What makes people love their jobs?
It is not always the frills that make people love their jobs. In a recent article in St. Louis Magazine, Saint Louis University Assistant Professor of Psychology, Mindy Shoss, highlights what her research reveals about employee happiness.
- The job itself. People value different facets of work. Some prefer bringing order, others want to offer insight, make money, serve, collaborate, or create. Despite your interests, everyone wants to make a difference in the job itself.
- Support to do the job. Employees that love their jobs are given the time, information, and support that they need.
- A boss who listens, knows what you need, and motivates you. It can be difficult to work with a boss whose working style and goals differ from yours. However, understanding differences and clear communication can alleviate these hurdles.
- Colleagues who are not rude, hostile, or catty. When coworkers engage in negative attitudes and behaviors, more time is dealt with managing these individuals rather than getting the job done.
- Input and transparency. Employees value when their opinions are heard and their contributed are acknowledged. Employees also value fairness and openness within an organization.
- Few organizational constraints. Top-down bureaucracy, interruptions, and financial constraints, can hurt morale.
- The workplace culture. If a company culture makes employees feel valued, they will be more likely to love their jobs.