What is workplace well-being and why is it so important?

Today I share with you some reflections on this topic of the Café con Talento debate that we had the pleasure of sharing with Silvia Escribano, (expert in Corporate Well-being and Organizational Happiness, TOP HR Influencer Spain 2021 and awarded with the recognition of the World Happiness Awards, CEO & Co-founder HUMAN BLOOMING) and Javier Carril, (expert in motivation, mindfulness and coaching, managing partner of Execoach, professor of MBSR Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts and Brown University and author of “Reconnect with you”).

Be aware of the well-being at work

In recent years, it is very common to hear about the concept of Organizational Happiness. Many companies, aware of the challenge of attracting and retaining talent, want to avoid the problem that arises when that talent wants to disengage from the organization.

Happiness at work: well-being at work

Happiness at work arouses a lot of interest in people, organizations and researchers. Human beings want to be happy, considering that happiness holistically, (in our family, with friends, individually, in the community, etc.). We want to know what to do, how to achieve those positive emotional states and a sense of well-being as sustainable as possible in the organizations of which we are part.

Some thoughts:

Debate on occupational well-being

What is organizational well-being?

Silvia comments that it is different to talk about organizational happiness and well-being or happiness at work. He believes that organizational happiness is a “dance between the professional and the organization”, where both parties are active actors. As a worker to achieve happiness at work I have the responsibility to know what motivates me, makes me happy, my purpose. Organizational happiness It is that the organization, knowing what makes me happy, my talents and strengths, puts at my disposal the working conditions, processes, training, etc., so that I can put my talents at the disposal of the organization, where a win-win environment is generated, where my purpose and that of the organization come together in one. Javier comments that we have to be proactive as workers to create professional environments so that people feel full, that spaces are trustworthy, not competitive.

Happiness is a choice and a decision, Silvia Escribano.

What does a purposeful organization entail and how is purpose alignment achieved?

Silvia believes that it is achieved by having a clear mission and purpose of the organization, and also what are the behaviors of the professionals of the organization on a day-to-day basis. Those behaviors must be aligned with the purpose. When working on organizational well-being , the first thing you look at is what the culture of the organization is, how it works, what are the daily actions and examples of leaders, it is the first thing to examine.

Javier comments that the purpose is the sincere contribution that the organization wants to make to society. That is why the individual purpose is necessary for leaders to reflect on it and be clear about it. We are currently accustomed to high levels of technological, social, etc. well-being, therefore, we also seek this well-being at work, so that they are consistent with what we have outside. And in an increasingly digitalized, artificial and technological world, people become even more important. Silvia adds that putting people at the center of organizations and society is necessary for sustainability. This sustainability is not only achieved with economic results, but also through achieving well-being.

What corporate strategy to follow to achieve this?

The first thing is to question ourselves if from the direction or management we are really committed to this purpose of well-being and happiness, to advance in this direction. From there, each organization works differently. First validate the commitment of the management and then pass it on to concrete actions of the teams.

Javier adds that it is important to stop and analyze the leadership style of all the leaders of the organization. It is not useful to do specific measures, or activities, if there is not really a profound transformation of leadership and that is based on disciplines such as coaching, mindfulness, etc. It is important that it is a conscious leadership, that empowers people, that is horizontal, that empowers people to develop people, that believes in people and considers their purpose, etc. From there it is also important to keep in mind the four pillars of well-being: nutrition, rest, sport and mindfulness.

Mindfulness allows managers to transform their leadership style to make it more empathetic, aware, more human, Javier Carril.

Happiness is within us

Silvia believes that happiness is a high level of mental excellence, that is, happiness is not something that is “out there”, but is inside us and is the result of the quality of excellence of the mind. That is why mindfulness is important, to observe and understand how my mind works. Imagine how important it is as leaders to accompany and listen and understand the people in our teams. Ask how they are, what they feel, in difficult situations is not only to set objectives and measure results, but I need to stop to listen and understand people. That implies an “awakening of consciousness”, we have the responsibility to guide and accompany people.

Happiness is a high level of mental excellence, Silvia Escribano.

Allowing ourselves to be happy: well-being at work

We must not wait until the end of life to realize the importance of living a fuller life and allowing ourselves to be happy, daring to be happy, not being so subject and dependent on criticism. It is important to choose the life we want to live, and therefore, being happy is a decision, (choosing it despite obstacles and circumstances). 50% of our happiness is conditioned by genetics, 10% by circumstances and the remaining 40% depends on my attitude.

Happiness is beneficial for health, we have more defense, more likely to live longer and better, you feel better, you have more capacity and more energy to offer, we generate more positive emotions.