I have been pondering & studying a lot lately on what makes us happy at work. One of the key elements that I have come to strongly believe is that “relationships” with our co-workers is a key ingredient to being happy at work.It is a known fact that man is a social animal and research has shown that depth and extent of relationships is a key factor in long-term happiness. What can we learn from this?
- For individuals (i.e., you & me):
- Find ways to connect more & better with your co-workers. Yeah I am not talking about connecting via a online social network (that’s a start) but in-person. Don’t just say hi in the hallway – start a conversation.
- If you are in a very large team – make it a point to get to know 1 new person each week.
- Strengthen your relationships with the people who you naturally get connected to. Make an attempt connect with them outside of work.
- For leaders & business owners:
- Remember that team building is not just a one time event that gets scheduled a few times a year. It’s about how connected the team is, how well they know each other that translates into a good team.
- Strive hard to create a culture and environment to nourish these relationships. It will pay off in the long run – both in employee satisfaction & productivity.
Do your good relationships at work make your happier? What are you thoughts?