Three tips for more happiness at work

Employee engagement is lower than it has been for years. Employees need to look for ways to take control of their own happiness in their careers and day-to-day work. The experts at Hogan Assessments, a leading provider of personality assessments for companies and leadership consulting services, have identified three ways to improve job satisfaction and engagement.

Tip 1: A new job is not always the solution

If you are unhappy with your current job, you may think that changing jobs is the easiest way to a more fulfilling working life. However, this is not always the case. Instead, you may find yourself stuck in the same situation, just in a different company - at least if you don't first get to the bottom of why you're unhappy in your current position.

Often you are not looking for a new job, but for a new attitude. If you start a new job but follow the same pattern, the work-life balance you have longed for may remain out of reach. So before you take the plunge and change jobs, you should first consider your own priorities within the company. "Ask yourself important questions, e.g. what makes me unhappy? Is it my area of work or my workload? Is it a lack of flexibility? Am I under pressure to perform or can I not say "no" for fear of not being considered a 'team player'? Once you have listed what makes you unhappy, you can then consider whether something can be changed in your current role. Only if this is not possible with your current employer should you look for a new job. But if the problems can be solved, work with management to see how you can change your situation," advises Dr. Ryne Sherman, Chief Science Officer of Hogan Assessments and co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast.

Tip 2: The importance of interpersonal relationships

According to the World Happiness Report, building strong personal relationships is central to a happier life - and the same is true in the workplace. The support of our social environment is crucial to our development as human beings and building strong relationships within the team and with colleagues can play a big part in how happy you are at work.

Current data supports these findings. According to the study, having a best friend at work is crucial for job satisfaction and personal well-being. According to this study, working with a friend in the office is more enjoyable, provides emotional support and improves work performance through better communication and collaboration. "The more connected employees feel, the more engaged they are in their work. Cultivating relationships can also have a positive impact on the quality of work. The more comfortable you feel asking for help or collaborating with colleagues, the stronger your team's performance will be," explains Dr. Ryne Sherman. Employees need social support, but they must also have responsibility and be able to identify with the corporate culture. A strong social environment in the workplace keeps even the most remote team member engaged and motivated to perform exceptionally, regardless of the challenges.

Tip 3: Avoid unnecessary stress

Stress is one of the main causes of burnout and can affect employees' motivation and commitment. They are dissatisfied and feel overwhelmed. While stress in the workplace cannot be completely avoided, there are steps you can take to banish unnecessary stress from your everyday life as far as possible. It can help to better understand your personality - and therefore the values that guide your behavior and decisions. "If you're aware of your values, you can target your engagement and success. Hogan is in a unique position to help employees assess their personality traits and work habits. This allows them to identify and eliminate habits that add unnecessary stress to the workday and uncover patterns or behaviors that cause stress," says Dr. Ryne Sherman. When employees are aware of their personal values, they can better understand why they act, react or interact in a certain way. They can also identify what kind of environment, work or organization they need to thrive and succeed. Those who identify the connection between work habits and personality traits can change their work processes and habits more effectively - reducing daily stress and avoiding burnout for a happier and more engaged work life.

Source: www.hoganassessments.com