Happiness at work requires good relationships, purpose, and vision

People used to believe that you didn't have to be happy at work in order to succeed. According to research, this is bunk. Here is why.

It’s time to finally blow up the myth that feelings don’t matter at work. Science is on our side; there are clear neurological links between feelings, thoughts and actions. To be fully engaged and happy at work, people overwhelmingly say that they want three things:

1 A meaningful vision of the future People want to be able to see the future and know how they fit in. Sadly, far too many leaders don’t paint a very compelling vision of the future, they don’t try to link it to people’s personal visions and they don’t communicate well. And they lose people as a result.

2 A sense of purpose People want to feel as if their work matters, and that their contributions help to achieve something really important. They want to know that they – and their organisations – are doing something big that matters to other people.

3 Great relationships We know that people join an organisation and leave a boss. A dissonant relationship with one's boss is downright painful. So too are bad relationships with colleagues. Leaders, managers and employees tend to say that close, trusting and supportive relationships are hugely important to their state of mind – and their willingness contribute to a team. – Copyright Harvard Business Review 2014