Friday espresso: The Workplace Happiness Advantage: Can You Afford to Ignore It?
Apr 04, 2025 1:01 am
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The Workplace Happiness Advantage: Can You Afford to Ignore It?
We often think of happiness at work as a nice-to-have—something extra, like office perks or occasional team outings. But the reality? Happiness is the foundation of success. A happy workplace isn’t just about good vibes—it’s about performance, retention, and long-term growth.
Yet, many organizations still overlook this, assuming that stress = productivity and hustle = results.
But the truth is:
✅ A happy team performs better.
✅ Toxic environments drive good people away.
✅ Negativity isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a barrier to success.
WHY Does Happiness at Work Matter
Studies show that when employees feel valued and motivated, they:
✔ Are 12% more productive than disengaged teams.
✔ Stay longer—reducing costly turnover.
✔ Drive innovation—because people do their best thinking in positive environments.
On the flip side, toxic workplaces lead to burnout, disengagement, and an exodus of top talent. People don’t leave jobs; they leave cultures that drain them.
WHAT Can Leaders Do to Foster Workplace Happiness
1️⃣ Redefine Success Beyond Hustle Culture – Long hours and constant stress don’t equate to high performance. A culture of psychological safety and appreciation does.
2️⃣ Create a Work Environment That Energizes, Not Drains – People thrive where they feel valued, supported, and empowered. Build a workplace where recognition, trust, and well-being are the norm.
3️⃣ Lead by Example – Happiness isn’t just an HR initiative; it starts at the top. Leaders who prioritize positivity and empathy create a ripple effect throughout the organization.
HOW Can You Start Implementing This
1️⃣ Audit Your Workplace Culture – Ask your team: What makes you excited to come to work? What drains your energy? Real change starts with real conversations.
2️⃣ Integrate Small, Impactful Changes – Recognition, flexibility, and psychological safety go a long way. Small shifts in culture create lasting impacts.
3️⃣ Empower Employees to Own Their Happiness – As Viviana Widjaja, ICF Professional Certified Coach, said, “You don’t need permission to be happy. And SMILE!” Happiness is a shared responsibility—leaders set the tone, but individuals bring it to life.
At the end of the day, the question isn’t “Can we afford to focus on happiness?”
It’s “Can we afford not to?”
Looking to build a happier workplace? We have two public programmes in April aimed to boost workplace positivity - “Orange Frog (Leading POSITIVE Results)” & “To Coach, Mentor, or Both!” Registration link and details as per link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2h74TTqMSEcT6jtP69IiXrtvTIFSwlkgVyhWwfDa_uTbOFA/viewform
Feel free to be in touch at customerservice@mq.com.my if you are looking for an in-house session for your company!
That’s the espresso, keep the momentum! ☕
Stay caffeinated & curious!
Koo Lily
l Founder of mq Training Coaching Consulting l
Leadership Coach l Change Facilitator l Speaker l
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