Companies often turn to material perks (bonuses, game rooms, free food) in the hopes of making employees happier. But research suggests that these efforts, while appreciated, aren’t effective drivers of long-term well-being. Instead, leaders should be mindful about giving their employees three things:
- Inspiration. Remind employees how their work is improving people’s lives. Distributing client or customer testimonials and announcing when corporate profits are donated to charities are just a couple of examples of how to do so.
- Kindness. Show you care about your staff as people, not just employees. Simply asking how someone is doing personally and really listening to their answer is a good first step.
- Self-Care. Create a culture in which it is acceptable and encouraged to exercise, take breaks from work, and have more strict boundaries between work and home. Finding ways to reduce job stress ultimately increases well-being and engagement.
Adapted from "To Motivate Employees, Do 3 Things Well," by Emma Seppala
