Pursuing Happiness

Each of us have come to BGI for different and yet more or less the same reasons.  We want to succeed in life.  We want to live a life that has purpose and meaning.  We want to make a significant difference in our world — in our communities.

Our vision of what that might look like varies radically, but we are at business school to learn — to be trained to use tools that will help us on our journey through life . . . to be happy.

One of the tools that we talked about this week was the Max-Neff model in Marsha’s screencasts on Social Sustainability.  Manfred Max-Neff, winner of the Right Livelihood Award theorized that the following nine needs are universal to all people. He further believes that if one of them is not met, a form of social poverty exists.

Max-Neff’s Fundamental Human Needs

He also believes you can’t overcompensate on one to make up for a different one that is not being met.

The first question that comes to my mind is, “Is it reasonable to expect that an employer should provide or nurture each of these qualities or is this a personal responsibility that we must each own and actively cultivate?”

I believe an argument can be made to some degree that these needs fall under our personal responsibility in the decisions we make in how to manage our life including who we choose to work for.  A more realistic viewpoint however would be that the responsibility falls on both the employee and the employer.  Basic needs often tether workers to jobs they “can’t live without” and yet that are “killing them” because of the non-conducive work environment.  

The fact remains, as Marsha pointed out, there is definite incentive for employers to take this responsibility upon themselves and nurture these needs as they stand to benefit:

16% better overall work performance

125% less employee burnout

35% more commitment to the organization

46% more satisfaction with their jobs

In the article we read called Creating Sustainable Performance, the authors propose that the word “thriving” best defines employees that are happy in their work.

Thriving = vitality + learning

Or in other words, those that believe . . . What I do makes a difference.  + I have the potential for further growth. = Sustainable individuals with organizational performance.

The article outlines four ways that companies can help their employees thrive:

• Providing Decision-Making Discretion  
• Sharing Information 
•  Minimizing Incivility  
• Offering Performance Feedback 

Because of the fact that happy employees miss less work — which means less lost time for the company.  And report significantly fewer doctor visits — which means healthcare savings, it make financial sense for businesses to make a concerted effort to ensure their employees happiness.

But, what do you do if you are NOT the employer (in the position of fostering this culture) and your current employer is not so enlightened as to have created this environment for you?  What do you do if you are not happy in your work? . . . if you are not thriving?

Burnout is a real problem that is affecting Americans more than ever.  According to the American Psychological Association:

77% experience PYISICAL symptoms related to stress in a given month.

73% experience psychological symptoms related to stress in a given month.

This CNN article provides additional statistics, lists signs and symptoms to watch for as well as offers some helpful tips on stress management for busy people.  Suggestions include:

• Learn to say no.
• Reevaluate your goals.
•  Reduce your commitments at work and at home.
• Learn stress management skills.
• Get plenty of rest and eat a healthy diet.
• Finally, give yourself a break. 

In a world where 50 hour work weeks are becoming the norm and “instant gratification takes too much time,” author and Ted speaker Arthur Honore suggests that it’s time for Americans to slow down and “get in touch with your inner tortes.” In his recent book In Praise of Slow, Honore reminds readers not to miss out on life by speeding through it.

Another recent Ted talk suggests that one of the best ways to succeed in life and avoid burnout is by getting the sleep that we need.  Sleep deprivation has been tied to lower work performance and poor decision making not to mention fatigue and even depression.

So, how do we become happy?  The responsibility is shared but we must not neglect our own personal responsibility in achieving it.  And so in the spirit of slowing down to get the sleep I need to be happy . . . I bid you all good night!