Comments on: Get happy http://humansatwork.com/get-happy/ Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:50:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kelley Eskridge http://humansatwork.com/get-happy/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Kelley Eskridge Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:38:40 +0000 http://humansatwork.com/?p=1224#comment-77 <strong>Jennifer</strong>, I agree that the bad/sad/mad feelings created by poor management do tend to spread in companies. It's a poisonous feedback system: unhappy people are often very vocal about their perspective, and if enough other people start seeing things the same way... well, that's often the first step toward major organizational implosion. In her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Conversations-Achieving-Success-Conversation/dp/0425193373%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dhumansatwork-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0425193373" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fierce Conversations</a>, Susan Scott quotes a line from a Hemingway story: "How did you go bankrupt? Gradually, then suddenly." Bad management is a big factor in making the <em>gradually</em> happen. Jennifer, I agree that the bad/sad/mad feelings created by poor management do tend to spread in companies. It’s a poisonous feedback system: unhappy people are often very vocal about their perspective, and if enough other people start seeing things the same way… well, that’s often the first step toward major organizational implosion.

In her book Fierce Conversations, Susan Scott quotes a line from a Hemingway story: “How did you go bankrupt? Gradually, then suddenly.” Bad management is a big factor in making the gradually happen.

]]> By: Jennifer http://humansatwork.com/get-happy/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Jennifer Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:27:35 +0000 http://humansatwork.com/?p=1224#comment-67 I find that study easy to believe. I've seen it work in my own life. There is no question in my mind that the people in our environment affect us. And happiness is definitely contagious. Even in small ways - just a smile is contagious. The article mentions the reverse (unhappiness or sadness) not being as contagious - probably because sad people are more withdrawn. But they are talking about socializing mostly, I think. It's been my experience that in the workplace, sad, bitter, or angry management is very contagious. In the work environment where withdrawal is sometimes impossible, those people affect other people. I've seen it happen with myself and with other people. I've also found that when the happier person keeps plugging away with basic human considerations, the unhappy person starts to catch on. It might seem to take a really long time, but it can happen. I don't think it's ever the responsibility for any company or any person to make another person happy. Everyone makes their own choices and has to deal with them. I agree that happiness in the workplace is more of a result of doing things right. That's why I think that the ideas you are putting forth here with your Leader's Manifesto, and the HAW program you have designed is so important. If people use the tools you have made available, the world will be a happier place. I really believe that. I find that study easy to believe. I’ve seen it work in my own life. There is no question in my mind that the people in our environment affect us. And happiness is definitely contagious. Even in small ways – just a smile is contagious.

The article mentions the reverse (unhappiness or sadness) not being as contagious – probably because sad people are more withdrawn. But they are talking about socializing mostly, I think. It’s been my experience that in the workplace, sad, bitter, or angry management is very contagious. In the work environment where withdrawal is sometimes impossible, those people affect other people. I’ve seen it happen with myself and with other people. I’ve also found that when the happier person keeps plugging away with basic human considerations, the unhappy person starts to catch on. It might seem to take a really long time, but it can happen.

I don’t think it’s ever the responsibility for any company or any person to make another person happy. Everyone makes their own choices and has to deal with them. I agree that happiness in the workplace is more of a result of doing things right. That’s why I think that the ideas you are putting forth here with your Leader’s Manifesto, and the HAW program you have designed is so important.

If people use the tools you have made available, the world will be a happier place. I really believe that.

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