Make 2024 Your Year to Thrive

Summary Idea: Thriving in your career in the USA requires finding the right environment AND having the right skills.

Now that you have returned from days filled with family, friends, and never-ending panettone, it’s time to return to your work life in the USA. As you start the new year, it’s important to pause and reflect on your professional journey.

Do you feel like you’re growing, happy, and “thriving?”? If you have had thoughts of finding a position with a new company, you’re not alone.? Data by McKinsey showed that at least 40% of workers were considering leaving their jobs in 2022.

What is "Thriving?"

Thriving is more than just surviving.? Surviving is just getting by, meeting your basic needs, “keeping your head above water.” Likely that is what you hope to be doing, considering all you left behind in Italy.??

T.H. Chan from the Harvard School of Public Health,? explains that thriving at work? is “the state of positive mental, physical and social functioning in which workers’ experiences of their working conditions enable them to thrive in their overall lives, contributing to their ability to achieve their full potential in their work, home, and community.”??

But to be that energized and grow in your career, it takes 2 things to work.? You have to be in the right environment, AND you have to bring the right skills and attitude.??

Finding the Right Environment

If you feel like it is time to seek greener pastures1, you are going to need to know what an organization looks like that has employees who feel that they are thriving.

Consider what Klinghoffer and McCune wrote in their article, “Why Microsoft Measures Employee Thriving, not Engagement,” from The Harvard Business Review.

They found that employees who claimed they were “thriving” talked about experiencing:

• A collaborative environment and teamwork with colleagues
• An inclusive culture with autonomy and flexibility?
• A sense of well-being support??
• Being treated with dignity and respect and
• Managers support them in their careers?On the other hand, organizations where people did not feel like they were thriving talked about experiencing a feeling of being in siloes (insulated from others), bureaucracy, and a lack of collaboration, as well as a feeling of lack of agency. They felt a sense of powerlessness to make decisions, take action, or control their own destiny.

Bottom line:? People thrive in companies where employees feel they are cared for. They focus on making employees feel, heard and seen, and balance their human goals and human needs.??

Look for companies that:

1. ?Invest in the well-being of their workers.

Offering things like flexible work so that employees can lead balanced lives, and prioritizing time with family and friends while still making a big impact on work. Milestones are celebrated, both professional and personal.

1. ?Embrace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Employees in these organizations feel free to be their full selves.? They experience a sense of inclusion and are treated equally.

1. ?Create Community Engagement

The idea of giving back to your community satisfies one of our higher needs, and it goes beyond just doing our jobs.? Companies that help their employees give back to their communities report having employees that feel fulfilled.

Do Your Research

If you want to find an organization where you can thrive, you will need to do some research.? You’ll need to look into their values, mission, and culture to see if they align with your values.? Check their website, social media profiles, and any available employee reviews.??

It’s important to speak with someone who works there.? Ask them if employees there tend to collaborate, communicate, and engage with each other, or whether they feel like bureaucratic cogs working in isolation.??

To make things easier for you I’ve created a checklist that you can use when you are considering a new job here in the States.? If you'd like a copy, you can access it by clicking here .

II.? Bringing the Right Skills and Attitude to Your Environment

But it’s not only the company’s responsibility to help you thrive. To thrive in your position in the United States, you need to bring some skills with you such as:??

1. Cross-Cultural Communication: Mastering English is crucial, and understanding cultural nuances is equally important. Effective communication bridges gaps and fosters strong professional relationships.

1. ?Adaptability: The U.S. work environment is dynamic and diverse. Embrace change, stay open-minded, and be ready to pivot when needed. Flexibility is a key asset.
2. Networking: Build a robust professional network. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field.
3. Tech Savvy: Stay updated on technological advancements relevant to your industry. Tech proficiency is highly valued and can give you a competitive edge.
4. Leadership Skills: If you aspire to become a leader, cultivate leadership qualities. Initiative, decision-making, and the ability to inspire others are traits that can set you apart in your career.
5. Global Perspective: Leverage your international background as a strength. Bring a global perspective to your work, showcasing the value of diversity and a broad worldview.
6. Continuous Learning: The learning never stops just because you got the job. Stay curious, invest in ongoing education, and be proactive in acquiring new skills. This mindset demonstrates a commitment to growth.
7. Emotional Intelligence: Understand and navigate emotions, both yours and others. Emotional intelligence fosters effective teamwork and leadership. Having that cross-cultural awareness will help you better understand the emotions of others.
8. Problem-Solving: Develop strong problem-solving skills. Employers value individuals who can tackle challenges creatively and find solutions.
9. Cultural Integration: Embrace the American culture while cherishing your Italian roots. Finding the right balance between assimilation and cultural identity is key.

Thriving at work will help you in your life overall, as your positive sense of self can affect your personal life, both at home and in your community.

You have sacrificed a lot to be here, now let’s make the most of your career and life in the USA, and choose the right environment for you. Find somewhere that makes you feel excited for Monday mornings, rather than experiencing dread on Sunday nights.

1 To seek greener pastures: When you leave a job, home or situation for something you will think is much better

I want to help you thrive in your career here. Knowing the most effective way to use your English with Americans, while understanding the American culture can give you greater job satisfaction and advance your career. ? If you’d like to learn more, send me a DM or email at [email protected] and we can chat about where you are now in your career goals, and where you would like to be.