Workplace Attractors

1. Workplace Attractors Norman Amundson University of British Columbia Canada amundson@interchange.ubc.ca

3. Security • Financial rewards • Benefits • Physical safety • Position security

4. Location • Physical place (close to family / friends; an interesting place; convenient) • Aesthetics • Healthy workplace

5. Relationships • Interpersonal connections with co-workers, supervisors or managers, clients / customers, family and friends • Working alone or in groups

6. Recognition • Being associated with a company that has a good reputation • The expression of appreciation and value for work that is being done well

7. Contribution • Being engaged in meaningful work that is ethical, worthwhile and makes a difference • Sense of purpose and meaning

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Innovation • Building something new • Being able to create a vision and then work towards its implementation • Creativity, problem solving and pioneering effort

14. 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

15. Attractor Shifts • Changing values: age, gender, culture • Developmental changes: tipping point; role shifts; traumatic events

16. When Attractors Don’t Match • Questions About: Motivation, Work Ethic, Ambition, Commitment, Maturity, Stability, Depth, Self Esteem, Warmth, Decision Making, Creativity

17. 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.

18. Aligning Workplace Attractors • Career Guidance (Guiding Circles) • Mentorship • Coaching

19. New HR Tool: Workplace Attractor Questionnaire • Self Assessment • 40 Questions • Workplace Attraction Profile • Discussion with Others

20. The Three “R’s” • Readiness • Recruitment • Retention

21. 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

22. 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 Countries - Security / Location

23. 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 Relationships / Recognition

24. 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 Contribution / Work Fit

25. 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 Flexibility / Learning

26. 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 Responsibility / Innovation