In the pre-pandemic world, there was a growing epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and decreasing mental health. And the impacts of a virus didn’t improve the situation. We all know intuitively that our mental and emotional wellbeing is important. But we don’t necessarily know what to do about it. Further, most consider work a part of the problem. What if work could be a place to improve our wellbeing?

Wellbeing at Work is well timed for 2021. Gallup CEO, Jim Clifton, and Gallup Chief Workplace Scientist, Jim Harter, take a data-driven approach to understand the factors that contribute to wellbeing. They identify five key elements of wellbeing and explain each:

• Career
• Social
• Financial
• Physical
• Community

Simply reading these five words shows us that our work could and does impact each, thus profoundly impacting our wellbeing. Importantly, the book does more than describe this framework. It gives us practical actions to take to improve our wellbeing in each of these areas at work. Specific tips and ideas leaders can apply with confidence, based on the deep data insights – one of Gallup’s big strengths.

The authors also introduce a metric that goes beyond a baseline of wellbeing but raises our sights towards our best possible life. They tie the five factors together and create a new metric for organizations to consider: a Net Thriving score.

The concepts are backed by data, yet very readable and practical. It is helpful to us as individuals, leaders, and organizations thinking about one of the most important topics of the next few years – the connection of wellbeing to work, mental health, productivity, and results.

This work helps us today and helps us see the future more clearly at the same time. It is an important read loaded with particularly relevant insights, and I highly recommend it.

Don’t Want to Wait?

You can start benefiting from this book before your copy arrives on your doorstep. I had the great pleasure of talking about these ideas with co-author Jim Harter recently on the Remarkable Leadership Podcast. You can listen or watch from here, or find The Remarkable Leadership Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Spotify.

Related Posts