The headlines are impossible to ignore  – more than 50% of employees are on the lookout for a new job. While a record-high 23% of employees are thriving at work, a staggering 77% are not. According to the Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace Report, 59% of employees are quiet quitting – disengaged but still showing up – and 18% are “loud quitting” – actively disengaged. Quiet quitting, often described as “meh” or mediocrity, reflects a feeling of indifference and apathy. Loud quitting is disruptive, with employees actively opposing or obstructing workplace operations, causing chaos and crises.

What does it mean to THRIVE at work?  Thriving has been defined in many ways; feeling energized, valued, growing and evolving professionally, finding purpose and belonging. According to the National Institutes of Health, thriving in the workplace is about positive mental, physical, and social functioning which enables individuals to THRIVE in their overall lives.

In my 40 years of leadership experience, I’ve learned that individual and team engagement as a precursor to THRIVE has always existed on a continuum based upon the individuals involved and the circumstances or people impacting the individual, team or organization dynamics. It’s like sailing - when the winds change, the dynamics shift. It could be internal or external forces – the economy, leader changes, or technological advances fueling the swirling winds. This natural ebb and flow created motion, both good and bad. Today, however, it feels like many teams and individuals are stuck in headwinds, unable to move forward, much like the Gallup data suggests.

At some point in your career, you’ll reach a pivotal moment – a career crossroads. These are stages where you may feel stuck, desire growth, experience burnout, or want to pivot towards something entirely new. Whether you are evaluating your current state of THRIVE at work, seeking mentorship and guidance for your next steps, embarking on a new job or gaining a new leader, these moments are opportunities for reflection, evaluation, and decision-making.  

Career crossroads are also key opportunities for you to take greater ownership of your development. Your leader can play a crucial role in fostering this by guiding and supporting you while encouraging a shared responsibility for growth. When both parties work together—where you lead your own development and leaders provide mentorship, resources, and direction—you create a more engaged, collaborative process that drives THRIVE for yourself and the team.  

Reflecting on these trends and my own experiences, I’ve asked myself:  

What drives THRIVE at work?

How can you gain more control over your career and create a fulfilling work life? What needs to change for you to feel confident, engaged, elevate your performance, and experience growth and evolution in your career journey?  

Research and experience led me to three foundational elements of thriving at work: Intention, Trust & Relationships, and Growth & Development.

Intention
Intention Becomes Your Compass – a deliberate and purposeful approach to decision-making. It's about making choices that align with your vision, goals, values, potential destinations, and outcomes for your career and work life. You can focus on what truly matters to you rather than simply reacting to external circumstances or what others expect of you.

To navigate these crossroads, it’s essential to understand how key workplace conditions and the intersection of your skills and passions come into play. Intention serves as the reflective foundation of this journey, guiding you through thoughtful evaluation of these key areas to help you make intentional, aligned career decisions. 

Recognizing when you are on autopilot can be difficult, especially when anxiety or stress has taken hold. But if you create the habit of pause and reflection, it can help you shift gears to drive allowing time and space to assess your current situation. Once you can assess where you are, it’s easier to identify a path forward.

Trust & Relationships
Extensive research underscores the pivotal role of TRUST, RELATIONSHIPS, and NETWORKS in fostering personal growth, team performance, job satisfaction, career trajectory, resilience, and overall career THRIVE.

Trust is not just a concept; it's you or your team’s career currency—a mutual exchange of support, mentorship, guidance, and sponsorship. These relationships frame the characters in your story, their actions, and support for your journey.

When trust is present, people:

• Give you the benefit of the doubt when challenges arise.
• Step up to help without hesitation when you need support.
• Are more willing to hear your perspective, even on difficult issues.
• Trust you enough to handle things in your absence or during periods of transition.
• Provide mentorship or sponsorship during critical career crossroads moments.
• Help you grow your skills and confidence, navigate career challenges and seize opportunities for growth.

When people know you value them, trust their skills and abilities, and have confidence in their decisions, trust and relationships are built and maintained. Relationships and networks are the backbone of THRIVE and require constant fueling. 

Growth & Development 
Design Your THRIVE recognizes lifelong learning as a cornerstone of Growth & Development.

Extensive research consistently reinforces learning as a high-priority skill for current and future success. Within the DYT framework, lifelong learning is viewed as a continuous dynamic cycle. The cycle begins with self-reflection and an evaluation of your current learning needs and growth opportunities. Next, it moves into planning for learning and exploration, followed by learning activities, trying new things, and integrating what you've learned. Along the way, you build and grow an advisory board of trusted individuals who provide support and feedback, enhancing your growth. 

In the process, learning goes beyond gaining new knowledge -- it's about honing your capacity to learn, unlearn, and relearn and evaluating your skills so you can adapt and grow to meet your evolving needs. By setting the stage for learning and continuously developing your capabilities, you create the conditions to THRIVE at work. 

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, aptly remarked, 'Ultimately, the learn-it-all will always do better than the know-it-all.'  The shelf life of current knowledge and skills is shrinking. Technological advancements and market disruptions are constant, making what you know today obsolete within a few years. Success in the future hinges not solely on what you currently know but rather on your ability to continuously learn, adapt, and evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the workplace. Learning as a skill is not just about learning new knowledge. It goes one step further, beyond what you must know, and focuses on how well you set the stage for learning, learn, and then apply the learning.

Learning is the catalyst, propelling you past 'stuck' and other thrive depleting moments. Curiosity, growth, and possibility are powerful motivators for learning and exploring. Continuous learning and development are vital for growth and helps you adapt, innovate, and drives motivation, thrive, achievement, and future potential. 

Shifting from merely surviving to thriving requires focusing on these elements. By embracing intention, cultivating trust and relationships, and committing to ongoing growth and development, both individuals and teams can enhance their THRIVE at work, elevate performance, and strengthen their career opportunities.

Design Your THRIVE at Work

Navigate your career crossroads with confidence and intention. This workbook offers practical tools, reflection activities, and proven strategies to help you Design Your THRIVE at work. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, deeper connections, increased contribution, or more fulfillment in your role or career, this guide empowers you to take meaningful action.

Download the THRIVE @ Work Check Up below to evaluate your THRIVE status.