Did you see it? Right there in the January 27th, 2010 edition of The Wall Street Journal no less. The article: Thinking Happy Thoughts at Work.
The theme of the article was that there is a new trend in American business. It’s bringing “happiness coaches” in to the workplace to improve the environment and morale. It’s all about positive psychology and the effects that this emerging emphasis can have on business. Of course it’s also all about the right brain and the effects that it can have in the workplace because positive psychology is actually right brain based.
It is the right brain that is the optimist. The left-brain is the analyst and the critic. The left brain is the “kill joy.” And for too long the left-brain has dominated not only the accounting department but has permeated entire organizations.
The research is plentiful and convincing. A positive, happy work environment leads to greater employee satisfaction which is, of course, the number one variable in customer satisfaction and everyone knows that drops the bottom line. Happy, positive workers have less absenteeism which means greater productivity and everyone knows that drops the bottom line. A right brain influenced workplace is more creative, which means there is better problem solving and everyone knows that drops the bottom line.
So let’s celebrate the burgeoning RightBrain Revolution and its entrance into the workplace. We’ll have happier, healthier and more content employees and greater productivity and profitability. Now what’s not to like about that?