Be your own Chief Happiness Officer

I have not been my best self lately, and I am not sure that I am exactly in my right role, but I realized last week that part of that is on me. This weekend I have spent a lot of time reflecting and determining what I need to do short-term and long-term to be the best me.

During this reflection I thought a lot about our "Happyologist" at my last organization. Michael is over Firm Culture and Associate Satisfaction at Impact Advisors. He did his best to ensure that we had a happy experience and a happiness-driven workplace. Onboarding, career planning, performance management, engagement, recognition, listening, and checking-in were all areas that he ensured had a happiness-oriented approach.

I decided this weekend that I needed to become my own CHO. I know that real happiness is steeped in ensuring that I am fulfilling my purpose and adhering to my values. From a work perspective for me it happens when people can work hard and enjoy each other’s company.

So here is what I am committing to do, and I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Purpose

We all want to feel that our work matters. I do not expect every day will be a thrilling challenge, but that is why it is important that leaders create transparency — sharing the connection between the strategy and the work. People need to understand how work fits into the bigger picture. Having that clarity gives you a sense of purpose, so even your most mundane days will feel like a meaningful part of achieving the greater plan. I will do my best to focus on the purpose and ensure that I share it with my team.

Learning and Mastering Skills

We all need to have the skills to succeed in our jobs — that is a given. But happiness comes from mastering those skills. That means honing what you know and continually learning. It also means doing what you can to teach others. It does not have to be a formal thing. But a team that keeps learning is more likely to be a happy one. I love to learn and do a lot of it on my own and my team has many opportunities, but I do not think we are given the opportunity to master those skills. I will try to create more opportunities to apply what me or my team is learning and promote opportunities for my team to share what they have learned.

Growth

We all want to keep growing. No one is happy with being stagnant. That means being challenged to do your best. Many times, we continue to do the same sort of work because that has become our "lane”, and everyone throws it our way. It may no longer challenge us. Demand and time prevent us from giving other’s new opportunities. I will encourage my team to ask and see if I can do a better job shaking it up a bit, so they are able to try new skills and make new roads for themselves. If I cannot find those opportunities at work, then I will seek out my own challenges. I may volunteer for a new project, look at where I can mentor others, etc.

Respect

We all deserve to feel valued and trusted. It is fundamental to delivering great work and being happy doing it. Respect is not just for some. Every day — in every action you take — you will add to (or deplete) an individuals or your team’s supply of respect. Respect is also not about being polite. You add to it by trying to always listen, respond quickly, ask thoughtful questions, give honest feedback, and share your gratitude. I will work to ensure that everyone I encounter feels respected.

Ensure that everyone has a voice!

We all have the innate need to be heard. I have been extremely fortunate to have encountered many amazing coworkers, friends, and mentors that are good listeners. I have learned so much from them and how listening, even if the answer or feedback from the conversation is not what I wanted to hear, was okay because I was heard. Knowing that someone is listening to you is invaluable. I have been working on this skill for a long time, and I still have a long way to go, but I am committed to ensuring that those I encounter feel heard.

Passion

We all want to feel passionate about what we do. Passion is fuel for happy work. It gives us joy when we have a win and gets us through disappointments. Some of us are passionate about our work. While other folks’ passions may lie elsewhere. I will continue to pursue my passions and not lose my drive to make a difference in healthcare technology; because I want to add value to the lives of those I encounter.

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." -Charles Spurgeon

Great things happen any place where people are encouraged and supported. That is the foundation for sustainable happiness, and we can all contribute to building sustainable happiness at work. There is no formal title required. I would encourage you to be a part of adding to that foundation. It is not easy, and you will be challenged on the way. But if we do our best to create joy and top it off with a sense of humor and kindness, we might find that we are happier for it too!

Until next time... – Leigh