In October of 2003, the Gallup Organization created a 12-question survey designed to measure employee engagement. Their work was motivated by a desire to measure levels of employee satisfaction. Around the turn of the century, organizations began to fear that their most desired employees were becoming bored. They worried that many of them would burn-out and move on to other avenues where they could find more exciting work.
Then, troubling times entered our horizons. The economic challenges we faced over the past three years forced many organizations to shrink their employee base. Their desire, of course was to keep the very best, and somehow keep them motivated so that they could do more with less resources. Many of the survivors are barely hanging on. The constant pressures they face are causing many organizations to raise a new concern. The fear of burn-out is now giving way to a fear of burn-up. They are afraid that many or those that are left will no longer be capable of staying on the job. They just won’t have anything left to give. Organizations are desperately trying to find something that will help them overcome this challenge.
Friends At Work
I think the answer to one of Gallup’s questions, "Do you have a best friend at work?", may prove to be a simple and cost effective solution to creating more energy at work. Gallup found that people with friends at work are 96% more likely to be extremely satisfied with their lives. In addition, they found that those with a best friend at work are 7 times more likely to be emotionally engaged on the job. When we are emotionally engaged, we feel better about ourselves; we feel like we are better able to cope with the challenges we face.
Work is always better when it is combined with a social experience, and it can take a lot of time and trust to develop true friendships at work. Even though there are many people all around us, we can still feel isolated. If we want a friend at work, we must first be a friend.
Building Trust
Friendships at work are often sabotaged by the competitive nature of most organizations. The reality shows of the day are a microcosm of what usually goes on when everybody is focused on their own agenda. Many claim to share a desire for collaboration, while behind the scenes they are looking for ways for them to win even when it means that those around them will lose. This makes it difficult to know who we can really trust and many feel like they can’t trust anybody.
The solution is simple, but counterintuitive. If we really want to build friendships, then we need to build the people around us. The counterintuitive part is finding out what they want and then supporting them in getting it. When we do this, it can feel like we are subordinating our own career goals to help someone else reach and accomplish theirs. The reality is that when we are seen building others, we are also seen as leaders. Those that are seen as leaders are the ones that get promoted.
What Will Your Contribution Be
In your organization, I am sure that there are many who are struggling just to make ends meet. You may even be one of them. Don’t let that hold you back from helping somebody. You have something of great value that you can share with others. I invite you to lift your head up and look around. When you do, you will see a need that only you can meet. Don’t be afraid to meet it. Stand up and offer what you have. You will immediately begin to feel great. Greatness comes by doing great things. What are you waiting for?
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