8 Signs of a Healthy Job

I had a client ask me the other day what a made a career a “dream career”? Great question, “dream” is a very powerful word, and it means different things to different people.
 
A dream career is being able to have meaningful work in your profession for an employer who respects you and invests in your potential (or being able to get that kind of work elsewhere whenever you need to).  
 
It all starts with where you work right now and how healthy your current job is for you.  It’s not something you likely stopped to think about as you were getting set up in your professional life.
 
But knowing what makes a job healthy for you is a very important, especially as we move forward into the “new normal” post-pandemic.
 
So, how is your relationship with your job?  Find out using these 8 signs of a healthy job:

• Open communication:  You should be comfortable talking about any issues that come up at work with your manager, from job enrichment and work load, to more serious issues, such as mental and physical health concerns linked to your job or financial concerns (with respect to your salary, or financial concerns you have about your organization). Remember, communication needs to go both ways to be effective and consistent communication is key to the health of any relationship.

• Trust: Honesty and integrity are core to trust, but it also means you feel safe and comfortable with your team, manager and organization.  You know they won’t intentionally hurt you (physically or emotionally) and they have your best interests in mind (as you do theirs). They also respect you enough to encourage you to follow your intuition in your work and career, supporting your development (including the learning that comes from the occasional failure).

• Professional Boundaries:  Healthy relationships are best described as interdependent, and work is no exception. Interdependence means you rely on each other for mutual support but still maintain your identity as a unique person. You know you have the support of your manager and organization, but your self-esteem doesn’t depend solely on your job (or the people you work with constantly affirming you). Although you’re there for this job in meaningful ways, you don’t depend on it to get all your needs met. You have loved ones and connections outside of work, and other interests you pursue, that have nothing to do with your job (or even your profession) to support your welfare and fulfillment.

• Mutual Interests:  You’re interested in your organization’s goals, and the “thought leadership” there. You want to support this company to evolve and grow into the best it can be. You’re not stuck on how this organization “…used to be when I first started here…” Your organization is capable of reciprocating your openness and interest, using your growing skills and the evolution of where you want to go in your career to provide a healthy work experience. 

• Time Apart:  All work and no play is a recipe for burn-out.  Spending time away from your job is key to keeping things healthy.  This includes moderating your working hours (because your organization supports your need for healthy balance) and taking regular vacations.  As in any relationship, if you are together for every waking hour, you will suffocate personally and professionally.  Take time to consistently enjoy your loved ones, hobbies, and other interests outside of work.  If taking time away from work is career limiting (or means you’ll never work yourself out of the back-log), know you don’t have a healthy relationship with your job.

• Share A Laugh:  Even at work it’s important to make time for fun and spontaneity when the time is right. If you can joke and laugh together with your manager and team mates, that’s a good sign. Sometimes work gets chaotic and impacts everyone’s mood, creating disconnection that can temporarily change the tone of your relationships at work and make it hard to relate to each other. Being able to share lighter moments helps to relieve tension, even briefly, and strengthens relationships at work in tough times.

• Teamwork:  You can depend on your team; you have each other’s back. You know you can turn to them when you’re struggling, and you’re always ready to offer support when they need you (even when you don’t see eye to eye on something or have different goals, priorities and personalities).

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• You Have Difficult Conversations:  Even in healthy relationships, there are disagreements, frustrations (even anger) with each other. This is human and normal; it doesn’t mean your relationship with your job (or the people there) is unhealthy.  It feels awkward and vulnerable, but taking the steps to have difficult conversations when needed keeps your relationships at work, and to your work, healthy.  When you can address conflict without judgment or contempt you find compromises and solutions that support a healthy working environment. 

 
Dream careers don’t just happen.  Just as with any worthwhile relationship, it’s something you have to work on every day.  No one’s career is perfect, but your career can be meaningful and contribute to your healthy lifestyle.

Not in a great relationship with your job?  I can help.

Book Today!