Employee productivity and employee satisfaction are linked, according to researchers. For the typical employee, productivity is more about attitude than aptitude or training.

The full video (about 12 minutes long) is available below, and also directly on YouTube:

Here’s what may be the most amazing highlight. It’s easy to see how this applies to employee productivity:

Only 25% of job successes are predicted by IQ. 75% of job successes are predicted by your optimism level, your social support and your ability to see stress as a challenge instead of as a threat.

Shawn Achor, the speaker, also discusses studies that are specifically tied to employee productivity:

Our brain works in the opposite order. If we can raise our level of positivity in the present, then our brain experiences a “happiness advantage.” Which means our brain at positive, performs significantly better than it does at negative, neutral, or stressed. Our intelligence rises, our creativity rises, our energy level rises. In fact, every single business outcome improves. Our brain at positive is 31% more productive than our brain at negative, neutral or stressed. We are 37% better at sales. Doctors are 19% faster, more accurate at coming up with a correct diagnosis when positive versus negative, neutral, or stressed.

Here on The Methodology Blog, we’ve devoted quite a few posts to connecting employee productivity and happiness.  Even if you’re a coffee shop barista, you can become engaged in the complexity of your work.  The same goes if you walk on a tightrope over a 3,000 foot drop without a safety line: being satisfied at work makes the all difference.

Company leaders want to increase employee productivity. But the question is, what will make workers want to achieve more and do so with increased efficiency? It’s time we recognize the secret to great work is engagement. That’s what makes the difference between people who just pass time at their desk and the truly committed employees. Productivity arises from satisfaction. Choose to be happy, grateful, and connected at work.