Gallup has found that the two major factors which influence employee performance are well-being and engagement. Some companies focus primarily on employee performance while others focus on their employees’ well-being. Gallup partnered with Healthways to measure well-being through five elements that are crucial to a life well-lived.
Here are the five elements of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index1 and how they impact employee performance.
Purpose encompasses liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals. Dale Carnegie said, “The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.” Mistakes are inevitable and an opportunity for managers to encourage employees through constructive, healthy criticism or discourage which stymies motivation. Providing positive feedback and reinforcement; setting and measuring goals; and offering rewards such as recognition or bonuses are great ways to build employees’ sense of well-being while also improving their engagement. Consider recognizing employees for their well-being achievements.
Social is all about having supportive relationships and love in your life. Employees who work on strong teams in friendly environments are more engaged than those who do not. Dale Carnegie’s Human Relations principles share one common goal—winning friends and influencing people. By learning and applying them, employees learn how to have supportive relationships both at home and at work.
Financial is how well you manage your economic life to reduce stress and increase security. While your salary certainly impacts your economic life, only you have the power to make sound decisions regarding your finances. If you’re deep in debt, set a goal for the New Year to pay it down over a time period with which you are comfortable. If you need more income, consider how you can set yourself up for a promotion or even a career change. The more financially secure you feel, the better your well-being will be and hence, your performance at work.
Community addresses liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community. Being part of community fosters a sense of pride and purpose at home which resonates at work. Dale Carnegie said, “Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.” Feeling unsafe in your neighborhood; worrying that your children are in a sub-par school district; and other negative aspects about your community will most likely cause you to have anxiety which will transfer to your professional life, so put a plan together to move in the New Year.
Physical encompasses having good health and enough energy to get things done daily. Dale Carnegie said, “Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today…Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.” If you aren’t getting enough sleep, need to add exercise to your regimen and/or modify your nutrition habits, create a plan with goals to do so…and stick to it.
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