Workplace Attractors

Norman Amundson

University of British Columbia Canada

amundson@interchange.ubc.ca

Security

• Financial rewards

• Benefits

• Physical safety

• Position security

Location

• Physical place (close to family / friends; an interesting place; convenient)

• Aesthetics

• Healthy workplace

Relationships

• Interpersonal connections with co-workers, supervisors or managers, clients / customers, family and friends

• Working alone or in groups

Recognition

• Being associated with a company that has a good reputation

• The expression of appreciation and value for work that is being done well

Contribution

• Being engaged in meaningful work that is ethical, worthwhile and makes a difference

• Sense of purpose and meaning

Work Fit

• Work that fits well with interests

• Work that is aligned with skills / talents

• Work that fits with personality

• Work that fits with values

Flexibility

• Work that allows time off for child care needs and health concerns

• Work that provides sufficient time for professional development

• The general fulfillment of greater life / work balance

Learning

• Provision for adequate training for doing the job

• The opportunity for intellectual stimulation and new learning

• Training and involvement in new and challenging activities where learning is maximized

Responsibility

• Having authority and autonomy to make decisions

• Working with minimal direction from others

• Being trusted to assume greater responsibility

• Being in a position to influence others

Innovation

• Building something new

• Being able to create a vision and then work towards its implementation

• Creativity, problem solving and pioneering effort

Chaos Theory: Emergent Work Attraction Patterns

From Predictability– Point attractor - goal setting– Pendulum attractor - a second option– Torus attractor - career/life stages

To Possibility– Strange attractor - uncertainty, unpredictability,

ongoing change

Attractor Shifts

• Changing values: age, gender, culture

• Developmental changes: tipping point; role shifts; traumatic events

When Attractors Don’t Match

• Questions About: Motivation, Work Ethic, Ambition,

Commitment, Maturity, Stability, Depth, Self Esteem, Warmth, Decision Making, Creativity

Exploring Workplace Attractors

• Review model. Meaning associated with the workplace attractors..

• Relative importance.

• Changes over time - past and future.

• Perspectives of family and friends.

• How will workplace attractors influence the career journey.

Aligning Workplace Attractors

• Career Guidance (Guiding Circles)

• Mentorship

• Coaching

New HR Tool: Workplace Attractor Questionnaire

• Self Assessment

• 40 Questions

• Workplace Attraction Profile

• Discussion with Others

The Three “R’s”

• Readiness

• Recruitment

• Retention

Establishing Readiness

• Employers– Be more proactive / take the first step– Collaborate– Shift expectations (tolerance)– Increase cultural awareness

• Workers– Improve life and career skills– Increase self awareness– Build self esteem

Countries - Security / Location

• Canada - 46• USA - 51• Denmark - 80• Sweden - 49• Greece - 21• N. Canada - 34

• Canada - 59• USA - 64• Denmark - 88• Sweden - 73• Greece - 65• N. Canada - 76

Relationships / Recognition

• Canada - 11• USA - 19• Denmark - 10• Sweden - 3• Greece - 16• N. Canada - 10

Canada - 53

USA - 70

Denmark - 33

Sweden - 35

Greece - 44

N. Canada - 52

Contribution / Work Fit

• Canada - 9• USA - 4• Denmark - 6• Sweden - 22• Greece - 16• N. Canada - 7

• Canada - 13• USA - 6• Denmark - 23• Sweden - 19• Greece - 15• N. Canada - 45

Flexibility / Learning

• Canada - 21• USA - 13• Denmark - 31• Sweden - 30• Greece - 26• N. Canada - 31

• Canada - 20• USA - 9• Denmark - 8• Sweden - 9• Greece - 10• N. Canada - 10

Responsibility / Innovation

• Canada - 27• USA - 43• Denmark - 9• Sweden - 14• Greece - 50• N. Canada - 3

• Canada - 40• USA - 21• Denmark - 13• Sweden - 46• Greece - 31• N. Canada - 31