What's Draining Your Workplace Energy and Joy? Identifying and Addressing Sources of Unhappiness to Boost Productivity and Morale, by Jonathan H. Westover PhD

The HCL Review Podcast

Abstract: This article explores the major factors that contribute to employee unhappiness and low engagement based on organizational behavior theory and empirical research. It identifies unclear role expectations, lack of autonomy, poor leadership, and unhealthy workplace cultures as key sources of job dissatisfaction. Research shows only 30% of workers worldwide feel engaged in their jobs, indicating widespread unhappiness comes at a cost to both individual well-being and organizational performance. The article outlines specific strategies organizations can implement to address each issue, such as providing detailed job descriptions, setting clear performance goals, empowering employees with control and input, developing effective leadership skills, and fostering a positive values-driven culture. Additional considerations like workload concerns, growth opportunities, recognition programs, and coworker relations are also discussed. By understanding why jobs so often fail to inspire and implementing targeted improvement initiatives, leaders can systematically transform work into a fulfilling experience that maximizes employee potential and engagement. This enhances organizational competitiveness by differentiating companies as employers of choice.