Happy workers get more done (and teamwork is key), says Utah professor
Dec 13, 2022, 5:30 PM | Updated: 6:24 pm
Photo: Adobe Stock
SALT LAKE CITY — A happy worker is a more productive worker, but that happiness depends on teamwork, says a Utah professor.
“A happy team is likelier to be more energized, more creative and get more work done. Their infectious attitude can translate into better work and customer service that, in turn, inspires customer loyalty,” according to Forbes.
If You Want To Be More Productive At Work, Get Happy
A study published by Forbes revealed happy employees are as much as 20% more productive in the workplace than unhappy employees.
Utah State University professor Scott Hammond joins KSL NewsRadio’s Dave & Dujanovic with Dave Noriega and Debbie Dujanovic to talk about his new book, “The Management Minute: Small Steps to Big Learning” and why teamwork is so important in the workplace.
Happy workers are passionate
“So, let’s talk about being happy at work. How can we be better at that?” Debbie asked.
Hammond recommends increasing or intensifying your passion by learning.
“There are two ways to become passionate. Maybe you don’t like your job. You can be compassionate about something else and learn your way into loving your job,” Hammond said. “Learning is a real key component to that. If you’re always learning on your job or learning outside work and bringing that into your job, then that can help.”
Teamwork makes for happy workers
Also, Hammond said, passion can be fueled by teamwork.
“Teamwork brings a lot of joy to most of us. Having those affiliations that are really close and really powerful, you remember those, those times when you just clicked like a family at work,” he said.
Debbie asked how she could get the most out of her year-end review with her boss.
Drop end-of-the-year review of employees
“What do you think about these annual reviews?” she asked.
Hammond said if you are an employer, and you have only one review with your employees per year, you are doing it wrong.
“You have to meet every day or every week. Have a regular huddle or conversation, so that conversation at the end of the year — where they have to fill out the form for HR [Human Resources Department] — is not a big deal,” he said. “They know what you’re doing well. They already know what kind of support you need. . . . All of those things are not surprises. Keep the surprises to a minimum. That’s what stresses us out. And that’s just not healthy in any organization.”
Dave said he knows the stress that comes with the annual performance review.
“You might think that everything’s going well, but then all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘Write down everything you’ve done.’ And then your mind goes blank,” Dave said. “I haven’t done anything. Like I’m pretty sure I showed up to work, but I can’t think of anything right now.”
“Yeah, that should not be a surprise,” Hammond replied. “And it starts really with the leaders and managers of an organization.”
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New study ranks Utah as one of the worst states to work in
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Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.
*The Management Minute “Home Team” Podcast is hosted by Professor Scott C. Hammond (KSL Management Minute, Huntsman USU MBA Professor) who describes practical ideas for building your home team community and increasing your productivity. Join the “Home Team.” Listen daily for ideas and inspiration.
