Happy employees are good for business.

This is not earth-shattering news, but it bears repeating because so many organizations struggle with how to achieve it. Is it ping pong tables and a fridge full of energy drinks? If only it were that easy.

Research shows that happiness at work comes from factors like recognition, respect, relationship with managers, growth opportunities and doing meaningful work. These metrics are much harder to achieve – but worth every ounce of effort. Happiness increases job loyalty, engagement, productivity and results. Studies show that happy employees are up to 20% more productive than unhappy employees. And the research isn’t just looking at the simple correlation between job satisfaction rates and financial results – there are causal links between the bottom line and employee happiness, often measured by relationship with manager, growth opportunities and doing rewarding work.

But no one is an island, and these gains are not achieved because one employee is happy. It relies on teams and healthy relationships within those teams.

We’ve all been in jobs where we truly enjoy the people we work with. We love going to work. We look forward to team meetings and happy hours. The ability to create and sustain healthy relationships transcends the workplace. Knowing how to communicate effectively, accept people’s strengths and weaknesses, understand other’s perspectives – these are the skills of the human race! Whether it’s spending time with friends, coworkers or neighbors, we all benefit from meaningful interpersonal connections.

So yes, I fully embrace the cliché that teamwork makes the dream work. I’ve been lucky over the past 15 years to work with hundreds of leaders and teams, and I’ve found that healthy, positive relationships come from having an accurate understanding of yourself and others. Using DiSC® Certification and Everything DiSC with over 15,000 leaders and teams has created communication breakthroughs and greater understanding and trust between teams and leaders faster than anything else I’ve experienced in my career. I’ve seen it transform the lives of people, both in the workplace and in their own personal development.

Interested in creating these kinds of breakthroughs on your team? I am hosting a two-day DiSC event in Denver this spring. For more information or to register, visit our Everything DiSC Certification Workshops registration page.