Deseret News: Money is a far-removed factor to what influences happiness in the workplace, according to an article by Harvard Business Review.
Those who are happiest at work had primarily three sources that influenced them: mastery, membership and meaning. While money contributes, it didn’t motivate enthusiasm or leave workers with fulfillment after coming home each day.
“Everyone, regardless of their work situation, [should] have a sense of responsibility for at least one aspect of changing the world,” said Rosabeth Kanter, a Harvard professor and author of the article. “It’s as though we all have two jobs: our immediate tasks and the chance to make a difference.”
Jobs that dealt with some of the most difficult human problems brought employees the most satisfaction.
Such was the case with Ellen Goodman. Goodman was previously a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist but she quit her columnist job. After dealing with the grief of her dying mom, Goodman started The Conversation Project, which is a campaign to help families face talking about death and end-of-life care.