Why Are We Here? Building a Better Culture at Work with Jennifer Moss
Jan 27, 2025
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In this engaging conversation, workplace culture strategist Jennifer Moss, author of "Why Are We Here?", sheds light on forging a healthier work environment. She discusses the urgent need to combat burnout, emphasizing hope, purpose, and community as foundational qualities. Jennifer offers strategies to enhance employee well-being, including celebrating small wins to boost motivation. The dialogue also explores the evolving landscape of remote work, the importance of DEI initiatives, and fostering a genuine sense of belonging among employees.
Cultivating workplace hope is essential, as celebrating small wins can combat feelings of helplessness and boost employee engagement.
Establishing a sense of purpose at work involves linking employees' roles to the greater organizational mission to enhance job satisfaction.
Deep dives
The Importance of Hope in the Workplace
Hope plays a crucial role in fostering a positive work environment and combating feelings of helplessness, particularly among younger employees. Many individuals aged 18 to 30 report experiencing regular doses of hopelessness, which can diminish their engagement and productivity at work. To cultivate hope, organizations should focus on celebrating small achievements rather than solely monumental milestones, reinforcing a sense of progress. Each small victory, from completing daily tasks to personal motivations, builds cognitive hope and helps individuals envision a brighter future despite the uncertainties in their professional paths.
Finding Purpose Beyond Job Satisfaction
Establishing a sense of purpose at work goes beyond merely enjoying one's job; it involves feeling that one’s contributions matter. Many skilled professionals, including healthcare workers and educators, have reported a loss of this connection to their purpose, leading to increased burnout and higher turnover rates. To reinvigorate purpose in the workplace, employers should facilitate discussions on individual motivations and values, helping employees link their roles to the greater organizational mission. Regular check-ins with team members about what excites them and what challenges they face can create a supportive atmosphere that fosters purpose and job satisfaction.
Building Community in the Modern Workplace
Creating a sense of community among employees is essential to combat isolation and enhance workplace culture, especially in light of changes brought about by the pandemic. Many have developed habits that discourage social interactions, a trend that needs addressing to re-establish connections in the workplace. Simple initiatives, such as taking 20 minutes to share lunch with a colleague, can significantly improve job satisfaction and foster relationships. Organizations should prioritize and plan for serendipitous encounters and shared experiences to cultivate a collaborative culture that nurtures creativity and engagement.
Quit rates are up, burnout is rampant, and your boss wants you in the office five days a week. But Jennifer Moss says work doesn’t have to be this way. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel and Jen unpack how we can create a better work culture.
Jen is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and workplace culture strategist. She is the author of six books on work and work culture. Her previous book, The Burnout Epidemic, came out in 2022 and her latest title Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wantswas released earlier this January.
Jen and Jessi discuss:
The three qualities at the foundation of a better work culture: hope, purpose, and community
How to deal with burnout
How to increase cognitive hope by celebrating small wins
DEI initiatives and how to foster a sense of belonging at work
The future of remote work
Return-to-office mandates and employee flexibility and autonomy