Thanks Moorey. Agree staff need to be fulfilled, but does that not come under "staff who has energy"? I don't think a staff member would have the energy to do their work to the best of their ability unless they were fulfilled by it.
No worries Ben. Possibly. However, I think a person may be energised, providing output to the best of their ability but still may not he fulfilled.
It could be a number of reasons why that might be. A healthy workplace and possibly an excellent manager/leader will strive to ensure their people are fulfilled.
I think that's part of it, but a sense of purpose is very individual.
The organisation can help by having a meaningful purpose and strategy etc, and also creating a work environment where there are opportunities to develop and learn.
But then I think the rest of it is up to the employee. They need to do some personal work to understand what fulfils them. Then they can take ownership of this and try to head towards it.
Uniting everyone towards a meaningful goal is aspirational, but not everyone will buy in.
Some companies are saving the planet and a certain group of people will feel fulfilled by this. But then, some people might not really care about the planet but just freakin love accounting - and if they're an accountant at that company, they can find a sense of purpose too.
It does make sense but still think the goal (even it’s if not meaningful) is what gives an employee purpose in their work. And if they aren’t motivated by the company’s goal, then they’ll never reach their full potential. Love thrashing this out!
Yeah true - I also think people can get a sense of purpose with things like interesting work opportunities (learning new skills, working on new projects), having autonomy (leading / owning certain pieces of work) and career progression.
None of these things may actually rely on the company having a motivational goal - but I do agree, the company goal is a key part of the puzzle.
I would add that a healthy workplace is one of shared values.
Team work is also important, the best work is collaborative work but some people can often be fixed on the own agendas.
Well-being comes from the top, if the organisation have set the standards for a healthy culture then the workers will be more likely to strive for the same.
Another key word is responsibility. Take responsibility for your health and well-being. Take responsibility for your actions and your mistakes and not only will you benefit but so will your environment.
I like responsibility and totally agree, but do think it's triggering for many people who think its work (and not themselves) that's causing all their issues?
That's a sign of emotional immaturity and I don't think there's a lot we can do about that. People need to be ready to look within themselves. A classic example is someone who hops from work place to work place and says things like the job didn't suit them or they didn't like or get on with their team and it's a bit like well, if you're having issues with every work place you go to, have you ever thought that perhaps you need to look at how you are contributing to the situation?
Hey Ben,
Fair crack at defining a heathy worker & a healthy workplace.
My only addition would be to a healthy workplace is one that strives to ensure their staff are fulfilled, personally and professionally.
Thanks Moorey. Agree staff need to be fulfilled, but does that not come under "staff who has energy"? I don't think a staff member would have the energy to do their work to the best of their ability unless they were fulfilled by it.
No worries Ben. Possibly. However, I think a person may be energised, providing output to the best of their ability but still may not he fulfilled.
It could be a number of reasons why that might be. A healthy workplace and possibly an excellent manager/leader will strive to ensure their people are fulfilled.
Can you give an example of someone fully energised at work but not fulfilled? Not sure it’s possible
Pretty good definitions I reckon.
Only thing I thought maybe worth calling out (though the definitions do allude to it) is a sense of purpose.
Thanks mate. Do you think purpose falls under "united by a meaningful goal"?
I think that's part of it, but a sense of purpose is very individual.
The organisation can help by having a meaningful purpose and strategy etc, and also creating a work environment where there are opportunities to develop and learn.
But then I think the rest of it is up to the employee. They need to do some personal work to understand what fulfils them. Then they can take ownership of this and try to head towards it.
Uniting everyone towards a meaningful goal is aspirational, but not everyone will buy in.
Some companies are saving the planet and a certain group of people will feel fulfilled by this. But then, some people might not really care about the planet but just freakin love accounting - and if they're an accountant at that company, they can find a sense of purpose too.
Weird example I know, but hope it makes sense!
It does make sense but still think the goal (even it’s if not meaningful) is what gives an employee purpose in their work. And if they aren’t motivated by the company’s goal, then they’ll never reach their full potential. Love thrashing this out!
Yeah true - I also think people can get a sense of purpose with things like interesting work opportunities (learning new skills, working on new projects), having autonomy (leading / owning certain pieces of work) and career progression.
None of these things may actually rely on the company having a motivational goal - but I do agree, the company goal is a key part of the puzzle.
I really like your definitions Ben.
I think the simpler the better :)
I would add that a healthy workplace is one of shared values.
Team work is also important, the best work is collaborative work but some people can often be fixed on the own agendas.
Well-being comes from the top, if the organisation have set the standards for a healthy culture then the workers will be more likely to strive for the same.
Another key word is responsibility. Take responsibility for your health and well-being. Take responsibility for your actions and your mistakes and not only will you benefit but so will your environment.
I like responsibility and totally agree, but do think it's triggering for many people who think its work (and not themselves) that's causing all their issues?
That's a sign of emotional immaturity and I don't think there's a lot we can do about that. People need to be ready to look within themselves. A classic example is someone who hops from work place to work place and says things like the job didn't suit them or they didn't like or get on with their team and it's a bit like well, if you're having issues with every work place you go to, have you ever thought that perhaps you need to look at how you are contributing to the situation?
Couldn’t agree more