Powered by Happy

by Beth Thomas

About the Author

Beth Thomas is an internationally acclaimed expert in organizational change and employee engagement. As CEO of Change 4 Growth, she draws from extensive experience leading transformations at JP Morgan Chase and Limited Brands. An accomplished speaker and executive coach, Thomas has also contributed to influential books such as On Demand Learning and Lies About Learning.

The Happiness-Success Connection

Contrary to conventional wisdom, success doesn't necessarily lead to happiness—it's happiness that drives success. Supported by extensive research, this insight is revolutionary for workplaces. Happy employees are 40% more productive, demonstrate greater creativity, and stay longer in their roles. This isn't mere optimism; it's neurochemistry at work. Positive emotions trigger brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, enhancing cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making.

Not only do happier employees excel in performance metrics like sales and customer satisfaction, but their positive attitude also makes them ideal candidates for leadership and advancement. Importantly, happiness isn't a lucky break but a skill anyone can develop. Like exercising a muscle, boosting workplace happiness involves consistent practice and intentional habits, irrespective of one's position or circumstances.

Powering Up

Beth Thomas outlines five essential elements for cultivating happiness at work, forming a robust framework:

Purpose involves connecting daily tasks to meaningful outcomes. Identifying how your work contributes to something valuable can invigorate even mundane tasks. Whether it's mentoring, improving customer experiences, or aligning with a broader mission, purpose energizes and motivates.

Ownership emphasizes actively shaping your workplace experience rather than passively awaiting happiness. Initiating changes like reorganizing your workspace, setting clear boundaries, or undertaking projects that genuinely excite you places control firmly in your hands.

Wisdom means extracting lessons from every experience, good or bad. Embracing curiosity and openness turns challenges into growth opportunities, encouraging continuous improvement and deeper engagement with your work.

Energy management revolves around optimizing your mental and physical resources. By scheduling important tasks during peak energy periods and incorporating brief restorative activities—such as short walks or reflective moments—you maintain productivity and positivity throughout the day.

Resilience prepares you to handle inevitable workplace setbacks gracefully. Developing strategies to manage stress, maintain perspective, and bounce back quickly transforms adversity into resilience-building experiences.

These elements collectively create a sustainable approach to workplace happiness, dramatically improving your overall work experience and effectiveness.

A Charged-Up Mindset

Developing a happier workplace begins with subtle yet powerful shifts in mindset. Start each day intentionally. Rather than immediately diving into emails, spend a few minutes identifying three things you're looking forward to, even small pleasures like a coffee break or an interesting project. This primes your brain for positivity.

When faced with challenges, practice reframing them from multiple angles. A demanding client could be an opportunity to sharpen your negotiation skills; a tough project might teach valuable new methodologies. This approach doesn't deny reality but instead emphasizes growth and learning.

Actively managing negative thoughts is crucial. Keep reminders of past successes or positive feedback handy to disrupt negative spirals. Changing self-talk can also profoundly affect your outlook. Shift phrases from "I have to" to "I get to," turning obligations into opportunities and positively reframing tasks.

Building positive relationships with colleagues further reinforces a constructive mindset. Engage with colleagues who have an optimistic outlook, and celebrate shared successes. Positivity, when shared, creates a feedback loop that naturally elevates everyone's spirits.

These incremental mindset shifts accumulate over time, resulting in lasting improvements in workplace happiness.

Your Happiness Toolkit

Creating practical tools and routines supports ongoing happiness. Think of these as daily practices that equip you to navigate workplace challenges effectively:

Gratitude practice: Keep a brief daily record of workplace successes, even minor ones. Regular acknowledgment of positive experiences creates a valuable resource for boosting morale during tougher times.

Maintaining perspective: View workplace decisions and challenges from an organizational, rather than personal, perspective. This broader view prevents unnecessary emotional strain and promotes balanced decision-making.

Humility: Check your ego regularly. Actively listen, share credit generously, and view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than threats.

Recognition rituals: Regularly acknowledge colleagues' contributions, fostering a positive environment that enhances everyone's sense of well-being.

Value alignment: Regularly evaluate if your tasks align with personal values. Adjustments, when necessary, ensure continued fulfillment and authenticity in your role.

Gradually integrating these tools ensures their effectiveness and sustainability. Sharing these practices with colleagues or teams can amplify their benefits, creating a collaborative environment focused on mutual happiness and success.

The Ripple Effect of Happiness

Your personal happiness at work doesn't remain isolated—it creates powerful ripples influencing your entire workplace. Your attitude, interactions, and behaviors significantly shape the workplace culture, often more profoundly than formal policies.

Start by exemplifying the kind of colleague you wish to have: genuine, supportive, respectful, and positive. Investing in relationships through genuine curiosity about colleagues' aspirations and challenges fosters mutual trust and camaraderie.

Practicing "assuming innocence" in interactions transforms your approach to workplace conflicts. Instead of presuming negative intentions, choose to believe your colleagues act from positive motives. This reduces unnecessary conflict and builds positive, productive interactions.

Building meaningful workplace friendships creates invaluable allies, individuals who deeply understand the pressures and joys of your daily professional life. Routine expressions of gratitude and recognition significantly enhance the atmosphere, boosting morale and productivity across teams.

Lead by example, reducing complaints, actively supporting colleagues, and maintaining professionalism even when challenging. Your authentic happiness practices inspire others, reinforcing a culture of positivity and resilience.

Ultimately, genuine happiness fosters a workplace environment where everyone thrives, generating widespread organizational benefits that extend far beyond your individual desk.

Final Summary

Beth Thomas's Powered by Happy presents happiness as the true driver of workplace success.

Happiness, she argues, is a strategic choice and skill, supported by five foundational elements—purpose, ownership, wisdom, energy, and resilience. Practical tools such as gratitude practices, perspective maintenance, humility, and recognition rituals foster lasting positivity.

By embedding these practices into your daily routine and mindset, you cultivate sustained happiness. This happiness creates beneficial ripples throughout your workplace, transforming the overall environment into one of increased productivity, creativity, and fulfillment for everyone involved.