What makes people happy at work? What are their true wants and needs? Is employee happiness exaggerated? Is it true that people's lives improve in general when they are happy and perform well at work?
In this podcast, Dr. Elia discusses all the above aspects of employee happiness including the role of rewards and recognitions, and how leaders may overcome hurdles in creating the best workplace experience. He then shares his studies and experience, which show that when people are happy and do well at work, their lives improve in every way.
Listen to our podcast on: The Secret To A Great Workplace Experience
According to Dr. Elia, great employers who appreciate and help employees feel welcome at work are the first key to employee happiness. Second, employees must be given ample opportunities to improve. The third most crucial component is a safe and healthy working environment. Elia added that regardless of positions, we are human beings with feelings; we like to be rewarded verbally or in other ways. It's common sense, but we don't always follow it. When we do, though, we have the happiest workforce. Employee happiness is boosted by incentives such as gift cards, additional vacation time, and genuine empathy in the workplace. Many businesses are implementing unlimited vacation policies too. It's also high time for leaders to set higher standards for themselves.
About The Speaker
Dr. Elia Gourgouris is the president of The Happiness Center, an organization of world-leading experts in the field of Positive Psychology dedicated to creating personal success and happiness. He is also Founding Partner at The Global Institute of Thought Leadership, an organization that brings together bestselling authors, world-renowned speakers, industry experts and pioneering thinkers who all share a common goal: Changing the world of ideas.
Dr. Elia is the author of the #1 best-selling Amazon book, 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness, which has been translated in Mandarin, Cantonese and Greek. He recently co-authored the highly acclaimed book 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics and Other Disasters. His message is featured in respected publications and media around the world.
With his Positive Psychology background, he has helped thousands of people both in their careers and in their relationships to achieve success and better work-life balance. As a keynote speaker he frequently presents at international conferences and Universities focusing on corporate wellness, mental health, positive leadership, building trust & loyalty, and building resilience and agility. He coaches leaders and their companies to help them build a culture of trust, accountability, and empowerment. The result is that happily engaged employees are more productive, collaborative, and innovative. He co-hosts the weekly The Kindness and Happiness Connection podcast and was the Executive Producer of the Reality TV show Cash Cowboys and is currently working on a new Reality TV show called The Kindness Givers!
Dr. Elia was born and raised in Athens, Greece, where he became a National Swim Champion. He moved with his family to Santa Monica, CA when he was ten. He received his BA in psychology from UCLA, and then went on to receive his MA and PhD in psychology.
Connect with Dr. Elia on Linkedin
Show Notes:
(00:55) We spend a lot of time at work and in the workplace, and I believe it can be a huge downer if you aren't happy to be there. You've given this a lot of thought already, Elia. How do you see this as a very important matter and help others try to understand that better?
(01:50) What makes employees happy? What do they really want? I mean we know that it totally differs from person to person but there must be a few common things that we can’t miss mentioning here
(03:03) People work for money but go extra mile for recognition, praise, and rewards” What role does rewards and recognition play in employee happiness?
(06:08) What do have to say about the hype about employee happiness? Do you think workplace happiness is overrated?
(07:45) How can you overcome any obstacle while keeping your employees happy and engaged?
(16:55) You have helped thousands of people; both personally and professionally, achieve happiness, prosperity, and wellness as the President of The Happiness Center, which is a premier international professionals association in the field of Positive Psychology. Do your research and experience prove that people's lives get better all-around if they are happy and perform well at work?
(19:00) What are some of the ways that we may use technology to improve employee happiness, engagement and learn more about what's going on in the workplace?
(23:30) Your suggestions to our HR listeners.
