What Drives Job Satisfaction?
Many of the reasons Fournier loves her unconventional work are actually conventional, at least according to career satisfaction studies that draw a correlation between job fulfillment and personal contributions. Tom W. Smith, head of the polling center at the University of Chicago, has learned that the happiest workers are in caregiver roles as diverse as firefighters, teachers, clergy and physical therapists. “Job satisfaction is the result of a sense of autonomy, purpose and the desire to do things because they’re fun and interesting,” claims author Daniel Pink in his book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. “Money can actually cause someone to work less effectively.” For Gregory Smith, owner of the consultancy Chart Your Course International, it’s no surprise remuneration doesn’t necessarily correlate with job satisfaction. “Money may attract people to the front door, but something else keeps them from going out the back.” The Job Satisfaction Barometer Yet for all
