Of course it is about meaning

Of course it is about meaning

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Of course it is about meaning

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To us, the findings from SEEK’s inaugural Workplace Happiness Index survey are no surprise – study after study has shown much the same findings about the factors that are most important to people feeling happy at work. Let’s have a look at them.  

According to SEEK’s Head of Customer Insights and Strategy, Aimee Hutton: “The aim of this inaugural Workplace Index is to spotlight the strongest opportunities to improve happiness at work for both employees and employers and, ultimately, drive a happier workforce in Australia”.

You might think that pay and promotional opportunities and flexible working would be among the key factors that people reported as the things that make for a happy life at work. Not according to this study which found that the top 5 factors ranked as the most important for happiness at work were:

  1. Purpose
  2. Their manager
  3. Day to day responsibilities
  4. Company culture
  5. Stress levels

Salary came in at a distant #9.

So why are we not surprised?

Because we have known it for years, for example:

  1. In 2009, “Engage for success”, the report on employee engagement commissioned by the UK Government and created by Robert Macleod and Nita Clarke was published. We use their 4 pillars of engagement in our Better Workplace Projects and the first of those pillars is “Strong strategic narrative”, the centrepiece of which is “Purpose”
  2. Again in 2009, the famous Simon Sinek published his celebrated work “Start with Why” which is all about purpose being at the heart of successful organisations.
  3. Then in 2011, Professor Martin Seligman’s masterpiece “Flourish” was published. It sets out the 5 pillars of wellbeing that are necessary for living a flourishing life – the PERMA model in which the “M” stands for “meaning”. It is on his work that the PERMAH workplace wellbeing survey that we use in our Better coaching process is based.

That’s why we aren’t surprised that “purpose” has come out as the #1 factor for happiness at work. There is a huge body of evidence that has been telling us that for years.

Looking at #2, the second pillar in the Engage for Success framework is “Engaging management” which is about providing people with clarity of role and expectations, equipping them to be successful and coaching them to be the best that they can be. That is, it is about THEIR MANAGER enabling and supporting their people to be successful in managing their DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES.

Additionally, Gallup has been telling us for decades that the first line manager is the most dominant causal factor in whether an employee decides to stay or to go. They also preach a coaching model where there are regular catchups between an employee and THEIR MANAGER and they feel trusted and supported in undertaking their DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES.

So there isn’t really anything new in these latest findings from SEEK, is there?

Our “EngageMentality Coaching” model has been specifically designed to help managers to become coaches and be a reason why people want to stay because they feel trusted, supported and appreciated.

Perks are nice but…….

Over the last couple of years, we have seen new positive duties being introduced to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based behaviour and to eliminate or control psychosocial hazards. That is because, in too many workplaces, people aren’t enjoying work – the SEEK study showed that nearly half of the people surveyed said they were not happy at work.

The COVID experience has had the effect of causing people to reevaluate their priorities in life and what they want to do in a work sense, who they want to do it with and where they want to do it.

The value of the SEEK news is that it brings us back to what really matters when it comes to how we help people to enjoy work and be productive so that business and employees flourish together.

That is what PosWork is about – we have the tools and programs to help your workplace to flourish by design.

If you would like to explore the ways that we might be able to help you to make yours a great workplace, please call us on 1300 108 488 or email info@poswork.com.au.

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

6 Ellesmere Ave, Croydon Victoria 3136

1300 108 488

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Do you have psychosocial strengths?

Do you have psychosocial strengths?

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Do you have psychosocial strengths?

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What a difference it makes if you look at challenges in life and business through the lens of positive psychology!  What would happen if you looked at psychosocial hazards that way?  

This morning, PosWork’s Lee-Anne Hunt and Peter Maguire presented at a Whitehorse Business Group breakfast where they spoke about the new positive duties to eliminate or control psychosocial hazards and to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based behaviours.

It was a highly interactive session with people engaging in groups to explore psychosocial hazards and how they can present in practice and discussing ways to deal with them.

Lee-Anne and Peter also spoke about psychosocial strengths – looking at the hazards in the context of the things you do well in each particular area of hazard and how you can leverage and build on those strengths to recognise what you do well and build on that in a positive way.

That totally changes the mindset and the conversations and the engagement and the outcomes…..and it is a lot more fun.

If you would like to explore how we can help you to deal with positive duties in a positive way for your people and organisation, please call us on 1300 108 488 or email info@poswork.com.au.

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

6 Ellesmere Ave, Croydon Victoria 3136

1300 108 488

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Gallup tells us how to engage employees in 2024

Gallup tells us how to engage employees in 2024

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Gallup tells us how to engage employees in 2024

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Gallup has released a “2024 Employee Engagement Strategy Checklist” in which it tells us that 44% of employees worldwide say they are stressed and proposes some things that organisations can do to get people more engaged and less stressed. 

Here is Gallup’s list:

  1. Check in on your managers because they are more likely to be feeling burned out and stressed and you need them to feel supported and capable of leading their people effectively.
  2. Prepare managers to have meaningful conversations with employees in which they recognise strengths and achievements, set and refine goals and priorities and support then in relationships and collaboration.
  3. Prioritise promoting vision and purpose, especially among remote workers for whom Gallup’s research says that only 28% feel connected to their organisation’s mission and purpose.
  4. Measure engagement to show employees that you care about their feedback and want to know how they are doing.
  5. Take action on survey results – nothing builds positive momentum for an engagement initiative more than asking for feedback, doing something about it and sharing and celebrating positive results.

They say that their research shows that 80% of employees who say they have received meaningful feedback in the past week are fully engaged, regardless of how many days they worked in the office.

When it comes to having meaningful conversations with employees, Gallup said that they should include:

  1. Recognition or appreciation of recent work
  2. Collaboration and relationships
  3. Current goals and priorities at work
  4. Employee strengths and the things that they do well

How long should these conversations be? If they are done regularly (ie weekly), they should take no longer than 15 to 30 minutes.

Our EngageMentality Model

This is a continuous coaching model which incorporates all of the features that Gallup recommends plus more.

We did our own research on the things that we believe impact on an employment experience and by extension employee engagement and wellbeing – these “coaching lenses” are:

  1. Roles  – the job that I do plus any of those other responsibilities that I might take on as a leader or an employee or safety representative or first aider, etc
  2. Relationships – I rely on certain people for certain things and others rely on me for certain things
  3. Values and behaviours – the behavioural attributes that we want to see practised in our organisation to make it respectful, inclusive and high performing
  4. Strengths – using the VIA Character Strengths framework to use a strengths-based approach which optimises opportunities for me to use my signature strengths and to work on and be supported with my lesser strengths
  5. Wellbeing – using the PERMAH workplace wellbeing survey, build on my psychological safety, life balance and overall wellbeing. 

We explore and address each of those items through a process of:

  1. Positioning – doing a stocktake of where I sit in each of those areas
  2. Planning – identifying the actions that I want to take for my performance and development, timelines for doing that and supports that I need and any people who are involved
  3. Performing – implementing my plan and catching up with my manager each week for a coaching session
  4. Presenting – providing me with the opportunity to showcase my achievements in performance and development and areas for further development 

The coaching conversations simply involve asking and answering these 4 questions in the context of each of the 5 coaching lenses:

  1. What has worked well (celebrate)?
  2. What has been a struggle (recalibrate)?
  3. What has changed (update)?
  4. What are we going to do about all of that (activate)?

If you would like to explore our EngageMentality process or any other of our PosWork programs for your workplace, please call us on 1300 108 488 or email info@poswork.com.au.

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

6 Ellesmere Ave, Croydon Victoria 3136

1300 108 488

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Pondering the Strength of Spirituality

Pondering the Strength of Spirituality

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Pondering the Strength of Spirituality

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Spirituality is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Transcendence.

Transcendence describes strengths that help you connect to the larger universe and provide meaning.

What is spirituality?

As a character strength, spirituality involves the belief that there is a dimension to life that is beyond human understanding. Some people don’t connect this belief with the concept of a divinity and prefer to think of it in terms of a sense of meaning rather than spirituality, but in the VIA Classification the terms are considered closely related. 

Spirituality is believed to describe both the private, intimate relationship between humans and the divine, and the range of virtues that result from the relationships. Spirituality is universal. 

Although the specific content of spiritual beliefs varies, all cultures have a concept of an ultimate, transcendent, sacred force.

Some of these include meaning, purpose, life calling, beliefs about the universe, the expression of virtue/goodness, and practices that connect with the transcendent. Some of these include meaning, purpose, life calling, beliefs about the universe, the expression of virtue/goodness, and practices that connect with the transcendent. 

Why is spirituality of value?

  • Spirituality, through the expression of religiousness or sense of meaning, provides a sense of being grounded, increases optimism and helps to provide a sense of purpose in life.
  • People who are spiritual often experience benefits in their physical and psychological health and are resilient in the face of challenges.
  • Spirituality is connected to compassion, altruism, volunteering and philanthropy.

A couple of questions to consider

  • How do you define spirituality for yourself?
  • How does spirituality affect your relationships with others?

Some things that you can do to practise spirituality

  • Think of a spiritual role model in your community. Even if there are important differences between their beliefs and yours, consider their best qualities and one way that you might learn from them.
  • Find meaning at work – consider what matters most in the work that you do and the impact it has upon others. Pause to appreciate this.
  • Pause to connect with your inner spirit. Return to this solitude that resides within throughout the day. Breathe deeply and be at peace with yourself. 

For more information on the strength of hope, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character…/spirituality

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

6 Ellesmere Ave, Croydon Victoria 3136

1300 108 488

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How work can be a haven from everyday worries

How work can be a haven from everyday worries

Blogs and Stories

How work can be a haven from everyday worries

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I recently watched a video on Linkedin which featured expert employment and WHS lawyer, Andrew Douglas, talking about psychological safety in the workplace. In that, he spoke about the role that work plays as a haven from everyday personal stresses and anxieties and that really resonated. So I thought I should explore that concept further and here are a few thoughts.

Would you agree that being able to focus your mind on a job and use your talents can really give you a bit of temporary relief if you have any worries personally, with family or elsewhere in life? I do – it won’t solve whatever problems you might be struggling with but it can help you to live a bit better with those struggles.

Of course, you need to have the right “psychologically safe” work environment to do that. Simply replacing one set of stresses and anxieties for another doesn’t help – that just adds further weight and continuity of anxieties and that aggregation can be especially damaging to mental health and wellbeing.

So let’s consider why the right work environment can help us to manage our everyday struggles in life.

Firstly, work can provide a sense of structure and purpose, helping to keep your mind focused and occupied. When you’re engrossed in meaningful tasks, it can redirect your attention away from anxious thoughts and uncertainties.

Additionally, work often involves goal-setting and problem-solving, which can give you a sense of achievement and control over your circumstances. By engaging in productive work, you may experience a boost in confidence and a feeling of accomplishment, counteracting the negative effects of anxiety.

Furthermore, work can offer a social environment where you interact with colleagues and form connections. These relationships can provide support and a sense of camaraderie, which can be comforting and contribute to overall well-being.

When you look at these factors, the PERMAH wellbeing model makes a lot of sense as a tool to develop good mental health and wellbeing practice. Every one of the 6 pillars – Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment and Health – feature in those three ways that the right work environment can provide a haven.

A bonus is that, with the new positive duty that businesses have to eliminate or control psychosocial hazards, the PERMAH Workplace Wellbeing Survey can play a significant part  in meeting the duty to assess risks associated with psychosocial hazards in your workplace…..plus every employee who does the survey gets their own personal wellbeing report and access to a personal wellbeing plan template and lots of tips on things to do to enhance wellbeing in each of the 6 PERMAH pillars.

Try the survey free at https://permahsurvey.com/

iInterested in learning more about PosWork’s workplace wellbeing and psychologically safe workplace services? Call us on 1300 108 488 or email info@poswork.com.au.

 

 

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

6 Ellesmere Ave, Croydon Victoria 3136

1300 108 488

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Why you need an EVP

Why you need an EVP

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Why you need an EVP

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We hear employers everywhere telling us that they need more and better people which is no surprise given that we have been having very low unemployment rates and there are chronic skills shortages in so many sectors for lots of reasons. 

So what can a business do about that to get an advantage over competitors in the labour market?

You need an Employer Value Proposition (EVP) which essentially answers the question (in a positive way): “Why would I want to work for you?”

Here are several reasons why having a compelling EVP is important:

  1. Attracting top talent: A strong EVP helps you stand out from other employers and attract highly skilled individuals. Job seekers are increasingly looking for more than just financial compensation. They seek opportunities for growth, life balance, a positive work environment, and a sense of purpose. By clearly articulating your value proposition, you can appeal to the aspirations and needs of potential candidates.
  2. Retention of employees: A well-defined EVP can help retain your existing employees. When employees feel valued and connected to and understand what they like about working in your business, they are more likely to stay.
  3. Employee engagement and productivity: When employees feel that their needs and aspirations are aligned with the organisation’s goals, they become more committed and motivated. They are more likely to go above and beyond in their work, leading to higher productivity and better outcomes.
  4. Cost savings: Investing in a strong EVP can result in cost savings in the long run. By attracting and retaining the right talent, you can reduce turnover, save on hiring expenses and training costs, and maintain a more stable and productive workforce.
  5. Cultural alignment: An EVP helps attract individuals who align with your organizational culture and values. When employees share common values, it fosters a sense of belonging and creates a positive work environment. This, in turn, enhances collaboration, teamwork, and overall organizational effectiveness.

So there are lots of reasons why having an EVP makes good business sense (just as having the right value proposition for your customers does).

Of course, it has to be real or it will just create contradictions which can be far more damaging than not having an EVP at all.

 

Want to know more about how we can help you define your EVP and make it real? Call us on 1300 108 488 or email info@poswork.com.au.

 

 

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

6 Ellesmere Ave, Croydon Victoria 3136

1300 108 488

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