MEET YOUR NEEDS

© 2008

By Doris Helge, Ph.D.

Syndicated Columnist

Joy on the Job Coach

No one is going to force you to be happy at work.

Of course, there are some advantages when you enjoy what you do during over 50 percent of your waking hours. Studies say you’ll make more money, be healthier, and enjoy more rewarding personal relationships.

Bosses often trip over their own feet as they scramble to support happy employees. People who whistle while they work receive the most perks, promotions, and raises, than grumblers.

What comes first  —  wearing a smile or being coddled by management?

Microsoft employee, Richard Brodie, received company-wide recognition for developing a stellar piece of software. He was promoted to a management position with lots of perks.

As Brodie said in “Getting Past OK,” he quit Microsoft even though he had what many people think creates joy at work. In spite of money, respect, and fame, Brodie was unhappy, depressed, and exhausted.

He hadn’t figured out what he needed to be happy at work, and he didn’t know how to ask for help. Microsoft lost a five-star performer when Brodie quit his job.

As Brodie discovered later, happy workers nurture themselves. They know what they need and they’re comfortable asking for help when they need it.

This is great news. People who are miserable at work don’t have to wait for their boss to become Mother Teresa of the Workplace. 

If you’re unhappy about something at work, you can immediately begin to create more joy on the job by identifying your needs and asking for assistance.

Your employer or team members may never notice you need something. Your requirements may be very different from theirs. You are the ideal spokesperson for you. No one else will ever understand you as well as you do.

It’s also your job to communicate your unmet needs in ways that ensure you’ll be understood by others.

If you don’t tell people your needs, your wish list will grow longer.   When you reach out for help, emotional turmoil at work can vanish like a feather in a hurricane.

It’s not a sign of weakness to ask other people for help. It’s a sign of inner strength and high self-esteem. (“I deserve assistance.”) When you request support, you honor the strengths of others.

None of us has the time or is capable of doing everything that needs to be done. We all sometimes need assistance. Even when other people aren’t aware of it, they help themselves when they lend you a hand.

Follow two basic guidelines.

Rule #1  --  Put the organization’s needs first.

Rule #2  --  Sell yourself and your idea by promising accountability.

Design a compelling proposal for your boss or team leader. Let’s say you hate doing one of your major tasks but you can’t delegate it to someone else. With your strengths in mind, suggest a better way to spend your time.

“I can help the company make more money by using my time doing what I’m uniquely qualified to do.”

After spelling out how much more the company can make (or save) when your idea is implemented, seal the deal. Promise specific results in exchange for a trial of your proposal. Anticipate potential resistance. Respond to possible challenges.

“I’ll personally supervise an outsource vendor. If we don’t see positive results after a six-month trial basis, I’ll cheerfully return to the way we’re doing business now.”

Instead of standing on the sidelines longing for your needs to be fulfilled, become an active participant in the great game of giving and receiving. Tell others how they’ll benefit when your needs are met.

No one will force you to be happy at work . . . but it’s a lot more fun.

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Doris Helge, Ph.D., is an executive coach, corporate trainer, and speaker. She is author of “Joy on the Job” and “Transforming Pain Into Power,” published in many languages. Dr. Helge hosts the “Joy on the Job” radio show and www.MoreJoyOnTheJob.com. To discover how to create more fun and fulfillment at work and boost employee retention, contact Dr. Helge at Doris@MoreJoyOnTheJob.com.

Illustrator: Kevin Ward, contact: boarderguy4@hotmail.com