Paper Chase: Why Do We Work?
Why we work and what we want from work are different.
The Fed has decided to keep rates near zero. An increase was expected, but a weak global economy and low inflation were cited as reasons for keeping rates low. A hike is still expected near the end of the year.
Retail sales rose .2% percent in August, the 6th straight increase. Restaurants and auto dealers did well. This is important because consumer demand is 2/3 of economy.
Work Satisfaction
Nearly 90% of employees in the world are not engaged or actively disengaged at work. It’s slightly better in the. U.S. According to Barry Schwartz, author of Rethinking Work, we hate our jobs because no one has tried to develop jobs worth liking. There has been a theory prevailing in the west over the last century that we only work to get paid, and it doesn’t matter what we do.
In actuality, people want work that is challenging and engaging, allows some discretion and control, provides opportunities to learn and grow, has an environment of respect from supervisors and from colleagues, and finally work that is meaningful and makes a difference in people’s lives. They want to get paid, but a paycheck is not a substitute for these things.
Meaning and satisfaction is found at the lowest rings of hierarchies. Janitors at hospitals, for example, feel that part of their job is comforting patients and making the hospital run more smoothly. This feeling should be transferable up the workplace hierarchy but hardly ever is.
The best workplace satisfaction is apparently found at the Container Store. Employees there think the most important thing in the world is customers walking in with exactly what they need. Nothing more and nothing less. The employees are committed to satisfying a consumer need or desire with success meaning having improved that person’s day. Management generally often fails to reinforce this concept in their employees.
Corporate culture is crucial and as a small business owner myself, I stress providing an environment where everyone onvolves know that our mission is providing products and services that people both need and want for it will vastly improve their lives. People should want to go to work. Not just have to go to work.
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