Good indicators of happiness can generate financial gains.
Thus, in the kingdom of Bhutan (Asia), since the king Jigme Singye Wangchuck took office in 1972(Dragon King), this system was introduced to measure the degree of happiness of the nation, along with the GDP (gross domestic product) established as the main indicator since the Second World War. 10 years later, after an interview with the Financial Times, this issue caught the attention of several researchers.
Why measure a country's happiness?
Because it is believed that balance, health and happiness are the best that can be given to a nation.
To what extent can and should this indicator be adapted to companies?
In companies, the success rate is measured in most cases by the financial value. However, today we know that it is neither sufficient nor corresponds to the value of human success in reality. It is perhaps more than the financial value, to understand the advantages of happiness in the success of a company. Companies need happy people.
It is important because it has already been realized that happiness can generate financial gains.
How to implement and measure GNH?
This system can be implemented in 9 dimensions and based on 80 questions.
This model is inspiring and can be measured through:
- Economic well-being (salary below or above average)
- Environmental well-being (comfortable and healthy workplace)
- Physical health (well-being: gymnastics, ergonomics)
- Mental health (team relaxed or under stress?)
- Job satisfaction (love of work. What to do to improve?)
- Social happiness (mutual respect between people)
- Political well-being (are people heard? Does company policy only prioritize financial gain? What to do to change?)
The 80 questions are distributed in the 9 dimensions and the measurement is of a quantitative type, with the possibility of answers between Yes and No. The quantity of positive answers gives the degree of gross internal happiness of the company. The more positive responses there are, the better and higher the company's happiness index.
What are the advantages of having happier people in companies?
Companies reduce costs in selection and recruitment, become more innovative, more creative, inspiring, have more productivity, they have a better performance and better salaries, it presents more solutions and new ideas, reduces the rate of absenteeism and illness, increases the motivation of their employees. As a result, this translates into financial gains.
GNH can also be adapted to the wider social community.
Apparently, GNH seems to ignore financial profit, but this is not the case, because the intention is precisely to do the opposite. The intention is to convert happiness into financial gain and vice versa. However, this is only possible if it is a general priority of the company, of all employees, starting from the top of the pyramid to the bottom. That is creating value.
The United Nations reports annually on each country's happiness index by analysing and measuring other life factors such as happiness, freedom, education and income.
Do you think you can implement or propose this system in your company?