Stepping on stage, these things matter…

Last week, I gave a keynote at the Solid Waste Association of North America. The topic hit home for so many in the room. But to have a topic hit home, any presentation needs these three ingrediencies:

Passion

I personally believe in creating environments where employees can thrive. That’s why the topic of workplace happiness is not only deeply meaningful to me, it’s something I strive to live every day.

We spend a significant part of our lives working, and I believe those hours should contribute to our well-being, growth, and sense of purpose. When you are personally invested in a topic, it shines through.

Authenticity

I do not go out and speak because I need recognition. I do it because I am an educator at heart. I want to help change lives. When people can feel your authenticity and know that you truly believe in the message you are sharing, it hits home.

Relevance

The most recent Gallup research shows that employee engagement remains at historically low levels. I recently wrote about my own research exploring why even highly engaged employees were not rating their workplace happiness a perfect 10. Inc. Magazine published my article, Why Perfect Work Happiness Is Rare Even for Happy Employees.

This topic is relevant, and it matters now more than ever. The audience held on to every word because this is something we are all experiencing. People are craving connection, meaning, and opportunities to grow. When we create workplaces that provide all three, we give people a greater opportunity to thrive.

Talk originally given Friday, October 2nd as the closing keynote at SWANA.