When Google was named “Best Place to Work” again by Fortune Magazine, no one was surprised. The company has a reputation for treating employees to everything from massages to free vending machines. They have a sexy brand. It’s thought of as a colorful, fun place to work. However, research revealed that, far and above everything else, Google employees most value and appreciate the trust they feel in their leadership. They rated the Google culture “great” not because of the fun perks, but because of open, real-time communication, an authentic mission and trustworthy management.
Many studies conclude that trust is a key factor in human happiness, whether in a personal relationship, the workplace or the larger community. In his book, The Geography of Bliss, author Eric Weiner traveled the world, analyzing the happiness quotient of some of the happiest and most unhappy places on earth. He found that trust in one’s neighbors, community and government was consistently the most important factor in people’s happiness, no matter where they live or what their conditions. Trust outranked everything else – prosperity, environment, beauty – when it came to the main cause of happiness.
How people feel about the company they work for directly affects how they engage with their work. We all know this from personal experience! If we feel a common purpose – and are appreciated and respected for our part in it, we’re a lot more likely to go the extra mile. Creating a values-based organization rooted in trust and unified around a transparent, well-communicated mission is paramount to engaging management and employees at all levels. They want to understand the organization’s intended path and how they fit in. They want to believe that their company is run ethically and that what they do each day matters. They want a meaningful work experience. We all do.
So while ping-pong tables and espresso bars are fun additions to the workplace, the real return comes from being open and genuine. If you want your employees to think of your company as a “Best Place to Work”, focus on fostering trust. Then just watch what a little happiness can do.
