Article by Art Gib
While one key to increasing productivity at work is certainly to be more organized–make to do lists, prioritize your tasks, stick to a system, etc.–you’ll find efficiency will naturally improve when you’re happy. So, as an employer, you want to find a way to improve your employees’ situation at work. Ask them what kinds of tasks they prefer to be assigned (and what kinds they don’t), help them find ways to incorporate things into their day that make them smile, and think of ways to boost overall morale. Why go to this extra effort? If you want a productive team, you need them to be happy.
Happy people have the right perspective and aren’t stressed out. When people are happy, problems seem less intimidating. They find ways to resolve or work around them without complaining. Unhappy people, on the other hand, feel like everything is a crisis. They make short-term, survival-based decisions instead of looking at the bigger picture. Happy people do the opposite. They find solutions, prioritize their work to accomplish goals, and make thoughtful, informed decisions. In addition, happy people are not as worried about making mistakes, and so they don’t generally make them. If you’re not stressed, you’re willing to admit you messed up and then correct the problem. Consequently, mistakes happen less frequently. Another perk: less job strain translates into fewer sick days. People who are happy and relaxed are not as likely to get burned out and sick.
Happy people are motivated, optimistic, and energetic. As a result, they get along with co-workers and clients much better than unhappy ones. This equals better interpersonal communication, more satisfied customers, increased sales, and so on. Without motivation or optimism, productivity is low. If people are confident in their abilities and eager to tackle projects–because they enjoy them–they’ll be efficient, productive, and successful. It’s as simple as that.
Happy people are adaptable. They’re open to new things and more willing to learn, which increases their productivity when additional training is introduced or changes are implemented. Studies link happiness with creativity, and creative people are especially important in jobs that center on designing, advertising, or problem-solving. In short, happy people respond well to change–whether it’s in the work environment as a whole or in a specific project.
All of these on their own are obvious reasons for you to want your employees to be happy with their jobs. Fortunately for you, happy people are productive people, and productive people are happy people. So if you can get the cycle started, you’ll have both a happy and productive group of workers.
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