Hi little baby bears! Today, I want to talk to you about something so important...JOY. I think now is a great time to revisit this topic because we are all coming off of a break. Hopefully that small break was a pleasant one for you. As we re-enter the after-school realm, it is crucial to remember that cultivating joy in the workplace can make for a much better experience for members, staff, and parents.
In May, I was lucky enough to attend the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America conference. One of the sessions was entitled Happy Employees Equal High Performance: Powered by Happy by Beth Thomas. The session highlighted joy...in general and at work. I want to share some awesome takeaway from the training and share with you what we have decided to implement at our Club!
The formula to become a GREAT place to work:
Passion + Alignment + Leadership = GREAT CULTURE
29% of employees are ACTIVELY engaged or passionate about what they do or move the organization forward.
54% are disengaged or checked out
17% are ACTIVELY disengaged-busy “acting out” their disengagement and undermining their engaged colleagues.
As it relates to engagement, what is most important to employees?
Work/Life balance is the #1 factor in engagement from 46% of survey respondents
Compensation is 57%
The work itself is 50%
Supervisor/Boss is 52%
Job Security is 70%
Disengagement
Disengaged associates cost U.S. economy more than $300 billion each year in lost productivity, higher turnover and diminished business success.
It costs more than just the company money. If you are one of these unhappy, disengaged associates, you may be the FIRST to go when times get tough.
50 % of a person’s happiness is based on their DNA, the other 50% is by choice.
Happiness at work = higher productivity and success for YOU and YOUR workplace.
It affects company morale, culture, and performance and retention- it is all tied to Employee engagement.
6 Things Wise Leaders do to Engage Employees & Lead Change
Stop unknowingly creating tension
Don’t expect them to behave like you, allow them to be themselves and embrace an entrepreneurial attitude that will stimulate engagement.
Detect the most positive capabilities in people
Focus on what they do right, rather than wrong
Empower to discover potential
Nothing more demotivating than micromanaging
Let go, step back, observe
Put them in the position of influence
See how they react and engage in their new role. Stimulating engagement is a two-way street.
Employees are most engaged when they feel a sense of responsibility towards their leaders and being an example to others.
Share your success to build their momentum
Sharing your success with your employees makes them feel that they are an important part of your accomplishments. It is a sign of trust that organically creates engagement.
Be consistent and have their backs-Trust is Huge.
This is the top reason people leave leaders.
Loyalty comes from looking out for their best interests.
Advice from Other Leaders
Lead by example! Would your employees say you are a positive influence/leader or a negative one?
Give employees something to reach for
Define success for your employees
Create and embody the company (values, vision, and mission)
Get involved with the company culture.
Use transparency to inspire, and communicate often.
Learn what motivates them-how they like to be recognized.
Hold them accountable.
Treat people with respect.
Leaders have a responsibility to promote a positive culture.
Control your emotions. You set the tone. Don’t be fake.
If you are a leader, LEAD. Lead by example.
How do you Achieve Happiness?
Working long hours does not define success being engaged, happy, passionate and feeling valued does.
You have to WANT it.
If achieving happiness is important, what are YOU doing to achieve it?
Are you focusing on it? Dedicating time to it?
1st step, define what happiness means to you. Ask your employees what happiness mean to them.
Create an “I Wish” List instead of a “To Do” List to balance life and work
Plan for something special
Schedule lunch with a friend
Be realistic
Check off your to do list and reward yourself with something from your I Wish list.
Weave some of your I Wish list into your to do list.
Take a daily 15 minute “me time” break
The Power of Gratitude
This stops the feeling of unhappiness
Focusing on good make good things come
Reduces envy and negative emotions
Doing good for others is the #1 thing that contributes to long sustainable happiness
Minimize Negative Thoughts
Over 70% of the things we worry about NEVER happen
Master your stories-deal with facts not fiction
Stop your negative thoughts in their tracks
It is never too late to create new habits
Make a High-Yield Happiness Investment
Help others be successful
Reward and recognize
Pay it forward
Random acts of kindness-make it a habit
Schedule Happiness
Really, schedule it!
Focus on it, work at it, dedicate time to it.
Make a commitment to a weekly “me” event.
Hang with the Gang that Gets It
Your peers can drag your down or lift you up
Create a personal board of directors
How are you perceived by others?
Law of attraction-positive people attract positive experiences
The Boss
80% of people leave their boss, not their workplace.
How to love your job even though you hate your boss:
Look in the mirror and do a self-check
Steal shamelessly-find out who has worked well with this person and model those behaviors.
Building good working relationships with peers minimizes negative exposure to the boss.
If you cannot wait your boss out, leave.
What is Next for You?
Your call to action, write down your plan:
What can YOU do to become more engaged?
What can YOU do to help or motivate others?
What can YOU do to change your culture?
What can YOU do to lead by example?
What can YOU do to make yourself happier?
What can YOU do?
Create a Culture of Happiness!
Designate a Happy Employee of the Month
Ask your employees how they like to be recognized
Ask your employees what makes them happy
Hand out a worksheet like this! Or ask questions like this:
How do you most enjoy being recognized?
What are three things that bring you joy?
What contributes to dulling your shine?
Who would you say is the happiest staff at your Club?
What makes this staff happy according to your perspective?
Who would you say is the happiest member at you Club?
What makes this member happy according to your perspective?
We also decided to recognize a happy staff and member of the month in addition to our Youth of the Month and Staff of the Month programs! Click here for a sample certificate!
One of the greatest things about this is that you are also able to identify "unhappy" members and can begin meaningful, important conversations with them! By implementing a Happy Member of the Month award, you are able to embrace positivity and remind members that it is important to be happy...not everyday, but most. And if a member isn't happy, you get to put on your warrior face and help make the world a better place for that kid!