The Secret to Success and Happiness in the Workplace

Introduction

What is the real secret to success? And how does workplace happiness relate to professional success? In a comprehensive survey with 1,440 Fortune China readers, we explored the key factors behind the success and happiness of Chinese managers.

The Formula for Success and Happiness

Based on research in corporate psychology, success can be boiled down to a formula: Success = Willingness × Ability × Match. This formula shows that success is not only about professional achievements or wealth accumulation but also about living a balanced and fulfilling life.

Our study found that both success and happiness are highly correlated with a manager's values, motivations, and behavior style. We uncovered significant patterns in the lives of top executives and professionals in China, revealing the key ingredients to achieving both success and happiness.

The Values of Successful People

Values are the belief systems that guide our decisions and influence our behavior. In our survey, Chinese managers collectively placed a high value on teamwork, trust, work-life balance, respect, and efficiency. However, we also noticed differences in values across four distinct regions:

• A region executives emphasized innovation as a key value, noting that constant change is essential to success and security.
• Both A and C region high-achievers valued passion, echoing sentiments from global leaders like Jack Welch who identified passion as a core quality of successful people.
• B region, which had lower income but higher happiness, prioritized work-life balance, linking happiness more with family life than professional success.
• D region 'low performers' focused on process and systems rather than innovation, with a tendency to maintain the status quo rather than lead change.

The Inner Drive of Success

Motivation plays a crucial role in driving success. Our research showed that high achievers are often goal-oriented and driven by financial rewards without guilt. They have a clear direction, focusing on achieving results and staying motivated by setting ambitious targets.

A key finding was that successful individuals have the ability to both see the big picture and pay attention to detail. They balance the need for high-level strategy with meticulous execution, ensuring that they achieve their goals efficiently.

Behavior Styles of Successful People

Our DISC behavior style assessment revealed that high-performing individuals tend to have strong dominant traits, meaning they are decisive and focused on driving change. In contrast, lower-performing individuals showed a higher preference for stability and avoidance of conflict.

Successful people are also emotionally intelligent. They leverage their emotions—both passion and anger—to motivate themselves and remove obstacles, turning these emotions into tools for personal growth and career advancement.

Happiness and Success: The Final Secret

Our research found that success alone does not guarantee happiness. Only one in four Chinese managers considered themselves happy. Interestingly, happiness levels were influenced by factors such as gender, education level, age, and job position.

• Men and women had nearly identical happiness levels, with men scoring 6.1 and women 6.0 on a 10-point scale.
• Higher education correlated with greater happiness, with PhDs being the happiest at 6.93, compared to those without a bachelor's degree, who scored 5.76.
• Older individuals tended to be happier, with those over 40 scoring 6.34, compared to younger employees who scored 5.78.
• Interestingly, senior executives like directors and chief engineers were the happiest, while CEOs and board chairs had lower happiness levels.

Conclusion: The Secret Formula to Success and Happiness

True success lies not just in professional achievement but also in personal happiness. Our findings suggest that to achieve both, individuals must understand their values, motivations, and behavior styles. Leaders who focus on creating balanced, fulfilling lives for themselves and their teams are more likely to find long-term success and satisfaction.

The secret formula to success and happiness? Know yourself, align your goals with your values, and embrace emotional intelligence in all aspects of your life.