of influence, and achieve agreed upon results
•    Talk and act in ways that promote performance and happiness for all
•    Are significantly engaged in their work, finding meaning and purpose in their work, and have more positive experiences than negative experiences
•    Are optimistic, look into the future, and are happy about their workplace.

As managers, it’s important to recognize that you can help drive your team’s happiness and engagement by developing and delivering a clear and motivating direction; by establishing an operational focus; and by efficiently providing the right resources so teams feel a sense of accomplishment in their work.  Paying attention to what matters to individuals within your workplace is essential to their overall happiness level.

Increasing happiness emerges when we find meaning and purpose in what we do and seek satisfaction from positive experiences rather than dwelling on negative interactions.  Balancing profound skills while developing a new competency enforces gratification and satisfaction, which is amplied when this work has profound meaning for others within the workplace or the organization as a whole.

On our own campus, Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has received international attention for her research and instruction on happiness.  She’s changed the lives of thousands of students through her class “Psychology and the Good Life,” one of the most popular courses in Yale’s history.  She now teaches a highly acclaimed Coursera program on this topic entitled “The Science of Well-Being.” This program engages learners in a series of challenges designed to increase individual happiness, and build out new habits of productivity, wellness, and change. The program is free and learners can now register for the self-paced, four-week program.

Reference Article:
https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/2010/08/putting-performance-and-happiness-together-in-the-workplace/