The Circle of (work) Life
Happiness can be hard to find, much more so in one's career. People switch jobs in search of career happiness, mostly in the pursuit of a higher wage, with a believe that it is what will increase contentment.
"How can I be sure I find happiness in my career?" - Although most believe money is the most powerful motivator to a joyous career life, it is most likely not. The need for higher wages come with the inherent drive in most of us to better ourselves in the eyes of our peers, to be able to climb the social ladder, to prove that "we've made it". Yet for most of us that is still not enough to find fulfilment. Growth on the other hand can make a serious dent in employment dejection. Growth in responsibilities, growth through opportunities to learn, growth through our contribution to others and growth through recognition of achievements.
Yet this is not something that is achieved alone. All employees work in an ecosystem, and it is this ecosystem that need to provide the right environment that nurtures growth. A lot of us wake up in the morning with a relatively strong self-esteem, with the desire to own the day. Fast-forward ten hours later and most will return home feeling underrated, undervalued, unnoticed and mostly exasperated. Dented self-esteems make not only for unhappy work-lives, but also glum personal lives.
Management is perhaps the most noble of professions if it is practised well...
What happens when we feel noticed? What happens when achievements are praised? When we go back home feeling that we've learnt something new? When we feel part of something bigger than and our role within the organisation holds significance? Two words - Employee empowerment.
Very few occupations allow such a huge level of impact on people as a manager's role. Very few professions offer the chance to help others grow in a myriad of ways; to empower through delegating responsibility; to reward big achievements but also to recognise the small wins; and to drive success not just individually but as a collective.
Management is many-a-time misunderstood as a function. P&L statements, bottom-lines, growth graphs, profitability, targets, budgets and brand success, all form part of good management - yet they are not management. They are a bi-product of good management.
Management is about giving the people the chance to grow every day. Management is understanding what makes the employees tick, what help they need to become better people, what the team needs to bond together.
Help people become better people. They will in turn do better work. They will also live better lives. It is the circle of work-life.
Care Technical Customer Advocate
6 年Management is understanding the skill/capability/possible growth approach of an employee and providing him/her equal opportunities to show his credibility and aspiration. He/she should be appreciated for his/her smallest steps that? helps in organization/team achievement and makes him/her better day by day as an individual/professional.
Service Delivery, VoLTE,5G, People Manger, Leadership, IoT , Global Services at Nokia
6 年Really liked the way you have explain "?"How can I be sure I find happiness in my career?"? ... it's bitter truth which no likes to admit it .. that we are madly running behind money .. but satisfaction is somewhere else ..?
Fintech, PCI, Cards, Payments Consultant
6 年A little empathy goes a long way too, inclusivity, recognition and the removing the need to place each employee in their own little box. Allow an employee to try new things, you may be surprised at which areas they shine in!
Deputy Head of Technology at Malta Financial Services Authority
6 年Really liked your article Reuben.
Creative Content that shapes and delivers outstanding Customer Experiences
6 年Great article my friend. Matthew Psaila check it out.