HBR IdeaCast

Find Joy in Any Job: Why Am I Unhappy at Work?

Apr 7, 2022

In a lively discussion, Marcus Buckingham, head of research on people and performance at the ADP Research Institute and author of Love + Work, sheds light on why many feel unhappy at work, especially post-pandemic. He emphasizes that quitting isn't always the answer. Instead, he advocates for integrating joy into daily tasks by allowing individual interests to flourish. Buckingham reveals surprising engagement levels across demographics and highlights how even mundane jobs can become fulfilling through meaningful connections and passions.

24:03

Creator website

Episode guests

Marcus Buckingham

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Resilience and Engagement: A Dissection of Discontent

9min

Finding Fulfillment Beyond Boredom at Work

3min

Finding Joy and Fulfillment in the Workplace

6min

Finding Joy in Daily Work: The 20% Rule

5min

There’s been much talk about the Great Resignation and what’s driving it. The pandemic has exacerbated a long-term problem: many of us struggle to find any pleasure in our work. But quitting isn’t the only the solution. Often, it’s not feasible. In this special series from HBR, we look at a different path: figuring out what you really love and crafting your current role around that. In this episode, we dig into the data showing why people feel so disengaged and what they feel is missing from their work. IdeaCast co-host Alison Beard speaks with Marcus Buckingham, head of research on people and performance at the ADP Research Institute and author of the new book Love + Work.

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