The Numbers Behind Career Fulfilment

It’s all in the stats.

The old saying “numbers don’t lie” can also help us understand the role enjoying your job will play. Ironically enough, the benefit of being happy at work does not only benefit the individual, but also the company they work for.

The responsibility sways to both the individual and companies to discover what contributes to individual success, as this will undeniably contribute to the company achieving its goals.

In the book Maximize Performance by Quint Studer and Janet Pilcher, they have identified purpose, worthwhile work and making a difference as the cornerstone needs of individuals to feel satisfied in their work. When these needs are met, and employees are happy not only are they 12% more productive, but these individuals take 10x fewer sick days than unhappy employees.

Their research also identified 36% of employees will give up $5000 a year in salary to be happier at work. That is a significant amount of individuals that will rather earn less, but receive more fulfilment and joy from their job. These numbers will only increase as people are becoming more self-aware and realising the need to live a more balanced life.

The benefit is not only to individuals but a happy workforce will benefit the company in more ways than less sick leave and productive employees. Companies with happy employees outperform their competitors by 20%. This was shown in Fortune 100 best companies to work for enjoyed a raise in stock of 14% per year from 1998 -2005 compared to 6% for the overall market. One contributing factor could be that happy salesperson produce 37% greater sales.

From the above it is safe to assume when we enjoy what we do, we perform better, and our levels of motivation are higher. We experience work as a complementing factor to our life, which in turn will lead to a successful career.

• If you think of the factors listed, how relevant do you find them to your own career/life?
• Maybe you have seen the above play out in individuals reporting to you?
• What factors have directly impacted your happiness at work?
• What factors do you think will influence the next generation entering the workplace?

Share your thoughts in the comments section.