Creating Happier Workplaces

 Wouldn't it be nice if your workplace was both happy and productive? Without being - toxically happy. And yes, toxic positivity is a thing and it really is toxic. The idea that you need to be happy all the time, is performance, not happiness.

I was talking to some colleagues on a board meeting I participated in. And I talked about how happy participating in the group makes me. And the work I do for them, doesn't feel like work because it's so fun.  One of my colleagues remarked that where she is, if you appear to be having fun, they don't think you are working hard enough. I felt so bad for her.

Work should be fun and can be fun. People who cultivate a harried, put upon sense of self, that they are so busy they just can't, are hurting themselves and others. Happiness is hard to come by.

One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Louis Stevenson. He said, "There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy, we sow anonymous benefits upon the world, which remain unknown even to ourselves, or when they are disclosed, surprise nobody so much as the benefactor."

Think about the people you interact with throughout the day. If a barista is happy, it helps make you happy. You share in the joy, it helps you feel connected to another human, no matter how briefly. We should be encouraging happiness as a norm. Not as an oppressive performative norm, but just - it's ok to be happy. Being happy is precious.

Now to blow your mind. The way to create such a culture is, paradoxically, to allow for unhappiness. To share in people's struggles as well as their joys. No one is happy all the time. Life can be hard. This is why the sharing of happiness and the sharing of struggles is so important to creating a good work community. Making space for people to be fully messily human, allows people to share their emotions (good or bad) and to experience the connections that help us feel safe. And that, helps create happiness.

If you want to learn more - my video program - Creating Happier Workplaces Using Humanism and Science is now available for free streaming at: https://vimeo.com/747308545

How to improve empathy in the workplace

Why is improving empathy in the workplace important? 

Most people want to work in caring workplaces where they feel accepted and as a valued member of the team.   Empathy – helps us connect to one another and is one way to help encourage that feeling of connectedness we all desire and that helps work teams collaborate more effectively.

How do you effectively improve empathy throughout your workplace? 

One way is to make space and time for people to bring their whole selves and share their joys and sorrows as a team. This takes an amazing amount of trust.  This is why it’s probably better to start by having conversations about dignity and compassion.  What does it mean to treat colleagues with dignity and compassion?  What does it mean to treat customers with dignity and compassion?  Once a dignity and compassion mindset has taken root – you will find that levels of empathy have naturally increased as you are making caring – a regular part of the workplace conversation and expectations.  Empathy should grow naturally once the conditions have been set for it.

What steps do you take to help employees improve empathy if it doesn't come naturally to them?

You don’t. Part of having empathy is understanding that everyone is wired differently. And that’s ok. It is wrong to try and make a fish climb a tree. If empathy doesn’t come naturally to someone – trying to force them to be empathetic – is rather cruel. All an employer can and should do – is create the conditions in which ethical and caring behavior can grow. Those that want that level of motivation in their lives – with take that on. Those who don’t want that or are not naturally inclined won’t. But an empathetic workplace makes equal space for everyone and doesn’t shame people for people for not being exactly like everyone else. Which is why – focusing on dignity and compassion – will get your further than an emphasis on compassion.

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I teach humanistic management and am the author of the new book – Applied Humanism: How to create more ethical and effective businesses.

You can check out my online courses or hire me to do a training for your staff here - https://humanistlearning.com/category/businesscourses/

And learn about my new book here: http://humanisthappiness.blogspot.com/2019/08/my-new-management-book.html

How to say "No" without ruining your reputation at work

A recurring question I get asked is how can I set boundaries. How can I say no in the workplace and not ruin my reputation or be seen as someone who isn't a team player.

My answer? As long as the 'no; is in the context of continuing to help solve the problem – it’s usually not a problem to say no.

I teach a course on how to handle cranky customer problems and a big part is to focus on problem solving.  Sometimes the best thing you can do to solve a problem is to say no.

Ex:  No – we can’t do it in that timeframe. Let’s discuss a more realistic time frame.

Or – No – My plate is already full – let’s discuss project priorities.

Or – No – that’s not ethical. Let’s discuss how to do this and stay within the law.

No is not necessarily – No. It may just be an introduction to problem solving. The proposed solution is not acceptable – so let’s discuss a way to get the problem solved that is acceptable to everyone.

When you approach setting boundaries in this way - you are often seen as someone who is professional and helpful, and honest. 

For more on how to handle cranky customer problems (including internal customers) take my online course: 

https://humanistlearning.com/crankycustomers/

Happiness in the Workplace

I teach humanistic management and problem solving as well as humanist life skills. Basically – philosophy paired with science.

The best way to find meaning in your life is to solve other people’s problems. When we are self-centered, meaning we are thinking about ourselves, our world becomes very narrow. If we instead focus on other people and how we might help them, our world expands and we feel connected in a way that is REALLY powerful.

 The good news about jobs is, they are all about problem solving. If there wasn’t a problem to be solved, there wouldn’t be a job. Focusing on the fact you are there to help people solve problems changes everything about how a person approaches their job, whatever it is.  Sweeping the floor – problem solved. Taking out the trash – problem solved.

Even if the people you work with and for are jerks, at least you are solving problems for customers that really need your help.  When the focus of your work is to help people solve their problems, getting up and getting motivated is easy. It’s not just work – it’s meaningful work.

To learn more about the Humanist approach, consider getting my book: Jen Hancock’s Handy Humanism Handbook.

Want to learn more about making good decisions, try my online course, Planning for Personal Success.