Page 196 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times
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Job Enrichment and Professional Growth  C183

        :   “LUCKY TO BE DOING THIS WORK”


        If we’ve learned anything from our studies of outstanding workplaces,
        it is this: they do a remarkable job of helping employees love not just
        the workplace but the work itself. In fact, one of the most common
        comments we heard from employees at Best-Places-to-Work employers
        was, “I can’t believe I have this job. I just love coming to work.”
           These are more than just statements—they are exclamations of
        genuine gratitude mixed with surprise and confidence. Why do these
        ordinary, just-like-you-and-me employees love their jobs so much?
        The research led us to this clear conclusion:

         :
             In many cases, their employers have carefully placed these
             employees into jobs that fit their talents and abilities and
             give them ongoing opportunities to grow and develop.




           Let’s look at what our statistical survey analysis tells us about the
        differences between winners and nonwinners on this driver—job en-
        richment and the opportunity for professional growth/learning. The
        results, as usual, show marked differences in levels of engagement.



        :   UNIVERSAL ENGAGEMENT DRIVER: JOB ENRICHMENT AND
            PROFESSIONAL GROWTH


        This driver is rooted in the following three statements that were
        among the top survey items that most sharply differentiated winning
        from nonwinning employers, as Figures 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 indicate: “I
        know how I fit into the organization’s future plans” (ranked #2), “I find
        my job interesting and challenging” (ranked #6), and “I see professional
        growth and career development opportunities for myself in this organiza-
        tion.” (ranked #14)
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