The Happy Factor: How Happy are you at work?

Recently, I posted survey results from Indeed on how OneDigital ranks in terms of happiness at work. I wasn't surprised that this resonated with many different professionals from diverse walks of life, and within a variety of industries.

What does it mean to be truly happy at work? I read a few different articles arguing it is the wrong approach to pursue happiness at work, leading to serious let-downs when picking apart your day-to-day responsibilities, potential, and boss. Maybe a better or more productive conversation to have is about job satisfaction. Many researchers out there, will say, it comes down to a company's values, your impact, your accomplishments, and people. The "what?" is not as important as the "who?" and the "why?"

When recruiting for OneDigital, (and maybe it's because I studied philosophy in school), I like to point out our mission. What is our answer to "why?" Since the year 2000, we have championed small business owners, and since then medium and large companies as well. We are experts in employee services, human resources, health benefits, retirement, property and casualty insurance and save our clients money that in turns helps them thrive and serve their customers better. We are on a mission to do good in this unpredictable world of ours. As you sit in your office, or on your phone, reading this poorly written rant, ask yourself, "What is my company's 'why'? What is my 'why?' - Why can't we do better?"

Now, let's take a deep dive, looking at the people; who are we serving, who are my colleagues, who is my boss? I have asked these questions in other places of work, and the answers have greatly impacted my decisions to be around like-minded people: people who are not satisfied with the status quo, people craving and thriving in a fast-pace environments, people who are life-long learners and relentless when developing their own capacities, as well as the business'. I don't think it is a lot to ask for, but maybe I am wrong.

Here at OneDigital, we are getting a few things right, maybe a lot of things right. I, absolutely, love the people I work with and my boss. Probably even more importantly, upper leadership is approachable, responsive, and have the pulse on the individual teams around the country. I have heard from new hires a similar observation: there seems to be a thread of kindness interwoven throughout our perspectives and approaches, creating a very kind and caring culture. Sure, some of us can have a bad day, but you will hear often, "we got your back" and knowing that is a genuine sentiment makes you instantly relax into your bad day, or rough moment. When it is my turn to step up and have someone else's back, you bet I am there, and will be there every day for my team.

I believe everyone deserves to find happiness or job satisfaction, or at the very least not be miserable or uncomfortable at work. When speaking to candidates with diverse backgrounds or perspectives, sometimes it is described as being uncomfortable at work. I hope you are happy. I hope you are inspired by your leader, and love your interactions at work. If you cannot say definitively "Yes!" then I challenge you to ask yourself how much more time are you willing to wait?

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Thank you for reading my very informal article about happiness. I had more to say after speaking with some professionals this week and last. I hope you can walk away with some reflection ideas, or at the very least some ways to articulate the particular ways you are happy at work. If you are not, maybe today is the day to make the change.