Blog Archives
Zip Your Lips?
Wouldn’t we all love to work at a place where we could be ourselves? Where we felt free to speak our minds? Where our unique strengths, experiences, and insights would be a valuable asset?
Well, for most of us it’s not gonna happen, at least not anytime in the near future.
Although self-expression has been shown to decrease turnover and increase productivity and job satisfaction, building an environment where workers can be authentic isn’t on the corporate radar screen just yet. There’s still a mold and workers are expected to wiggle their way into it, no matter how awkward the fit.
Here’s the good news- it doesn’t really matter.
A joint study between the University of Houston and the University of Greenwich found that the freedom to express thoughts and feelings at work had no impact on the participant’s overall sense of well-being. While being authentic around loved ones has a significant positive benefit, zippering the lips at work has no impact, positive or negative.
So here’s another reminder to focus on the things and people dearest to you and let the rest go. Just think how much more time you’ll have to develop your “unique style and spirit”, as Fee encourages. Or, as our friend Mary Jackson Lee suggests, “Do the one thing that you are sure you cannot.” And maybe in between, put together a fabulous outfit or two!
Love,
Becky
Are you authentic at work? How do you balance honoring your beliefs with fitting into the corporate mold?
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
Vanessa Wong, It Doesn’t Pay to Be Yourself at Work.
huffingtonpost.com, Workplace Authenticity: Hiding Who You Are At Work Linked With Lower Job Satisfaction.
Murray Wardrop, Being yourself at work is not good for your career, study claims.
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction…
Do you find yourself unhappy with your current career choice or work setting? Before you jump ship, experts suggest considering the following changes as they can increase job satisfaction dramatically:
- If you can’t do it, don’t commit. Failing to keep commitments is one of the most common causes of stress at work. Sadly, covering up for failed commitments and worrying about the consequences usually consumes more time than it would to take to actually complete the promised task. So, know your limits and ask for help if you’re being stretched too thin.
- Live close to where you work. People who walk to their jobs or have a short commute tend to be more satisfied than those who spend an hour or more getting to work each day. Studies show that in order to be satisfied, workers with long commutes would need a 40% increase in their monthly wage to be as satisfied as their walking counterparts.
- Vacations are key. According to a Danish study, the most satisfied workers take an average of six weeks of vacation annually. Most American workers get less than 14 days of a vacation a year, so it’s important to make the most of that precious free time!
What have you done to make your current job more satisfying? Please share by commenting below!
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
http://www.bluezones.com, Six Thrive Centers.
Susan M. Heathfield, Top Ten Ways to be Happy at Work.
