This is what makes employees happy at work | The Way We Work, a TED series

There are three billion working people on this planet, and only 40 percent of them report being happy at work. Michael C. Bush shares his insights into what makes workers unhappy -- and how companies can benefit their bottom lines by fostering satisfaction.
The Way We Work is a TED original video series where leaders and thinkers offer practical wisdom and insight into how we can adapt and thrive amid changing workplace conventions.
Visit go.ted.com/thewaywework for more!

[@shadowdance4666]

1. Trust and respect 2. Fairness 3. Listening 4. Changing for positive results

[@IJ72]

BS is nr 5. When I have same pay as Ceo then those 4 are true! But for now I need 2,5 years to work for CEO 1 month of pay. Your nr 2 is gone

[@judipattison9710]

Ivica Jaranovic you will never be a CEO!

[@IJ72]

@@judipattison9710and?

[@calsdorf3]

Ivica Jaranovic , it’s not all people being payed the same, it’s all people at the same kind of job with the same level of proficiency being paid the same. Justice vs. Social Justice which is really an oxymoron.

[@eclipse369.]

#5 Terminate dumbass and/or toxic employees

[@BiggMo]

Close friend of mine owns a small sign shop with only a handful of employees. He said something one day that engraved itself into my mind. He said, “I don’t expect my employees to treat and respect our customers any better than I treat and respect them....”.

[@hugh2hoob668]

That's a good leader

[@tommychappell6359]

Why's that?

[@drakecarter1780]

He's losing customers then.

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

@@drakecarter1780 Many employers would.

[@abdulnewman1095]

1. Trust and respect 2. Fairness 3. Listening 4. Changing for positive 1. Trust and respect this is all what we need.

[@77thNYSV]

Listening is one big issue at my workplace. One person says an idea or gives some feedback and it gets wrecked and ignored. Another person says the exact same thing and bosses act like it's a mind blowing epiphany. Not all employees have the same credibility in their eyes.

[@chrisd6736]

The only time I am happy at work is the 5 min walk to my car...

[@thelaurels13]

Chris D then perhaps you need to find another job my friend.

[@IJ72]

And I following you.

[@kasiss9]

that's really sad, change your job

[@sup115what5]

True

[@txbeargreg]

It takes you 5 minutes to walk to your car?

[@steffi.mp4]

yes yes yes! How employees are treated is so important! I personally think trust and respect are the most vital aspects of having a good relationship with each other. Loving this series. can't wait for more!

[@teacheranalice]

Lack of fairness was the reason why I left my former job and because of that I could have my own company! I'm so proud of myself for truly believing that it was possible 🙆

[@RA-qq8nf]

Miss teacher Analice how many years now?

[@ambellamy1222]

Congratulations hun

[@callmeteacherama3362]

I'm thinking of doing what you did. Thanks for the inspiration. I want to start educational consultancy and you just boosted my morale.

[@mickisanders6222]

@@RA-qq8nf I Uintah

[@mickisanders6222]

@@RA-qq8nf 6600c

[@geensjc]

I need to anonymously send this clip to all of management at my office 🤔😂

[@idchamp]

i am sure half of the world is thinking the same, do it!

[@ernestsbarons8429]

Make a fake email-account - send it! They'll thank the universe for recieving it :D

[@shadowdance4666]

Geenz L get a drop phone. The preferred method of drug dealers and spies like us. Just don’t buy it with a credit card. Cash only and wear a hat that you don’t normally wear lol. Good luck 🍀👍

[@hopmalloy4364]

(9 Lol

[@cjo110583]

Why be anonymous, just send it...?!

[@yahalife]

Work culture plays such an important role. Great talk! Thank you.

[@warrennorth141]

This was a great video! Short however so sweet. It’s exactly why I am quitting my job to start my own company. A company is only as good as it’s employees and when you patronize or ignore your employees, well let’s just say I’m not going to give 100 percent to someone who doesn’t have the slightest care to as what I think especially when I’m the one doing all the work. Once I get my license and put my resignation in, I’m going to send my employer this video for the reason why I quit. I work, soon will be worked for a roofing and siding contractor, out of 18 employees I am the only American and the only bilingual English-Spanish speaking employee(boss Russian and English speaking) and once I get my license I have no doubt all his Spanish speaking employees will not hesitate to jump ship. Thank you Special Places of Ocean City, NJ you’ve taught me a lot about trust and now I will teach you a lesson in respect!,,

[@tracyl5639]

Totally agree. I’m lucky to have wonderful bosses and staff.

[@tommychappell6359]

But can you do better? Because I know I can.

[@cs8782]

If I fail, if I succeed at least I’ll live as I believe. No matter what they take away from me, they’ll never take away my dignity.

[@kenyettaready]

go on Whitney. Sing girl.

[@MrJhonatanGommes]

We and all the great companies should watch this video! Trust and respect are fundamental, this is the basis for everything. Fairness, if you don't have this sense you will probably lose admiration of people - therefore, fairness come in order of trust and respect. Listening, I have to say: this is one of the biggest reasons people become disappointed, when you feel you're just another one at work. Be truly interested in people, with your co-workers. If you understand these ideas and trust in that you will certainly turns the environment more healthy. Guys, try to practice these ideas and be the change!

[@frankfahrenheit9537]

Many happy empoyees work in successful companies. (1)Does this mean that the success stems from the happiness? (2)Or does happiness stems from the success? I opt for (2). Working for a successful company means: - less pressure - less overtime - more time for experiments Less pressure, less overtime and more time for experiments may be reasons for even more success for the company and more happyness for the employees.

[@smoothfrequency558]

Unless..... Its the.... Post Office.

[@IJ72]

@@smoothfrequency558 or you are politician.

[@wavewavewave640]

Good point, but still the survey shows, that unhappy employees as reasons, why they are unhappy mentions that they are not trusted and respected, not treated equally and not being listened, not because the pressure is too big, or there are no times for experiments.

[@tommychappell6359]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​@@wavewavewave640 He's right. Yepp. Treated poorly. Respect being number 1. Oh and being condescended to. As well. We often don't see the bosses within people. The people within the people. we just see what we see and treat based what we see/is seen but that's a Terribleee mistake. Also treating someone with maturity as well. Something that outright drives my nut in is being treated like a child. It really irritates my skin not being treated as a competent/driven adult/individual. Regardless if one's intention is meant for good. It's not good for someone else. And that's a good point. Because most people talk about toxicity in form of negativity. But toxicity can come from positivity as well. Positivity made to bolster an individual than individual they show no authority for. Positive patrony. Whether it was out of good intention doesn't MATTER. It's not good intention and will never be appreciated when treat someone off perceived value that is not inherent to them, than what individual knows they actually deserve. Untrue of what Individual actually MERITS. And this coincidentally ties exactly in with credibility factor. Which is a good word to describe. I don't need uplifting or bolstering. My job is simple. Work. So let me do what I was assigned for. Sometimes I know people do mean well and I appreciate extra go to effort. But only once I have done my job. Save it for after. Appreciate the exchange/extra go of effort. But save after. Or goes from positive to rly quite annoying. One of those. Goes from kindness to pure out annoyance. Treat me like man I am. Self competent and especially don't need help from anyone else. really crawls under me. Not personal just don't like. If knew me, actually knew me would know/understand right then n there (with humble smile on face :]. Issue is... People are blind. Don't know/realize actual profound truth/reality that I know deep down. Might come as revelation. Profound truth but once know you'll know, shock you out of reality. And likely apologize same time. Sry I I don't know. Mortified look on face. Because I know deeper truth than people know/come to realize. About what once I was capable of but didn't achieve because of a loss that took it. Completely unexpected and unfortseeable one, one couldn't have been accounted for through and through. Totally unfair to me/not able to account for. This is Invisible truth I go by day by day. But that's the point. It's invisible.

[@TheLily97232]

The issue of that point is that somehow underpaid people in a successful business. Which is what many employers seem to believe

[@yuenhai]

1. Trust It works in theory. But what if said employee does not have the best interests of the organization in mind? Do you still empower them to do whatever they feel is right? 2. Fairness Again, much easier said than done. Organizations would of course want to reward better employees with higher financial compensation; it does not make sense to pay everyone exactly the same. But how do you measure who is "better"? Unless the person in charge is omnipresent, the only way you can measure it is by setting KPIs and whatnot - and we know that humans have a propensity to cheat the system whenever they can, so ultimately no KPI is going to be perfect at determining who is better, it really boils down to something quite fuzzy 3. Listening This I can almost agree wholeheartedly with. Except when you hear the same "new idea" for the 10th time from the 10th new hire, and have to explain for the 10th time why the idea failed when it was implemented years back - it's really not a very new idea

[@michaelflinn2706]

Yes, you do, otherwise, you don't build trust.

[@user-nw5te4mo1q]

Part of my job is to take out trash. But my superior refuse to give me the keys to the big dumpster behind the store. That’s especially a problem since I am the one who closes the store at night. You can probably imagine a pile of trash, and you would not be wrong. My colleagues complained to me quite a few times, and I did ask for keys quite a few times. Didn’t get them. Soooo, I am just going to do what they told me to do. Period. Not really going to give them truthful feedback. why should I anyway? Right?

[@mksmike]

The salesforce example the man used for fairness just sounds shady. Did they actually investigate the cause or just gave raises like that? Because if it's the latter it will backfire.

[@mehrnazowrak4782]

It was one of the best vidoes I've ever seen on YT. An eye opener! Thank you!

[@anamariaanyana9552]

Next week will be my last one at the place I work at. I've been working for two years there and now , watching this video because i want to understand, learn and to establish some connections about some things, i realise once again that maybe it was a good decision to leave this pleace. Not all people are bad, but when an authoraty doesn't know how to behave with the employees, it is very hard and exhausting to want to be at this place.

[@user-re4iz9hm9h]

Fairness is often lacking. At my current place of employment its all about who you know and are related to.

[@dsthorp]

Thank you. Excellent points.

[@vanessat.pittman5340]

I choose happiness at my new job and I will keep to myself and not try to be friends but still be respectful and loving-hearted

[@tanyabalentine6193]

Very smart.

[@jd52wtf]

I am so happy when anyone asks me why. It either an opportunity to share some knowledge I have or to research something I may not know. We just need to keep on talking.....

[@betterXdesign]

I can't believe I didn't find your channel sooner. Hidden gem for sure! 💎

[@tanyabalentine6193]

So very true! Where there is trust, there are opportunities.

[@SeelenTaucher]

"Do whatever you think is right when servicing the Customer" Thanks much Boss for letting me d o and show best to Bring that company on Higher levels. I learned Lots of softskills all over years to make people feel understood, heared, treated well. It Looks different from what most learned. Every Customer / Team Connection shall BE treated Like a good longtherm relationship. WHO got the time to really listen and Take Care of those in Front of you?

[@triciaespino3976]

Thankful for my company. Felt like this vid is describing my workplace: TaskUs ♥️

[@mok1b1]

Awesome 4 minutes lol i hate when i have to go through a 20 min video just to get a 1 minute answer to my question lol

[@jaybee2402]

Speed up the vids to 1.5x, I find I can understand the points perfectly. A lot of YT vids are made for people who the producers know are frankly stoooopid. 😁

[@nicolas_gui23]

Great! I feel like the companies need to care more about people, cause if their jobs give them a good quality of life these people can help them to earn more money, it's a fair exchange.

[@mba2ceo]

NO FUKKEN WAY 40% are happy !!!

[@samurilip]

can we get some more thumbs here!

[@aliyanmehtab5018]

😆🤣

[@codacreator6162]

It IS about high, sustainable, and growing compensation. When pay is perceived as too low, it becomes the only consideration. When it is sufficiently high, it disappears as a subject of focus. Then and only then can you attack the 3 universal elements of human motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Trust, Skills Development, and Clear, Impactful Vision. Violate any one of these 3 and nothing else you do will make any sustainable difference at all.

[@walterkirk93]

1:11 love this momment

[@agustofquietwinda4838]

ping-pong table/massages/pet walking/perks , i like all of the four items . hahaha

[@Haydjay]

Thank you so much for this! I agree

[@guillermodvl]

He just said all the things I believe can change any organization

[@iamthepossible]

this is excellent and really confirms what I've believed for a very long time!

[@georgehbg610]

Wow! Spot on!

[@sashulikov]

great video! Currently one of the best from the whole series

[@nolanpaul1371]

I like that this video included pay in fairness because so many employers/companies propagandize people into getting us to believe that pay and fairness are mutually exclusive and that’s just too big a disconnect.

[@Mario-Chunks]

Absolutely 1000% spot on!

[@CandyLemon36]

This is an intricate web of ideas. A book I read was similarly complex yet rewarding. "The Art of Saying No: Mastering Boundaries for a Fulfilling Life" by Samuel Dawn

[@oogdiver]

The problem is that the bottom line for shareholders is not the primary concern of anyone below boardroom level. Creating a company that out performs the market is of zero concern to all the layers of middle management who couldn’t give a small damp fart if Scott in packing feels rewarded or empowered or Daddy Warbucks make an extra $100k in dividend this year. They are concerned about their salary only and getting Scott to work twice as hard year on year, for a 5% increase is what makes them a 6% increase for precisely no additional sweat. All they have to do is make Scott’s working life more and more miserable. The really noticeable thing about all these people who come up with high ideals about corporate employment is that they are obviously NOT corporate employees.

[@katme8055]

oogdiver it is about money and power. The worker bees are treated like slave labor

[@mksmike]

That's why people rally. Companies only give a crap if they're forced to. I bet they'd still be using child labor if no-one pressured the government to outlaw it

[@mickpee1468]

Start your own company and work for yourself then

[@di5833]

I’m so mistreated in the work place. I spend most of my life at work. Most of my life I’m mistreated. I grew up with an abusive mom so everyone thinks it’s ok. Everyday I am in pain cause the more it happens the more it hurts. I don’t know how to make it better.

[@nawatlsol]

Happiness is a state of mind. Find the people with the a happy state of mind and they will create a great company/workplace.

[@pharmclare]

Wow interesting insights,thanks

[@DreamwalkerTenesha]

PERFECT.

[@hickamsdictum]

This is spot on! Excellent!

[@lauragheorghe6801]

This us so good!! Best ideas so far for the employees engagement! Thank you for it!

[@brittney3156]

This guy is great

[@stafa5568]

Holy crap, that change of camera angle (3:05) made me look at his head twice. Anyways, those are some great advice he shared in the video.

[@happyandhealthy888]

1:59 agree with that everybody has its own perception about work

[@Ainsley_James]

This talk is trying to make people more conscious and aware. We have failed as a society to teach this in schools and so now we are failing these basic understandings of being conscious.

[@DiningTableOfficeWorker]

On point :)

[@ngusaleimali]

I like this video so easy to follow up

[@Tomoki-K]

I think it is difficult for older people to change their minds and their way of listening. They have strong life habits and strong pride. This is the reason why the organization could not change to the culture of happiness.

[@astridvdg1069]

Good content, amazing animations!

[@tomahawk1556]

Getting rid of Soulless KPI & Bringing back the Practices of Hiring Good Honest People , Practicing of Respect , Honesty , Appreciation , Promotion through Experienced , Management based on Meritocracy & Good Will , emphasize on Cooperation versus Competition among Employees to focus on of building the Company Family! KPI created many Hostilities among Employees in a Toxic Working Environment! 🕯

[@WhatSoEverThingsAreLovely]

There should be a national Workplace Constitution that says all this stuff & it should become the norm!! 😀😁😉

[@michaelgagaoudakis212]

There are some things presented here in an idealistic manner that generalizes far too much for specific application. We’re in a world that doesn’t value long job tenure as much as it did in previous generations. The key is to spend your time improving your recruitment, hiring, and training to weather the ups and downs of motivation and morale. No company can control it all. And at the end of the day employees are either going to be productive or unproductive. Some will be happy. Others will not. Regardless, Treat everyone how you wish to be treated and don’t wast your time trying to make everyone happy. Be the boss. That means nobody is going to love you. But hopefully you get a few that look up to you.

[@scottzanders503]

wow, very cool !

[@hugh2hoob668]

I've had jobs where on the exact moment i walk in I can feel the animosity ...At those jobs just RUN away after one check 🤣

[@heghoge4639]

No joke I laughed at this 😂 2:10

[@ambellamy1222]

Yeeesssss 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BobF510]

This is remarkable stuff. A similar book I read was a game-changer in my life. "The Art of Saying No: Mastering Boundaries for a Fulfilling Life" by Samuel Dawn

[@music.translation]

I love it)

[@saewings4963]

I got trust, fairness, listening, and our company is willing to change in many ways But sadly the industry I'm now in, is a shrinking field. So we get extremely high workload but we make no profit. Still people won't leave here yet, we somehow can sense that this company won't last long....hmmm

[@AliceHeartCat]

Need to send this to my boss...

[@frostxghostyt6313]

What a legend

[@MichaelRayBates]

Wow, my employer fails at all these.

[@dldk051]

Exactly. I don’t need no ping pong table. Trust is what I need

[@SeelenTaucher]

Best book for this Video: The Go Giver.

[@poerava]

Great talk! Any sources of studies? Thank you

[@IJ72]

Yes in Tommorow Land.

[@melanieandrews7832]

Spot on! All of it!

[@kawonik]

Hi Ted!

[@happyandhealthy888]

1:50 in our case hahaha

[@hugh2hoob668]

Poor training days and then high demands might be the biggest killers

[@Stettafire]

A three day training day with a 5am start 😭😭😭

[@evalee1696]

This is too ideal and I totally agree with everyone of them. However, the reality is not the same as everyone hope for. The employers do not trust you or respect because you are lower in rank than them. The one on top didn’t want to listen to you because your opinions won’t matter even though we have team meeting everyday, 2x per day. And lastly, whenever someone tries to transfer, they magically get disciplines for some rumors of complaints without investigating or listening to both sides of the story. So you end up staying in that unit years after years, consecutively.

[@markclift7695]

Okay. This sounds great, but how do I get management at where I work to even begin to follow these guidelines?

[@carlosa.botello9406]

I love my jobs.

[@phongnguyen-sz7io]

I think i just felt in love

[@mattgaming8717]

If the greed wasnt so indulged in. Employees would last longer. Work harder like the day the came in. And outlast your expectations. Take care.of them. Too much micro managing thinking you save$ when trust still matters to most respectable people out there. But who am I

[@giulianafritz2887]

los subtitulos estan mal se pueden arreglar? van desfasados

[@ebru7]

55 dislikes came from bad employers.. (2019/03/27; Have to prepare myself for an exam today, but I am watching videos on KZbin...)

[@shadowdance4666]

Ebru Okatan you’re an upper echelon procrastinator. You’ll make top management in no time

[@ebru7]

shadowdance4666 I’m not one of those, who “find their way”. I’ll do my way myself within top management. 👍🏻

[@IJ72]

Hmmm, positiv person on YT! Look out people!

[@Stettafire]

Actually it came from the final comment, about not working for a place if you don't believe in their "vision". Pragmatic people don't believe in visions, they believe in contracts, trust and respect. I don't give a toss about some "vision" I care about doing a good job and getting paid for it. That's it, no fluff

[@eddvcr598]

I watched this video to understand why I am so miserable at work, along with so many people working there. The company hires the most talented people in their fields, just to never trust any of their skills and professional advice. My team’s boss has created a clique within the team and is openly unfriendly / hostile to the teammates outside of the clique. Explains everything. It’s time for me to abandon ship.

[@dennisgahm]

This guy sounds like the guy from Key and Peele. Just listening to him makes me happy.

[@terryemmott2257]

Many happy empoyees work in successful companies. (1)Does this mean that the success stems from the happiness? (2)Or does happiness stems from the success? Frank I believe 1 & 2 work together strengthening each other

[@nightlifeking]

But how do you get this message to your boss and your bosses boss?

[@artschannel1359]

The one who got the knowledge gets to be the next boss ;)

[@IJ72]

Wait at they homes.

[@trentonpaul6376]

why isn't this video appearing in our sub boxes :/

[@dootu]

I think it's to do with how close together the videos are released. Had this happen for other channels I've subbed to.

[@lacroix1976]

for me this dont work , first im not in love with money anymore , i do a lot less than before but im having more free time for myself and what make me happy at my actual work is this : again it s time , time pass by very quickly when im at work , even if a boss is mad , or a unhappy coworker cant shut is mouth.....as long as i dont feel that day was a 20 hours workday while it was actualy 8 hours . I would say that now i feel like i work only a 4/5 hour in my day when it s 9h ^^

[@mingzhang8870]

all the good ideas conceptually is easy, but all depends on comittement and intelligence to solve problems. if problems not solved, it will be chain reactions to go negatives

[@idhamhafidz]

i’m trying to implement this, together with warren buffet management style and remotely

[@ebonyjoseph9705]

❤️

[@IJ72]

Reason why I go to work is MONEY. So if company pay me good I will continue coming back! Happy I will be after work!

[@mba2ceo]

Exploiters slave U as hard as they can, compensate U as LOW as they can & get rid of U as FAST as they can !!!

[@BunnyD1504]

What should we do when the new employees are not performing , however expect every advantage and full payments , because the organization had committed to it (during joining ) but are not ready to perform what they had committed ....

[@toonthinker2533]

Simple mr. Take care of them Train them well,teach them well. Dont shout to them. Motivate them. Treat them well. They'll perform better,they take care of your business like its theirs own business,they will treat their customers well,so your Employees grow = Customer Base grow = business brand grow = Successful business

[@suprafill]

This guy has got it so right. This reminds me of 7 Habits of highly effective people.

[@ryanorhon9636]

Agree

[@ryanorhon9636]

Agree

[@ryanorhon9636]

Agree de fou

[@kelvingrady6648]

Safe and sound

[@shakilislam2941]

Wow

[@cpenawin576]

👌

[@aldenbrown4130]

1:02 what is it?

[@prof.henriquerangel758]

I really wish I could get the script of that video

[@paceydoones]

Look at the description of the video, (it's the text underneath where it says 930K views 5 years ago) click "more," look at the middle of the section that's just opened up and underneath where it says *Transcript* there's a button to click to see the transcript. It will pop up in the top right of the screen, next to the video. You're welcome.

[@nixon5452]

Except for the trust, you could also get these things by forming a union.