How to Enhance Well-Being at Work 6 minute read Original content by The Myers-Briggs Company There is growing evidence that well-being, often called “happiness”, influences a wide range of life outcomes, including our health, relationships, occupational performance, creativity, collaboration, and income. A three year study by the Myers-Briggs Company investigated workplace well-being by personality type, the activities most effective for enhancing well-being, and the benefits for organizations fostering well-being for their employees. What is well-being? This well-being in the workplace study expands on the previous work of leading researchers, such as Martin Seligman and Ed Deiner who found positive well-being, or “flourishing,” is more than just feelings of happiness. Their most recent research shows workplace well-being comprises these factors: Positive Emotions – frequent feelings of happiness, contentment, pleasure Relationships – mutual feelings of caring, support, satisfaction Engagement – deep psychological connection and absorption in an activity or cause Meaning – having a sense of purpose and direction Accomplishment – pursuing success or mastery for its own sake Negative Emotions – low levels of anxiety, pessimism, depression work activities for well-being Participants rated the effectiveness of a wide range of activities for enhancing their well-being. Overall, the most effective activities used at work were: Focusing on work tasks that interest me Focusing on a work task that makes me feel positive Undertaking work where I learn something new Taking breaks at work when needed Undertaking challenging work that adds to my skills and knowledge While it is not surprising to find focusing on work tasks that make people feel positive to be one of the more effective ways to support well-being, the findings also highlight the importance of people having autonomy in their occupational roles to undertake work that fits their interests, engage in learning and have time to take breaks when needed. It also underscores the importance for individuals to take time to develop awareness of their intrinsic work interests and their development needs, so they can consistently source opportunities to learn throughout their careers. For employers and managers, it reinforces the importance of taking time to learn about their employees’ interests and development needs and create opportunities for employees to shape their work so it aligns with their interests and learning objectives. well-being outside of work The approaches and activities used outside of the workplace that were found to be the most effective for well-being were: Spending time with family or friends Listening to or playing music Reading Focusing on positives Exercising, playing sports, or going for walks While participants could select from a diverse range of approaches they use outside of their workplace, such as “adjusting expectations” and “playing video games”, the most effective activities were found to relate to positive experiences with family and friends, and engaging in activities, such as reading, exercise or music. It is well known that people have pursued these activities throughout human history and their relevance for well-being appears to be just as significant today. Of note, the internally self-directed approach of “focusing on positives” was one of the most effective strategies for well-being. This highlights a mental strategy that can be learned and practiced by anyone. Their research also examined the activities used both outside of work (general well-being tips) and at work (work well-being tips) that each MBTI type group reported as most effective for their well-being. Although several activities were found to be effective across multiple personality types, differences were also evident between them. The differences align with what would be expected for different dichotomies. For example, the Extraverted types tended to rate activities involving others as effective for their well-being, while some of the Introverted types rated activities that could be undertaken without other people as effective. Most effective activities for each of the 16 MBTI types ISTJ General well-being tips Reading Exercise Adjusting my expectations Work well-being tips When needed, help co-workers Undertake work where I learn something new Align my work goals with my career goals ENFP General well-being tips Reading Mindfulness techniques Meditation Work well-being tips Undertake work where I learn something new Invest time getting to know co-workers Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose ISFJ General well-being tips Reading Eating meals with others Adjusting my expectations Work well-being tips Align my work goals with my career goals Structure my work so I have flexible work hours Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose ENTP General well-being tips Adjusting my expectations Watching television Yoga Work well-being tips Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Align my work with my career goals Acknowledge recognition I receive for work INFJ General well-being tips Reading Adjusting my expectations Mindfulness techniques Work well-being tips Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Undertake work where I learn something new Remind myself of why my work matters ESTP General well-being tips Eating meals with others Reading spiritual literature Attending parties Work well-being tips Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Take meal breaks at work When needed, accept help from coworkers INTJ General well-being tips Exercise Eating meals with others Mindfulness techniques Work well-being tips Undertake work where I learn something new Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Manage my work to ensure I have leisure time ESFP General well-being tips Participating in my religious group Listening to or playing music Exercise Work well-being tips Invest time getting to know co-workers Manage my work to ensure I have leisure time Discuss positive work experiences with others ISTP General well-being tips Adjusting my expectations Mindfulness techniques Reading Work well-being tips When needed, help co-workers When needed, accept help from coworkers Remind myself of why my work matters ENFJ General well-being tips Eating meals with others Exercise Mindfulness techniques Work well-being tips Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Undertake work where I learn something new Remind myself of why my work matters ISFP General well-being tips Eating meals with others Reading Participating in my religious group Work well-being tips When needed, help co-workers Invest time getting to know my co-workers Manage my work to ensure I have leisure time ENTJ General well-being tips Reading Walking Listening to or playing music Work well-being tips Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Align my work goals with my career goals Invest time getting to know my co-workers INFP General well-being tips Mindfulness techniques Exercise Meditation Work well-being tips Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose Undertake work where I learn something new Structure my work so I have flexible work hours ESTJ General well-being tips Walking Listening to or playing music Watching television Work well-being tips Align my work with my career goals Undertake work where I learn something new When needed, help co-workers INTP General well-being tips Exercise Participating in my religious group Using stress management techniques Work well-being tips Undertake work where I learn something new Seek assignments that give me a sense of purpose When needed, help co-workers ESFJ General well-being tips Eating meals with others Reading Mindfulness techniques Work well-being tips Invest time getting to know my coworkers Align my work with my career goals Structure my work so I have flexible work hours Organizations wanting to improve productivity, creativity, profitability, cooperation, retention, and employee health, need to evaluate the well-being of their staff regularly. This will enable employers and employees to identify and collaborate on informed strategies that are the most effective for enhancing well-being in their workplace. It is also important for organizations to consider the findings of this well-being research to ensure they invest in strategies and approaches that have been found to be effective and avoid strategies which have limited or no evidence for supporting workplace well-being. Get MBTI Certified and learn to leverage the power of personality differences in your organization.
