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The question of what people need from their leaders has many answers. However, recent Gallup research found that respondents from 52 countries were asked to list three words describing what positive leaders add to their daily life, hope emerged as the primary need, cited by 56% of respondents. Trust followed at a distant second with 33% while compassion (7%) and stability (4%) lagged far behind. According to the research, followers are significantly more likely to say they need to see hope in those who lead organizations (64%) than among other leaders who might work within the same organization, e.g., managers (59%) and colleagues (58%). In other words, the more senior a leader is within an organization, the more followers look to them for hope and inspiration. At first, the results were somewhat surprising to Jim Harter, Gallups chief scientist of workplace management and well-being, who thought stability might have led the list. However, once he started digging into the answers and the discussion points in the survey, hope made sense after all. I think that it’s hard to have a sense of stability if you can’t see the future. And I think that’s why hope is so foundational, he says. During the last recession, he was doing research about how people felt about their standard of living. The people who felt that they had a leader who encouraged their development had a much more positive view of their standard of living and their future, he says. When people have a concept of where they’re headed, that’s part of hope. Hope is active, not passive Perhaps predictably, Lindsay Recknell says she wasnt at all surprised at this research. The self-named expert in hope and host of the Hope Motivates Action podcast, Recknell consults with businesses about the power of hope in the workplace and how to cultivate it. Recknell says that while hope has many meanings depending on context, she focuses on the hope theory, which was developed by the late C.R. Rick Snyder, a psychology professor at the University of Kansas. Recknell describes hope theory is a formula that defines hope as goals (what we want to achieve or have happen) plus agency thinking (our motivation or the intrinsic why for doing something), plus pathways thinking (our ability to overcome obstacles to the outcome we want). She finds defining hope in this way is particularly useful and effective during periods of uncertainty. A leader can go to their team member and say, Stuff is really hard right now. Let’s focus on what we can control. Well, what can we control? You can control your goals, your desires, your dreams, the things that you want to work on, that you want to take action toward. All of a sudden, when somebody has something to look forward to that’s already kicking off the hope cycle, that’s already kicking off this idea of creating a future better than today, she says. Organizational psychologist Aymee Coget, author of Happiness for Humankind Playbook: Sustainable Happiness in 5 Steps, says the absence of any of those three components can lead to hopelessness. The leader’s job is to create all three, and the person needs to have goals that they’re aware of and they buy into that are realistic for them, she says. They have to have a pathway. Cultivating hope Harter says that the research unveiled other leadership actions and behaviors that are linked to hope in the workplace. One item we ask about leaders that I think links really strongly to hope is whether people feel that their leader makes them feel enthusiastic about the future, he says. Part of that is helping people understand what their role is and helping them set and understand tangible and realistic goals that will help their situations change. Another aspect is to help them connect to the purpose in their work. To have hope, people need resources to do the workthat’s the agency partand they need a larger purpose to connect their work to. People find purpose in many different ways, but I would argue it’s a basic human need, he says. Recknell also makes a distinction between hope and optimism, saying that, while hopeful people and optimistic people both look toward a time when things will get better, hopeful people put in the work to make that happen. Harter echoes that sentiment. Hope isn’t just telling people things are going to be great, it’s helping them see how they can be great and how they can be in tough times, how they can be a part of defining the future instead of being victimized by the present, he says.
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E-Commerce
Feeling comfortable enough at work to speak your mind can undoubtedly make for a pleasant work environment. But today many employees are biting their tongues at the office, especially when it comes to their political leanings. According to a recent My Perfect Resume survey of 1,000 U.S. employees, in today’s fraught political climate free speech is hard to come by at work. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of employees say they feel the need to exercise caution around how they communicate with their employer and their workmates. Largely, they are worried about backlash over their political views: 68% say they don’t talk about politics. This fear stands to reason: 43% of U.S. employees say they have either witnessed or personally experienced discrimination over political viewpoints. Likewise, employees whose politics don’t align with their companies’ feel they have to smile and nod: 41% said they felt pressured to agree with a “workplace stance” on social and political views to avoid blowback. Over half (56%) say that cancel culture has destroyed open dialogue. On the surface, it might look like were having more open conversations at workbut beneath that is a culture of fear and self-silencing, said Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at MyPerfectResume. Employees are being told they can speak up, but theyre also reading the roomand staying quiet. While there’s always been an old school belief that religion and politics should only be brought up in good company, in recent years cooperations have become more vocal on political matters. One study found that partisan speech from companies rose sharply from from 2012, with a major shift starting in late 2017, when political tweets from corporations doubled. Politically vocal companies may be appreciated by some consumers who want to know where to spend their dollars and what brands to boycott. However, the vast majority of people wants businesses to stay quiet on politics. According to a 2024 Axios Harris poll, less than four in 10 U.S. adults (38%) believe businesses should take public stancesa decline of 10 points since two years earlier. Still, in the current political climate, it may be more important than ever to seek out employment at a company whose values align with your own.
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E-Commerce
Ditch the commute and embrace the pajama pants-powered productivity of remote work. Plenty of fantastic tech companies are not only offering remote positions but are also highly regarded by their employees. Ive scoured the job boards and employee reviews to bring you eight that are actively hiring for hundreds of remote roles right now. Judging from their Glassdoor ratings, these outfits are borderline-beloved by the folks who work at them. If you’re on the hunt for a flexible work setup at a company where people genuinely enjoy their jobs, this list is for you. Rula (Glassdoor Rating: 4.6) Rula is a behavioral health technology company on a mission to make high-quality mental healthcare accessible to everyone. It builds tools and services that empower therapists and streamline the process for individuals seeking support. Employees rave about Rula’s mission-driven culture and commitment to employee well-being. Links: Careers page | Open positions (12) | Glassdoor CoinTracker (Glassdoor Rating: 4.6) CoinTracker is a platform for cryptocurrency tax compliance and portfolio tracking, providing users with a way to manage their crypto finances. Employees at CoinTracker appreciate the challenging and engaging work, as well as the company’s supportive and forward-thinking culture. Links: Careers page | Open positions (16) | Glassdoor Cresta (Glassdoor Rating: 4.5) Cresta uses AI to help customer service teams. Their real-time intelligence platform guides agents and improves customer interactions. Cresta is known for its cutting-edge technology and a company culture that values innovation and customer success. Links: Careers page | Open positions (12) | Glassdoor Oscilar (Glassdoor Rating: 4.4) Oscilar provides AI-powered credit risk management solutions for financial institutions to help lenders make faster and more informed decisions. Oscilar is praised for its innovative technology and a work environment that encourages learning and collaboration. Links: Careers page | Open positions (14) | Glassdoor Mercury (Glassdoor Rating: 4.2) Mercury is a banking platform that offers FDIC-insured bank accounts, virtual cards, and more. It focuses on providing a seamless and intuitive financial experience for businesses. Mercury is known for its customer-centric approach and a company culture that values innovation and teamwork. Links: Careers page | Open positions (42) | Glassdoor Airbnb (Glassdoor Rating: 4.2) Airbnb . . . well, you know what Airbnb is, right? It revolutionized the travel industry by connecting travelers with homeowners around the world. Employees at Airbnb often cite the company’s mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, as well as the opportunities for impact and growth. Links: Careers page | Open positions (135) | Glassdoor Dynatrace (Glassdoor Rating: 4.1) Dynatrace provides an all-in-one observability platform that combines AI-powered analytics and automation. It helps organizations ensure their digital performance and deliver exceptional user experiences. Dynatrace fosters a culture of innovation and offers ample opportunities for professional growth. Links: Careers page | Open positions (35) | Glassdoor Headway (Glassdoor Rating: 4.0) Headway is building a new mental healthcare system that makes it easier for people to find and afford quality therapy. They partner with therapists and insurance companies to create a more accessible and streamlined experience. Headway employees are passionate about the company’s mission and appreciate the supportive and collaborative work environment. Links: Careers page | Open positions (56) | Glassdoor
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E-Commerce
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