Nowadays, investing in young people should not just be a slogan, but the best strategy companies should adopt to grow, innovate and gain competitive advantages over their competitors. Regarding Consea Head Hunting‘s experience in managing recruitment processes with the younger generation, a certain rigidity shown by candidates is emerging, expressed especially in terms of demands related to hybrid working opportunities, career plans and business ethics. As a result, there is often a significant lack of motivation and engagement when faced with an offer that fails to detail or satisfy these aspects.
WHAT CAN ORGANIZATIONS DO?
To make themselves more attractive to the younger generation, companies should first of all understand what is actually being sought, and in this regard, there is an increasing emergence of the importance for young people being able to identify with company values in terms of sustainability (environmental, valuing diversity, inclusive approach and equity), ethics, training (with an important focus on soft skills, skills that can become an asset to the individual and not just a direct benefit to the company as is the case with technical skills), policies for investing in resourcesand sharing the expected goals and their consequent development plans envisaged not only in terms of vertical growth, but also about involvement in initiatives, task forces and projects aimed at the well-being of the internal community. Equally important seems to be the attention paid to the work-life balance, flexibility and wellbeing policies within the organization.
In terms of attraction and retention, an important role is played by the organization’s external communication as the new generations put great importance to the company’s website and its presence on social networks as well as, in general, its web reputation.
COMPANY AS COMMUNITY
This focus is symptomatic of the fact that nowadays the company is no longer considered a mere workplace, on the contrary, it increasingly constitutes a real community for new generations, who can appreciate opportunities of involvement that can allow them to come closer and share experiences with other employees belonging not only to different areas or functions, but also to different generations; of this a significant example could be reverse mentoring.
BETRAYAL OR OPENNESS TO CHANGE?
In conclusion, we can highlight one more peculiarity: increasingly, new generations are experiencing change as a development opportunity to enrich their skills and, therefore, the decision to leave one company for another should not be experienced as a betrayal; on the contrary, it would be much more functional for the organization to maintain relations with the resource who has changed reality by opting for a new context. This attitude could generate future opportunities for a new encounter and possible opportunities to reintegrate the resource, enriched by the new experiences gained in the meantime.
Human Resources in China: challenges brought by Covid-19 pandemic
Two and a half years after it started, the Covid-19 pandemic is still greatly impacting businesses in China at all levels. Especially the ‘zero-cases policy’ is creating increasing difficulties to individuals and businesses in the mid-long term. From HR perspective, for companies, especially foreign companies, one of the major concerns today is how to attract and retain international talents, considering the exodus of foreign nationals and the scarcity of new talents coming to China. In some specific industries, international competences are hardly replaceable by local workforce and the increased scarcity of foreign talents is creating many challenges. International businesses that provide internal rotations of international profiles now, find themselves having to look outside their own reality to overcome the difficulty of moving talents in China. The immediate effect is that businesses are willing to offer highly competitive salary to attract and retain international resources and others are turning to local employees to bridge the gap. The peculiarity of China job market challenges European companies in attracting and retaining local employees, as many are the job opportunities rising all at once. In addition, it is not easy to find qualified resources, particularly in terms of “soft skills”, “critical thinking” and “practical knowledge”; an issue present for several years but exacerbated in the last period due to the scarcity of international resources, which led businesses to look at the pool of local candidates. In the long run, this localization strategy of the team might significantly impact the management and communication between HQs and the China business. Both foreign and Chinese are unable to travel to HQ for information exchanges, networking, training, and sharing of expertise. The risks facing are the lack of diversity in the team, and the isolation of China operations. All these elements have led to an increase in the demand for international resources which is unbalanced with respect to the current market offer. Currently, businesses in China are monitoring the situation for their next moves, and we, Consea Group, with our team in Shanghai will keep a close eye on it for you. Authors: Gaia Ceccatelli - Country Manager China Chiara Altomonte - General Manager and Head of the Fashion & Retail division
Emotional intelligence: what is it and why it can change your life
Emotional Intelligence is the common thread in every project promoted by Consea Human Capital Consulting: we firmly believe in the effectiveness of this skill, which is now internationally recognized, both in the field of psychology and in business organization. The term emotional intelligence was first used in the 1980s by psychologist Howard Gardner, who introduced the concepts of inter-personal intelligence (which allows one to understand others' intentions and emotions) and intra-personal intelligence (i.e., the ability to understand one's own emotions and motivations). However, the concept of emotional intelligence was popularized and made famous by U.S. psychologist, author and science journalist Daniel Goleman, with the book "Emotional Intelligence: What It Is and Why It Can Make Us Happy": in this essay, the author explains how a good IQ is not enough to achieve success at work and well-being in life, as a mix of self-control, perseverance, empathy and attention to others contribute to the basis of our choices. The power of emotional intelligence Emotional intelligence is thus the ability to recognize and understand one's own and others' emotions, but also the ability to use this awareness to better manage one's own behaviours. Why can this change our lives and, to quote Goleman's words, make us happy? The answer is simple: emotions often get the better of us, sabotaging our chances of success at work and in life. With emotional intelligence, however, it is possible to prevent this from happening by learning to make decisions guided by common sense and self-awareness, rather than impulsivity and fear. By recognizing and training one's emotional intelligence, one first achieves greater mental serenity and thus greater well-being. Emotional intelligence between reason and emotionality Underlying emotional intelligence, we can find neuroscientific explanations. In fact, we must consider that everything we perceive through our senses travels inside our body by means of electrical signals, which pass from cell to cell until they reach our brain and, specifically, the limbic system, where emotions are born, to arrive, only later, to the frontal lobe, the seat of logical and rational thought. Analyzing this process, we easily conclude: even before we can rationally evaluate reality, we perceive it emotionally and react to external stimuli, first with our emotional center and then with our logical center. That is why sometimes, in moments of anger, it is difficult to control one's emotions, risking saying things that one does not really mean. In fact, in such cases, reason is hindered by emotions, which do not allow us to evaluate the information and thus choose the most appropriate reaction. We can therefore say, in a grand summary, that emotional intelligence is the skill that enables us to narrow the gap between emotionality and reason. Follow us to find out what emotional intelligence skills are and how they can impact the workplace.
Digital Transformation at the Top: Why Companies Need Leaders Fluent in AI and Innovation
Digital transformation is reshaping every sector of the global economy. While technology continues to evolve at extraordinary speed, meaningful transformation still depends on people. More specifically, it depends on leaders who can connect strategy with innovation and guide organizations toward new ways of working. AI is no longer a technical consideration but a fundamental leadership capability. Artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics are redefining how companies operate and compete. For most organizations, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt these technologies but how to embed them into decision making and long-term growth. This requires executives who are open to change and confident in navigating it. Leaders fluent in AI and innovation are becoming essential.
Why Digital Transformation Fails Without Leadership Buy-In
Many digital initiatives fail because they begin at the operational level without full alignment at the top. When executives see digitalization as a technical upgrade rather than a strategic evolution, progress becomes fragmented. Teams may introduce new tools or systems, yet the broader cultural and organizational shifts do not follow. Successful organizations take a different approach. They view digital transformation as a collective effort that depends on clarity of vision and the ability to bring people together. Leaders play a central role in explaining why change is needed, setting priorities, and supporting teams as they learn and adapt. Their involvement provides direction through uncertainty and helps build the trust required for innovation to take root.
The Business Risk of Executives Without Digital Expertise
As markets shift and new technologies accelerate, the cost of appointing leaders who lack digital fluency continues to rise. Executives are expected to interpret complex data, evaluate AI-driven insights, and make decisions in an environment where conditions change quickly. Without these capabilities, organizations struggle to respond effectively or anticipate what comes next. Business performance is not the only area affected. Companies without digitally aware leadership often face challenges in talent retention, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration. Opportunities to innovate are missed. Growth initiatives lose momentum. In response, many organizations are placing greater emphasis on AI executive hiring to ensure their leadership teams can transform emerging technologies into strategic advantage.
How Consea Identifies Leaders with Proven Innovation Credentials
At Consea Group, we understand that digital transformation requires leadership that is both visionary and practical. Our executive search and leadership consulting practices are designed to help clients identify professionals who can translate new technologies into meaningful business value. Our approach looks beyond technical experience. We focus on the qualities that support innovation and sustainable change. This includes the ability to set a clear direction, encourage collaboration, and create an environment where teams feel empowered to experiment and learn. We also evaluate how leaders approach uncertainty and how they guide others through periods of transition. By combining industry knowledge with behavioral insight, we help organizations identify leaders who bring integrity, adaptability, and a long-term mindset to digital transformation.
Securing Future-Ready Leadership
The organizations that thrive in the years ahead will be those led by individuals who are prepared for the future and understand that innovation is not a separate initiative but an essential part of business strategy. These leaders recognize that AI and data are reshaping every dimension of organizational performance and that the role of leadership is to create the conditions for progress. As transformation accelerates, the need for executives who are digitally fluent, strategic, and deeply people-focused will continue to grow. Consea Group partners with organizations worldwide to identify and develop the leaders who will shape the future of digital transformation.
Speak with our consultants to explore how Consea Group can help you identify leaders who are ready to guide your digital transformation journey.
Singapore’s Job Market: present challenges but positive outlook
Singapore continues to be a major regional hub for global businesses, with over 40,000 international firms, including 7,500+ multinational corporations (MNCs). Its strategic location, favorable business environment, and government efforts to attract global talent and innovation make it an attractive destination for businesses expanding into Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Economic Overview: Growth and Challenges In 2024, Singapore’s economy grew by 4.4%, driven primarily by the wholesale trade, finance, and insurance sectors. However, sectors like retail trade and food services contracted, partly due to shifts in consumer behavior, including more locals opting to travel abroad. The GDP growth forecast for 2025 is expected at 1.0% to 3.0%, with slower employment growth anticipated due to global uncertainties. Job Market Trends While overall job growth has been moderate, there is a notable increase in contract and replacement roles, especially in sectors like tech, financial services, supply chain, and support functions. This shift is driven by businesses focusing on agility and headcount management, opting for flexible staffing solutions. The manufacturing sector is expected to continue expanding in 2025, especially the Electronics cluster, along with Information & Communications, Finance and Insurance. On the other hand, the growth of consumer-facing sectors such as retail trade and food & beverage services is likely to remain lacklustre. Compensation and Talent Management Nominal incomes continued to increase, and at a pace faster than the preceding year. The nominal median gross monthly income of full-time employed residents grew from $5,197 in 2023 to $5,500 in 2024. In artificial intelligence (AI), annual salary increments are generally up to 5%; for employees moving between companies, the potential is for a higher 15% increase. This reflects the premium placed on skilled professionals in emerging fields. Companies are also placing a greater emphasis on total rewards, offering flexibility and comprehensive benefits to attract and retain talent in line with the growing desire for work-life balance and career flexibility. Employment Composition and Trends The unemployment rate remained stable at 1.9% in 2024, and retrenchments were primarily driven by business reorganization, rather than sector downturns. The share of Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians (PMETs) among employed residents reached over 60% in 2024. This is a result of higher educational attainment and a shift of resident workers toward more productive sectors, particularly in financial services, insurance, information and communications, and professional services. It is interesting to note that 59.3% of workers who transition into industries have experienced wage increases. This suggests a positive employment outcome for those changing career paths. Skilled Foreign Labor The number of Employment Pass (EP) holders, representing highly skilled foreign workers, increased from 193,700 in 2019 to 202,400 in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of S Pass holders, for mid-level skilled professionals, declined from 200,000 to 176,400. These shifts indicate Singapore’s preference for attracting highly skilled talent while maintaining a tight control over mid-level foreign workers, which is consistent with the broader trends of upgrading the workforce and improving productivity across sectors. Outlook for 2025 Despite global uncertainties, Singapore’s job market remains resilient. The demand for skilled talent continues to drive hiring, particularly in AI, data science, and other emerging technologies. Companies will increasingly rely on contract and flexible roles, and Singapore will remain a critical business hub in Asia, offering global companies and talent significant opportunities for growth. Follow Consea to stay updated on current job market trends worldwide! Sources: Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore, Press Release: MTI Maintains 2025 GDP Growth at “1.0 to 3.0 Per Cent”, 14/02/2025 Singapore Ministry of Manpower, Report: Labour Force in Singapore 2024 Incorp.asia, Why Should YOU set Up a regional HQ in Singapore? - 19/09/2024 https://www.incorp.asia/blogs/why-set-up-regional-hq-in-singapore/ Authors Valentina Meng, Recruitment Consultant & China Social Media Manager Matteo Scipioni Bertoli, Head of Business Development & Delivery APAC
Food & Beverage 2025: Strategic Skills for the Leadership of the Future
The agri-food sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological innovation, sustainability, and changing consumer habits. In this dynamic context, executive and managerial profiles must evolve to effectively lead companies toward success.
Emerging Trends and Leadership Implications
Events such as TUTTOFOOD Milan 2025 have highlighted the importance of key themes like sustainability, innovation, and internationalization. In particular, it became clear that growth depends on highly innovative products, more sustainable processes, and expansion into increasingly competitive international markets. These trends directly influence the skills required of those who lead companies.
Key Competencies for Leaders in the Sector
1. Systemic Thinking and a Sustainability Mindset
Integrating sustainable practices into business strategies is crucial. Leaders must be able to assess environmental, social, and regulatory impacts and translate them into actionable decisions. 2. Ability to Drive Innovation
Fostering the adoption of digital technologies, promoting cross-functional teams, and leveraging pilot projects are essential competencies to remain competitive. 3. Intercultural Leadership and International Expansion
With exports serving as a primary driver of growth, managerial leadership must be capable of operating in multicultural environments and managing global supply chains. 4. Agile Management and Data-Driven Thinking
Using data for demand forecasting, inventory management, and predictive marketing is now essential. Soft skills such as adaptability and critical thinking complement a strong data-driven culture. 5. Employer Branding and Talent Development
Attracting and retaining talent requires the ability to create inclusive, appealing work environments while maximizing the potential of internal teams.
The Role of the Head Hunter in This New Landscape
In this evolving scenario, the role of the head hunter is key to identifying and attracting talent with the necessary strategic competencies. Our mission is to support companies in selecting leaders capable of driving innovation, promoting sustainability, and successfully navigating global market challenges. Since, as mentioned, the food & beverage sector is constantly evolving, companies must adapt quickly to remain competitive. Identifying and integrating the right skills will be crucial to addressing future challenges and seizing the opportunities offered by the market.
How Economic Shifts Are Reshaping Demand for Executive Leadership
In today's volatile global economy, companies face a complex mix of inflationary pressures, fluctuating interest rates, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. These external forces are doing more than shaping financial markets; they are redefining what effective executive leadership looks like.
The Economic Impact on Executive Hiring
Periods of economic disruption often spark a recalibration of leadership priorities. In downturns, boards seek turnaround specialists with the resilience, operational discipline, and financial acumen to steer organizations through turbulence. When markets expand, the focus shifts toward innovation-driven executives who can capture emerging opportunities and scale growth efficiently. This cyclical pattern highlights the direct economic impact on executive hiring. Leadership needs no longer follow a static model; instead, they reflect broader shifts in market confidence, consumer behavior, and investment trends. Companies that anticipate these transitions and proactively align their leadership teams are best positioned to thrive in any climate.
Executive Hiring Strategies for a Changing Economy
The most successful organizations are rethinking traditional executive hiring strategies to adapt to today's dynamic environment. Rather than filling positions reactively, boards are emphasizing predictive leadership planning—identifying the skills and mindsets their organizations will need to navigate future challenges. Key trends shaping modern executive hiring include: Agility and transformation expertise: Leaders who can pivot quickly in response to shifting markets. Digital fluency: Executives who understand technology's role in driving competitive advantage.
Cross-functional leadership: Professionals who can unite operations, finance, and innovation under a shared strategic vision. At Consea Group , we help organizations design and execute executive hiring strategies that reflect both immediate priorities and long-term objectives. By tailoring search criteria to specific economic contexts, we ensure our clients attract leaders who not only fit the role but also anticipate what comes next.
Aligning Leadership with Market Realities
The right leadership at the right moment can be the difference between surviving and outperforming. Consea's adaptive executive search methodology focuses on the capabilities most critical to each phase of the business cycle. In uncertain markets: We identify leaders skilled in transformation, cost optimization, and cultural stabilization.
In recovery or growth periods: We target visionary executives who can accelerate innovation, drive digital transformation, and lead expansion into new markets. By continuously monitoring executive leadership demand across industries, Consea ensures organizations stay one step ahead, equipped with leaders who can navigate change and seize opportunity.
Building Resilience Through Strategic Leadership
Economic cycles may be unpredictable, but leadership strategy does not have to be. Companies that invest in forward-looking executive recruitment are more resilient, adaptable, and prepared to lead through uncertainty. Partner with Consea Group to ensure your organization has the leadership strength to remain competitive, no matter how the global economy shifts. Contact us to start your executive search.
Having clarified the importance of emotional intelligence, we can delve into its basic characteristics. Emotional intelligence is in fact composed of two main competencies: personal skills, namely self-awareness and self-control, which include the ability to recognize one's emotions and control one's behaviour
social skills, that is, social awareness and interpersonal relationships, which include the ability to recognize and understand others’ moods, motivations and behaviours. In more detail, the core skills attributable to emotional intelligence are: SELF-AWARENESS This is a fundamental skill for emotional intelligence because it underlies other skills: being aware means knowing one's nature, behaviours,and emotions, but also the events that trigger our emotional reactions. Being aware means having a clear and defined vision of one's potential and weaknesses: in this way, one has a better chance of pursuing the right opportunities, enhancing one's talents and preventing non-functional emotions from blocking us. Knowing ourselves offers us great opportunities: it allows us to learn to make predictions about how we will deal with the various situations that life throws us in our daily lives, thus being able to live more prepared for events, with the ability to be able to choose situations, behaviours and attitudes that are more functional for achieving our goals. SELF-CONTROL Self-control is closely related to self-awareness because it represents how we use that awareness to direct our behaviour. In fact, knowing one's tendencies and motivations but not acting to counteract or encourage them is tantamount to not being aware at all. If, on the other hand, one is able to control oneself, she/he can recognize the onset of a negative emotion and use rational thought to persuade oneself not to do or say what the emotion would prompt one to do or say. SOCIAL AWARENESS Social awareness is the ability to clearly perceive the emotional states of others and to understand exactly what is happening to them. This ability also involves understanding both what others are feeling or thinking and what our position is regarding their feelings or thoughts: do we share them or not? Do we think like them or not? The basic skills of social awareness are listening and observing, which enable one to shift attention from one's own thoughts to those of others. Those who can listen and observe, therefore, are able to change perspective and put themselves in others' shoes, being able to be more understanding, hence empathetic. MANAGING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Very often we don’t realize the impact our behaviour can have on others, and it is increasingly common to interact in life, but also on social media, with people who have little empathy and put their own needs ahead of those of others. The ability to manage interpersonal relationships makes it possible to build healthier and more peaceful relationships. Usually those with low emotional intelligence, in a moment of confrontation tend to avoid head to head or respond passively-aggressively to provocations, then venting on others the anger they cannot handle. Those with emotional intelligence, on the other hand, can avoid giving in to the temptation to attack the other person, and strive to understand him or her, rather than trying to defeat or humiliate him or her. Follow us to find out what emotional intelligence skills are and how they can impact the workplace.
Mental Health Awareness Month: A Call for Empathy in the Workplace and Beyond
May is internationally recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to bring attention to the vital importance of psychological well being. But beyond the public messages and official awareness events, mental health is something deeply personal that affects many people every day. Many individuals around us are silently navigating emotional and psychological challenges that are neither visible nor easily expressed. In professional environments especially, the emphasis on performance, composure, and productivity can inadvertently mask the internal experiences of employees and leaders alike. Behind composed demeanors may lie the weight of job insecurity, the quiet pain of personal loss, the stress of unmet expectations, or the anxiety brought on by an uncertain future. These are the unspoken struggles that surround us. It is important to recognize that not everyone has a support system to lean on. Some individuals function as their own sole source of strength. They manage households, careers, or personal transitions without external reinforcement. While independence is admirable, it is not always sustainable, and isolation can have compounding effects on mental health. The familiar phrase “Be kind, you do not know what a person is going through” resonates now more than ever. In recent years, many of us have experienced transformative events. Global disruption, personal grief, and professional setbacks have become part of our shared yet often unspoken experience. These moments have reshaped the emotional landscape of our communities. In this reality, small gestures take on profound meaning. A thoughtful message, a door held open, a sincere “How are you” may seem trivial, yet they have the power to offer comfort and restore connection at crucial times. This month is not only a reminder to prioritize mental health. It is a call to action. We are encouraged to lead with empathy, to foster cultures of psychological safety, and to remain mindful that behind every title and role is a human being who deserves care and understanding. Let us remember that compassion, attentiveness, and human connection are not distractions from productivity. They are essential to sustaining it. Julia Galloway, HRBP- North America
Satisfaction in the workplace: How does work affect our happiness?
A good atmosphere in the workplace, satisfying salary and interesting challenges undoubtedly affect the attractiveness of our professional life. But is it only professional? Work is an inseparable part of our life and has a huge impact on it. Our frequent profession defines us as a person. When asked "who are you?" we usually immediately mention our job title. Duties, relationships with employees, successes, but also failures penetrate into our private lives. It's hard to completely cut yourself off from what's going on in the workplace. That is why it is so important that what we do professionally gives us a sense of fulfillment and provides financial security.
How to achieve "wellbeing" in the workplace?
"Wellbeing" is defined as a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment of an employee. It is related to providing them with opportunities for development and safe working conditions. Additional benefits are an added value, but they will not replace the appropriate organizational culture of the company.
How to provide employees with comfort of work?
First of all, monitor their satisfaction and create an environment in which every employee will feel free to say what bothers them. Surveys or individual conversations of employees with the HR Manager can help with this. The next step is to implement appropriate action: these can be platforms providing consultations with a psychologist, organizing fitness classes (e.g. yoga) – activities, which can help the employee take their thoughts off the multitude of duties. Every company and its needs are different. Especially after the pandemic, which made the hybrid model a permanent feature of many organizations. It is important to match the right tool and use it to create a workplace that will make the employee satisfied.
Generation Y and Z – can they enjoy their work?
Rocketjobs.pl conducted research in Poland to check the importance of work in the respondent's life and whether it is also their passion. 52% of people declared that working is an important part of their lives, while 30% say that there are other more important things they focus on. The results are the same when it comes to perception of the profession as a passion – 52% treat their work in this way, and 30% of respondents do not include their job as a hobby. 6 out of 10 people say they are happy at work. While 1 out of 5 people feel – quite the opposite. The survey has also shown which aspects of working life are important for Generation Y and Z. The most important factors turned out to be: salary, flexible working time, development prospects, the possibility of remote work, work dynamics, prestige of work, and good relations with co-workers. It turns out that 51% of respondents from generation Z and 3 out of 5 respondents from generation Y are very satisfied with their level of salary. The younger the respondents, the more they valued flexible working hours and development prospects. Work dynamics, prestige of the profession and relationships with colleagues are equally important for the respondents – regardless of their age. The employees were also asked about the reason for choosing a job and the most important thing for them is still the salary. Nowadays, this should not surprise us at all: inflation makes people want to feel financially secured. Additional benefits take a back seat – employees definitely prefer a larger payment than a gym membership. However, this does not mean, that other things – such as a good atmosphere and appropriate organizational culture – should be neglected. If they are at a low level, the employee without remorse will go to the competition.
What is "gainful employment"?
"Gainful employment" is a situation in which the employee is materially self-sufficient thanks to their earnings. They are able to cover all needs (paying for housing, food, healthcare, but also education, culture, etc.), and thus derive full satisfaction from life. In order for an employee to strive for such a state, they should have access to: Courses and education – having skills that are in demand in the labor market will allow one to develop professionally and, as a result, receive a promotion.
Professional experience – this includes apprenticeships, internships, volunteering, i.e. everything that will allow someone to learn new things.
Network of contacts – being active in social media and participating in fairs, conferences, interesting events.
CV – an up-to-date document that presents our current skills. Before the recruitment interview, it is also good to get to know employer's profile.
Job search "out of the box" – it is nice sometimes to get out of the comfort zone and in addition to the standard application on the Internet, make direct contact with recruiters using LinkedIn.
Summary
One’s profession does not have to be life’s greatest passion, but it is important to approach one’s duties with a motivation. This is important, not only from the point of view of the employee themself, but also for the employer. A company that provides its people with appropriate development conditions and attractive salary has a better chance of keeping a good employee for a long time. However, research has shown that not everyone feels happy in the workplace – this is important information for many organizations in the labor market. Employers can reliably check whether their employees feel good and implement the necessary solutions. It turns out that it is the youngest, (generation Z), that forces employers to make the most changes. Representatives of this generation are confident and openly signal what they disagree. They suggest to employers what they would like to improve or achieve. If they don't get it, they change jobs without any regrets. Gen Z doesn't want to waste time on something that doesn't bring them satisfaction. They also emphasize the so-called „work-life balance” – a sense of peace and disconnection from professional matters after working hours is extremely important to Generation Z. Every person strives to achieve happiness - for everyone it has a different meaning but work is an inseparable element of everyone’s lifes and it is important to take care of fulfillment there also. Follow Consea Group on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest news about well-being in the workplace. Authors: Iga Paszkiewicz - Recruitment Consultant Consea Executive Search, Poland Read the article in Polish:
Jak praca wpływa na nasze poczucie szczęścia?
Dobra atmosfera w miejscu pracy, satysfakcjonujące wynagrodzenie oraz ciekawe wyzwania niewątpliwie wpływają na atrakcyjność naszego życia zawodowego. Ale czy tylko zawodowego? Praca jest nieodłączną częścią naszego życia i ma na nie ogromny wpływ. Często wykonywany przez nas zawód definiuje nas jako osobę. Na pytanie „kim jesteś?” zazwyczaj od razu wspominamy o naszej profesji. Dopiero potem pojawiają się kolejne elementy i cechy, które nas opisują. Obowiązki, relacje z pracownikami, sukcesy, ale i porażki przenikają do naszego prywatnego życia. Ciężko jest całkowicie odciąć się od tego, co dzieje się w miejscu pracy. Dlatego tak ważne jest, by to, co robimy sprawiało nam przyjemność, poczucie spełnienia oraz zapewniało bezpieczeństwo finansowe.
Jak osiągnąć „wellbeing” w miejscu pracy?
„Wellbeing” definiujemy jako poczucie zadowolenia i spełnienia pracownika. Jest ono związane z zapewnieniem mu możliwości rozwoju oraz bezpiecznych warunków pracy. Dodatkowe benefity czy tzw. „owocowe czwartki” to wartość dodana, ale nie zastąpią pracownikowi odpowiedniej kultury organizacyjnej firmy. Jak zapewnić pracownikom komfort pracy? Przede wszystkim monitorować jego zadowolenie oraz kreować środowisko, w którym każdy zatrudniony będzie czuł się swobodnie, by powiedzieć, co mu nie odpowiada. Mogą w tym pomóc ankiety, badania lub indywidualne rozmowy pracowników z HR Managerem. Następnym krokiem jest wdrożenie odpowiedniego działania: mogą to być platformy zapewniające konsultacje z psychologiem, zorganizowanie krótkich zajęć (np. joga), które pomogą pracownikowi oderwać swoje myśli od natłoku obowiązków. Każda firma i jej potrzeby są inne. Zwłaszcza po pandemii, która sprawiła, że model hybrydowy zagościł na stałe w wielu organizacjach. Ważne, by dopasować odpowiednie narzędzie i za jego pomocą kreować miejsce pracy, które sprawi, że pracownik będzie czuł się w nim spełniony.
Pokolenie Y i Z – czy potrafią cieszyć się z pracy?
Rocketjobs.pl przeprowadziło badania, które miały na celu sprawdzić, jak ważna jest praca w życiu respondenta i czy jest ona również jego pasją. 52% osób zadeklarowało, że praca stanowi istotną część ich życia, 30% twierdzi, że są inne ważniejsze rzeczy, na których się skupiają. Podobnie było w kwestii postrzegania zawodu jako pasji – 52% właśnie w taki sposób traktuje swoją pracę, a 30% ankietowanych nie zalicza swojej profesji do hobby. 6 z 10 osób twierdzi, że jest w pracy szczęśliwa. 1 z 5 osób – wręcz odwrotnie. W badaniach zbadano również, jakie aspekty związane z życiem zawodowym są ważne dla przedstawicieli generacji Y i Z. Najważniejsze okazały się: poziom wynagrodzenia, elastyczny czas pracy, perspektywy rozwoju, możliwość pracy zdalnej, odpowiadająca dynamika pracy, prestiż wykonywanej pracy, dobre relacje ze współpracownikami. Okazuje się, że 51% ankietowych z pokolenia Z oraz 3 z 5 badanych z pokolenia Y jest bardzo zadowolonych z poziomu wynagrodzenia. Im młodsi są ankietowani, tym bardziej cenią sobie elastyczny czas pracy oraz perspektywy rozwoju. Dynamika pracy, prestiż wykonywanego zawodu oraz relacje ze współpracownikami są ważne w podobnym stopniu dla badanych osób – niezależnie od ich wieku. Badanych pytano również o powód wyboru pracy i najważniejsza dla nich jest nadal wysokość wynagrodzenia. W obecnych czasach absolutnie nie powinno nas to dziwić. Inflacja powoduje, że każdy z nas chciałby czuć się zabezpieczony finansowo. Dodatkowe benefity schodzą wtedy na drugi plan – pracownicy zdecydowanie bardziej wolą większą wypłatę niż karnet sportowy. Nie oznacza to jednak, że inne kwestie – takie, jak dobra atmosfera oraz odpowiednia kultura organizacyjna powinny być zaniedbane. Jeśli są one na niskim poziomie, pracownik bez wyrzutów sumienia przejdzie do konkurencji.
Czym jest „gainfull employment”?
„Gainfull employment” to sytuacja, w której pracownik dzięki swoim zarobkom jest samowystarczalny materialnie. Jest on w stanie pokryć wszystkie potrzeby (opłacenie mieszkania, żywności, opieki zdrowotnej, ale i edukacji, kultury), a co za tym idzie czerpać pełną satysfakcję z życia. Aby pracownik dążył do takiego stanu, powinien mieć dostęp do: Kursów i edukacji – posiadanie umiejętności, które są pożądane na rynku pracy pozwolą na rozwój zawodowy, a w rezultacie otrzymanie awansu.
Doświadczenie zawodowe – zaliczamy do tego praktyki, staż, wolontariat, czyli wszystko, co pozwoli nam na naukę nowych rzeczy.
Sieć kontaktów – bycie aktywnym w social mediach oraz uczestniczenie w targach, konferencjach, ciekawych eventach.
Odpowiednie CV – aktualny dokument, który przedstawia nasze dotychczasowe umiejętności. Przed rozmową rekrutacyjną warto również zapoznać się z profilem pracodawcy.
Poszukiwanie pracy „out of the box” – warto czasami wyjść ze strefy komfortu i oprócz standardowego aplikowania w Internecie, można zadbać o bezpośredni kontakt z rekruterami za pomocą LinkedIn.
Wnioski
Nasz zawód nie musi być naszą największą pasją, ale ważne, by z chęcią i dużą dawką motywacji podchodzić do swoich obowiązków. Jest to ważne nie tylko z punktu widzenia samego pracownika, ale też pracodawcy. Firma, która zapewnia swoim ludziom odpowiednie warunki rozwoju, atrakcyjne wynagrodzenie oraz poczucie sprawczości na danym stanowisku, ma większą szansę na zatrzymanie u siebie dobrego pracownika. Badania pokazały jednak, że nie wszyscy odczuwają szczęście w miejscu zatrudnienia. To ważna informacja dla wielu organizacji na rynku pracy. Mogą one w rzetelny sposób sprawdzić czy ich pracownicy czują się dobrze i wdrożyć niezbędne rozwiązania, gdyby badania okazały się być mało optymistyczne. Okazuje się, że to najmłodsi, czyli generacja Z wymusza na pracodawcach najwięcej zmian. Przedstawiciele tej generacji są pewni siebie i otwarcie sygnalizują to, z czym się nie zgadzają. Sugerują pracodawcom to, co chcieliby usprawnić lub uzyskać. Jeśli tego nie otrzymują, bez mrugnięcia okiem zmieniają pracę. Nie chcą tracić czasu na coś, co nie przynosi im satysfakcji. Podkreślają również tzw. work-life balance – poczucie spokoju i odcięcia się od spraw zawodowych po godzinach pracy jest dla nich niezwykle ważne. Podsumowując, każdy człowiek dąży do osiągnięcia szczęścia. Dla każdego z nas ma ono inną definicję, ale praca to nieodłączny element naszego życia i warto, by zadbać o nasze spełnienie również tam.
It is very difficult for people working remotely to maintain a work-life balance. As many as 39% of employees admitted that their mental health has suffered as a result of the pandemic (research conducted by Devire). The biggest problems for employees are the feeling of isolation, monotony, uncertainty, stress. A big shock was the complete change in the mode of work – suddenly we stopped going to offices and were locked in houses (often in a small space that had to become our workplace).
Problems related to remote work
What bothered us most often? Definitely, the lack of work-life balance. It was difficult for the employees to organize their day in an effective way. The responsibilities related to the house took up our time and as a result there were tasks that we had to catch up after "leaving work" (in this case, leaving the room where we put the desk). Communication between employees was also difficult. As many as 35% did not have the opportunity to exchange knowledge with a colleague. There is also disinformation (35%), and 20% of respondents point to the lack of efficient flow of information with the boss.
Isolation and loneliness
A sense of seclusion is another important aspect. Locked in the house, we were not able to change the environment. The only way was to go for a walk with the dog (which at one point was the ONLY LEGAL possibility to leave the apartment). Nor can we forget that workers have been isolated from the rest of society together with their families, and this has also been tiring in the long run. Constant attempts to adapt their schedules (meetings) to children's online classes gave rise to conflicts – especially during the first weeks of lockdown. All this caused a lot of emotions that were difficult to cope with. Each of us faced uncertainty. Every day we asked ourselves questions: What's next? How long will it take? Will my position not be abolished? 2 out of 5 employees admitted that their mental health had been significantly affected – 49% of women and 32% of men. They were mainly young people (18-25 years old). Employees over 55 years of age, thanks to their many years of experience, have coped much better with the effects of the pandemic.
How to take care of employees’ motivation?
The most important thing is to pay attention to the differences between employees. Each of us has different needs, and this is often due to our age range. Generational difference is an important aspect that managers need to pay attention to. For example, younger people pay attention to the company's profile. For baby boomers and X generation stability is the most important.
Employees’ mental health
The productivity of each employee is largely due to mental balance, which as a result of the pandemic has unfortunately been severely disturbed. The task of the team leader is to detect the problem, build a strategy and try to eliminate it. For each of us, discipline and clearly set goals are important at work. On the other hand, it is important to have freedom in action and the trust of our boss. In a tricky situation, the employee should know who to go to for help and advice. The organization should also create a culture that emphasizes the preservation of the already mentioned work-life balance. It is important that employees are taught to organize their work well – as a result, they will not have to spend the night to finish an important project. Each stage of the task will have its own deadline. Motivation means also benefits – not only financial ones. The attractiveness of a given position and company itself is influenced by the possibility of development (interesting offers of trainings and workshops). Employees are always looking for a way to gain knowledge, and a good leader should provide them with the best possible access to acquire new skills. Another important aspect is building an integrated community and this is possible – even when working remotely. "Virtual coffees" are a good way to get to know your team members better and a nice way to spend time while working.
What is going to happen next?
The restrictions have long been lifted – even though the virus is still in the air. Many companies have not returned to the traditional mode of work and there are many indications that remote work will stay with us for good. Saving on renting office space is one thing. The second reason is the lack of enthusiasm of employees at the news of the return to stationary mode of work. As many as 61% of respondents want to work from home! We got used to not rushing in the morning to make it to the bus. We do not have to deal with the traffic. Consea and its Consulting Department aim to lead companies and help them implement a culture of attention to issues such as work-life balance or promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies. We strongly believe that this goal has such a positive impact on the high level of motivation and productivity of employees working for organizations that have trusted us. Authors: Iga Paszkiewicz - Recruitment Consultant w Consea Executive Search
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