Finding Joy in the Job

Most people don't particularly get joy or tremendous satisfaction out of their work. After all, there's a reason why it's called a job. If you are one of those who enjoys your work, consider yourself fortunate.

Most people work because they have to, not because they want to. They work to provide for their families or to live a certain lifestyle. Some even stay in bad jobs just for the health benefits. While it is true that the advances in mobile technology and cloud-based computing have given employees more flexibility and more options, they haven’t necessarily changed employees' job functions or the attitude of the people around them.

For the most part, unless the shingle over the front door their name on it, most people are working more out of necessity than passion. But that doesn’t mean the workplace can’t be an enjoyable, positive environment that fosters teamwork and respect,

There is satisfaction that comes with hard work and a job well-done. There is satisfaction that comes with recognition and problem-solving. And there is satisfaction that comes with team-building and working with others to create solutions and help customers.

So, then, knowing that most of your employees are there not because they love you so much but because they have bills to pay, how do you make their work experience more rewarding? Studies show that the more satisfaction people person get out their work, the more productive they will be.

Satisfaction is directly tied to attitude and experience. The work environment you set must be safe and it needs to be professional. No one should ever feel threatened or harassed. All employees should be treated as professionals. Gossip, rumors, derogatory emails and talking down to anyone is unacceptable in today’s workplace. Your employees also are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters with lives outside of the workplace, and no one has the right to take away their dignity.

All employees should be treated with professionalism by their managers and their peers. Allowing rogue employees to mistreat others because they are the top sales reps or have valuable contacts is not only morally wrong, it’s unprofessional. At some point, this will permeate to the client level.

Companies want to do business with like-minded and ethical companies. If they see your employees mistreated or witness a hostile work environment, they eventually will find another business partner.

As a business owner or manager, it is essential you create an environment where everyone is treated with respect. It is your job to be calm and be fair in sometimes-hectic situations. It sometimes means having difficult conversations with people who are out of line. Ignoring complaints or sweeping problems under the rug will only manifest some other time. Too many good people leave good jobs because managers refuse to act to curtail bad behavior.

In business, sometimes situations get heated. Whenever money is at stake, you can bet backstabbing, finger-pointing and tensions will run high. However, as a business owner you should never put bad behavior above integrity. The sale is never more important than someone’s dignity; it’s a losing proposition in the long run. In today’s social media world, word gets around fast and a company’s reputation can be severely damaged when its employees are mistreated.

Work is a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. The environment you create represents your values. Create a positive workplace and you will attract and retain positive and productive employees.