Gallup's State of the Global Workplace

7 out of 10 people are struggling, after the pandemic according to Gallup’s ‘State of the Global Workplace report released this year. In Australia we have done better, 57% are thriving, however 45% of workers experience daily stress and 31% experience daily worry.

Beside the impact on people’s individual lives, there has been a big impact on business productivity, performance and profits. Gallup states:

‘When people are in a state of struggle it destroys the human spirit that drives innovation, economic energy and contributes to declining economic dynamism and when people are ‘thriving’ they feel better and the business performs better’

This article represents a review of Gallup’s key findings from their recent book ‘Wellbeing at Work’?by the Jim Clifton and Jim Harter, defining:

·??????What is ‘Net thriving’?

·??????The five pillars of net thriving

·??????How can you as a leader achieve it for your organisation?

·??????The risks of net thriving after the pandemic.

Net Thriving?

Gallup’s goal is to discover and quantify the difference between the best possible life and the worst life. They define the best possible life as ‘net thriving’. Gallup believes that ‘GNT’ is the other ‘GDP’ for economic and organisational success.

It is evaluates this through two very simple questions:

·??????On a scale of 1 to 10, where ten is the best possible outcome, where do you feel your life stands now?

·??????On a scale of 1 to 10, where ten is the best possible outcome, where do you think your life stands five years from now?

What is Thriving?

Thriving is defined as:

Positive views of 7 or above for present life situation and have positive views for the next five years. They report significantly fewer health problems, less worry, stress, sadness, depression. They report more hope, energy and interest and respect.

(Conversely, people who are struggling report uncertain or negative views about their present and future situation and report more daily stress and worry.)

‘It is both the individual and organisations best interest for people to thrive – in all aspects of their life’

The five pillars of wellbeing

Gallup’s research has revealed from hundreds of variable, there are five states of wellbeing:

·??????Career – what you do for work and how you contribute.

·??????Social wellbeing – meaningful relationships in your life

·??????Financial wellbeing - money and how you manage it?

·??????Physical wellbeing – energy, health to do things

·??????Community wellbeing – like where you live and being part of something bigger?

Whilst most people report wanting to be healthy and wealthy, interestingly, it is career wellbeing that is the most important.

Engaged at work

Engaged workers are the holly-grail of business. They are more productive, happier and more resilient.

Gallup has concluded that only 20% of workers are engaged at work globally. In Australia it is also 20% engagement.

Engaged workers report higher levels of happiness and interest in the moment and lower levels of stress and sadness compared with less engaged workers.

Key influences of net thriving

When a manager is thriving, their direct reports are 15% more likely to have thriving wellbeing themselves, yet most mangers report high levels of stress and burnout.?

Employees are much more productive at work and deliver better results when they have a best friend at work. Contrary to old-school beliefs, a bit of chit-chat and gossip actually facilitates better relationships and better productivity.

Conversely, Social isolation and loneliness have a devastating effect on mental health and therefore productivity, as people have experienced significantly during the pandemic.?

‘People who have three to four very close relationships are healthier and?happier and more engaged ay work’

People need to feel connected and build trust with their working colleagues for a thriving workplace.

People want to be part of something bigger than themselves. We also feel good about ourselves when we help others. Well-doing inoculates you against stress and negative emotions. Gallup reported 9 out of 10 people reported an emotional boast from giving back and volunteering.

Physical Wellbeing

The core of physical wellbeing is how much energy you have to the things you want (and the things you need to do). It is achieved by managing sleep, exercise and diet.

Sleep is critical for learning, memory and problem solving but 35% of people struggle to get more than 7 hours per night. The 2016 RAND study in the UK showed workers who sleep less than 6 hours lose the equivalent of 6 working days per year compared to those who get sufficient sleep.

Exercise is vital for mood, immunity and learning. Gallup conclude those who exercise two days per week are significantly happier and less stressed.?

‘Employee wellbeing can be improved by encouraging people to get up and more around so they are not sitting for the entire day.

How to build a culture of net thriving?

It all starts with leaders.?

When leaders are thriving it spreads to the rest of the organisation.

Next leaders must build the wellbeing of each employee:

·??????A wellbeing initiative should align with the five pillars of wellbeing?

·??????It should come from the top down

·??????Wellbeing should be part of performance management

·??????Provide access to experts and resources for the best advice

·??????Audit practises and policies?

The four risks to net thriving?

The health and economic crisis brought on by the pandemic showed the importance of wellbeing and a culture that serves people and society. Part of developing a thriving business is to avoid the four risks to it, which are:

·??????The mental wellbeing of employees

·??????Lack of clarity and purpose

·??????Overreliance on policies

·??????Poorly skilled managers

Gallup concludes poorly skilled managers are the greatest risk. Managers are the single most important factor for engagement and performance of the workplace. Employees want a coach not a boss. Inspiring conversations builds engagement and trust between employees and managers.

Thriving in a crisis

What people need in a crisis is hope – that there is a clear plan of action and people need to know how they fit into to that plan. They need stability -in a world disrupted routine, return to focusing on the basics. People need trust, that they will be informed and kept up to date with timely information and finally they need compassion. They need to know the organisation cares for their overall wellbeing.

Thriving starts with engagement

Over 20 years Gallup has interviewed millions of employees in over 200 countries and 5000 organisations and concluded employee engagement is essential for net thriving – and resilience.?

Engaged workplaces with high wellbeing have these key elements:

·??????Culture was initiated top down by the CEO?

·??????Managers were transformed from boss to coach

·??????Highly effective companywide communication

·??????Managers are held accountable for engagement and performance

The top 10% quartile businesses reported:

·??????Lower absenteeism

·??????Higher customer engagement?

·??????23% greater profitability?

·??????66% higher rates of net thriving employees

Conclusion

So, the message is clear, wellbeing and engagement - along with good managers - are the bedrock of a successful businesses with thriving people at work.

It’s time to change how we work to focus on people not just profits. It’s time for people to shine and businesses to thrive and I am passionate about making that change in the world, through WORKBEING - the art of being, healthy, happy and productive at work - simple actions that make a massive difference to how people feel and perform.

'It's time for people to shine and businesses to thrive, through Workbeing' - Timo Topp

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