DESIGNATIONS GET FANCY IN THE START UP WORLD
A recent study shows that four out of five workers feel that workplace happiness is vital, this is why focus has been shifted to improving the well-being of workers. A happy team is a highly productive team.
One of the avant-garde waves to catch up with the 21st century is the invention of the title of “Chief Happiness Officer” in the workscape. The concept of a Chief Happiness Officer debuted at the famous Silicon Valley, USA. But before they find their way to the office environment, individuals in charge of happiness have made giant marks in countries such as Bhutan. The Bhutanese attribute their growth to one factor- happiness. Happiness is contagious and a chief happiness believes that he/she can spread happiness among her team.
Chief happiness officer is out to change the concept of “micromanagement”- most employees hate being instructed on what to do and what not to do.
Gone are the days when the notion of hiring a professional in charge of happiness was received with raised brows. Thankfully, tales of happiness managers in work places have swept America and Europe. Chief Happiness Officers motivate workers to do what makes them fulfilled within specific guidelines. He/she also ensures that employees feel respected, listened to and given the freedom to be productive.
The Chief Happiness Officer is an angel in disguise to the CEO of a company. How, you may ask? The CHO saves the manager the stress associated with hiring, training and firing. When employees are impressed with their jobs, there is a lower probability that they might want to resign.
Despite the pros that hiring a CHO brings, there is still a school of thought that believes that having a CHO is bad for your company. This school of thought believes that the concept of allowing a professional influence a worker’s happiness is invasion of privacy. What this means is that no one has the right to intrude into the employee’s private life regardless of what the goal may be- happiness in this case.
While the above anti-CHO school of thought may strike a chord, we must applaud companies who are bending backwards to make certain that their employees are happy. If you are still not convinced about why a Chief Happiness Officer might be the next best thing for your firm, we’ll walk you through reasons why they are important.
CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER- WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Quitting of jobs is at an all-time high, and this can be attributed to a number of factors. One of the reasons why workers abandon their jobs is because they are unhappy with it. Many of us who found ourselves in 9-5 jobs, have fully resigned to believe that it is normal for us to be dissatisfied with the kind of work we do. What’s worse? For those who find themselves in giant companies, it is a common belief that nothing can be done or demanded to change unhealthy working conditions.
In real life, many organizations go the extra mile to make sure their workers are happy and feel satisfied with the work they do. But like every other task in life, it is not an easy one.
There is a popular saying that goes “no one cannot make you happy’. Whoever said that has not encountered a Chief Happiness Officer. Chief happiness officer is that one person in the organization that ensures that every employee stays happy. The importance of a chief happiness can never be overstated. They are important because they give every worker the chance to maximize their work potentials.
Most brands hire happiness officer because happiness and productivity at the workplace are twins. A study carried out by researchers at the University of Warwick showed that happy workers are 12% more productive than their less happy counterparts.
One of the ways by which a Chief Happiness Officer access the wellbeing of the members of staff is by conducting surveys that measure how contended the workers are. He/ she also carries out workshops to train employees as well as rating the workplace atmosphere.
Chief Happiness Officers make sure that the equilibrium between a worker’s personal and professional life is maintained.
SKILLS POSSESSED BY THE CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER
• Strong listening skills
• Powerful initiative skills
• Excellent creative skills which enables them revamp the design of their workplace
• Conflict resolution

Oftentimes, people mistake chief happiness officers for HR managers. HR managers interact with the staff on a surface level while a chief happiness officer’s function goes deeper. A chief officer is a coach who does not apportion blame to workers when something is amiss. It is expected that the officer in charge of happiness checks on each and every employee, knowing how they are faring and giving them listening ears when the need arises.
The happiness officer is that channel by which the staff reports any issue they are uncomfortable with to their superiors.
WHAT COMPANIES HAVE A CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER?
Chief Happiness Officers are tucked in a plethora of colossal corporations, take for example Google. Though Chief Happiness Officers have become increasingly popular in large firms, the truth is they will be more helpful to startups. Here’s why; as your brand begins to grow, one of the challenges it will face will be keeping the teams motivated and ensuring that they understand each other. Most companies hit rock bottom because they are unable to identify loopholes such long-term emotional distress until it is too late.
Also, managers who hire remote teams need to have a happiness officer because your employees might need motivation as the days roll by. Members of team need someone to open up to when they hit a “block”.
WHAT DOES A CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER DO?
Apart from being an empath who is also passionate about the goals and aspirations of a company, a Chief Happiness Officer must be a happy person. After all, you cannot give what you have never had. In addition, a person who is to take on the role of being chief happiness officer has to be full of life and energy. However, the job comes with its challenges as people might sometimes feel you are weird for prying. It gets better.
Being a CHO does not go to say that you’ll be a jester or a barrel of laughter. There’s more to the job than big, wide grins.
These are some of the functions that happiness functions in every organization performs;
Ensuring that workers feel appreciated
One of the strengths of a CHO is to harvest the best in every employee.
Worldwide research states that approximately 44% of workers claim that they feel respected by their employer. A happiness officer is here to change the statistics. Appreciation is a pivotal element of a healthy working relationship.
Every employee is first a human, before a professional. A chief happiness goes all the way to ensure that every member of staff feels recognized and respected. He/she recognizes that workers are emotional beings, so it is only necessary to make sure that they stay happy at all times. An employee who feels valued will be willing to do more at his workplace.
Employees are always grateful when they know that someone has their best interest at heart.
Making sure that basic principles are maintained
Nothing motivates workers more than receiving their salaries as at when due. In addition, working under healthy conditions makes employees fulfilled. This is where chief happiness officers come to play. They ensure that salaries are paid early.
Give listening ears to employees
As a chief happiness officer, you are both the ear and mouthpiece of the organization. To encourage low turnover sometimes, all employees need is to be heard. The CHO is the go-between the CEO and the staff. Every worker feels happy knowing that there is someone out there who listens to them and conveys every information via the right channels.
Bringing company values to the forefront
Every company has values that binds them. Company values are the bedrock of any organization, binding your brand’s image with your company culture. Irrespective of the fact that company values are written on paper, every organization needs someone to enact these principles. A chief happiness offer is in charge of recruiting people whose values match with that of the company.
Boost growth
The goal of every startup is to grow with time. For your business to grow, you need someone who can see the bigger picture and believe in your team. The chief happiness officer is someone who believes in the growth of your employees, and he/she goes beyond to ensure that your team snags more opportunities and harness their strengths.
Takes care of workers
The CHO alleviates burden. When you have one in your workspace, you are reminded of taking a break or encouraged to look away from your computer screen.
Follow up
It is not enough to start a happiness crusade because humans are likely to fall back to negative emotional states after some time. The CHO does follow up from time to time to ensure that the private and professional wellbeing of the staff is top-notch.