Alive At Work
Creating conditions conducive to staff involvment and self-fulfillment.
Author(s): Daniel M. Cable
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
Date of publication: 2018
Manageris opinion
According to numerous surveys, an increasing number of employees feel minimally involved in their job. Daniel Cable, a psychologist and teacher at the London Business School, applies himself to demonstrate that the human being is not designed for routine and repetition, which nonetheless often rule employees’ daily life. On the contrary, humans thrive in exploration, experimentation and learning.
The author explains that staff disengagement is not due to a chronic lack of motivation, but rather to the fact that, once adults and integrated into the professional world, we no longer sufficiently solicit the zone of our brain dedicated to “exploration” (“Seeking system”). Indeed, neuroscience testifies that when this zone is activated, we feel an upsurge in dopamine, a molecule associated to motivation and pleasure.
Beyond physiological explanations, the author explains in a practical way how to use the greatest strengths of each person to place them at the service of the company. He provides tips to create environments that lead staff members to share ideas, and shows how to create personalized experiences to help everyone find meaning in their work.
A valuable perspective to promote self-fulfillment at work.
