3 ways to be happier at work today - Aoife O'Brien

Where we hear about:

• Set clear expectations, but give people the freedom to get the work done the way they do best
• Make it really clear the role that each individual plays and the contribution and impact they have on wider organisational goals
• Give people specific feedback relating to their performance, and provide sufficient challenge so that the work is stimulating

85% of employees are disengaged at work, which can lead to high levels of turnover. Losing a member of staff can cost between 30-200% of that person’s salary to replace them.

Creating a happier working environment can solve this problem. One way to create a happier working environment is to ensure employees’ needs are being met. We all have three basic universal psychological needs: autonomy; relatedness; competence.

Autonomy means having a sense of choice and control over what you do and how you do it. Relatedness means getting along with others you work with, and relating what you do on a day to day basis to the bigger picture of what the organisation is trying to achieve.

Competence means feeling capable of doing your job well, as well as having sufficient challenge. The important thing is not only to ensure these needs are being met, but to make sure people don’t have too much or too little of any one of them.

For example, too little autonomy and you can feel like you’re being micromanaged, but too much and you can lack clear direction and be left floundering.

Find out more about Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn.

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