St. Louis Business Journal
Pursuing work satisfaction still makes sense, even in the midst
of war and recession

By Anna Navarro

October 2001 - Is it possible to find any job, let alone a satisfying job in the midst of tragedy and war? Is it frivolous to focus on job satisfaction after the events of September 11?

These are the questions that many of my clients are asking themselves in recent weeks as fear and guilt have replaced shock and disbelief.

Both of these concerns are very understandable. They deserve careful scrutiny. Let's first explore the fear that there are no jobs out there.

Most employers are not expanding their work forces, but openings continue to occur because of retirements, deaths and geographic moves.

In addition, even when the economy as a whole takes a downturn, there are usually upticks in some sector. That's the case today with videoconferencing, cell phones, security and law enforcement, construction in lower Manhattan, and some parts of the defense industry. These are just a few fields where prospects have actually improved as a direct result of the September 11 tragedies.

I wouldn't recommend starting out in training to be an airline pilot or travel agent at the moment. But with the exception of those industries that have been severely hit by the events of September 11, there are almost always jobs to be found by people who know how to make themselves attractive candidates and are willing to be persistent.

People who worry that striving for job satisfaction may be self-indulgent under current circumstances are generally very compassionate human beings. Their guilt emerges from a sometimes unconscious belief that when others are suffering, one way to support them is to suffer with them in a spirit of compassionate fellowship. Or conversely that it makes matters worse for those who are suffering if the rest of us go about our normal lives.

But let's look at that concept a little more closely in the context of the current situation. How does it help the victims of September 11, or the civilian population of Afghanistan, for you to add to the world's misery by staying in a job that makes you unhappy? Self-sacrifice that results in benefits to others can be worth the price. But what's the value of self-sacrifice that helps no one?

Perhaps even more important, increasing your job satisfaction may actually be more beneficial to those who are suffering than if you endure a negative work situation.

In recent weeks I have heard economist after economist say that the fundamentals of the economy are solid, and that problems in the stock market and labor market are the result of weakening confidence.

People who are working at jobs they enjoy doing and do well are more likely to be optimistic than their disgruntled counterparts. And also more likely to engage in reasonable risk taking. Their risk taking is the tonic we need for economic recovery and to wage a long and difficult war against terrorism.

A similar point can be made about productivity.

Have you ever had colleagues or co-workers who obviously disliked their job's? Generally their unhappiness is reflected in poor work, not meeting deadlines or a bad attitude that can make the work place miserable for themselves and others. Worse, their attitude can be contagious and lower morale for the work group as a whole.

Happy workers - whether they are high-ranking managers or truck drivers - do their work with gusto, and spread their enthusiasm to others. They are big contributors on a micro level to our country's productivity. And that productivity is necessary to stabilize our economy and fund the "search and destroy" aspects of the battle against terrorism.

I also believe that finding ways to expand meaningful work opportunities for third world countries is part of the longer-term solution for eradicating terrorism. Terrorism is spawned in the hearts and minds of people who are desperate and have nothing to lose.

Meaningful work by contrast, provides well being and satisfaction. Give people something to live for and they may be less likely to follow the leadership of evil fanatics like Osama bin Laden and others of a similar stripe.

Anna Navarro is the founder of Work Transitions, a nationwide career consulting firm that trains independent career strategists and consults with individual clients.

This column was originally published by the St. Louis Business Journal. The actual title of the column and date in which it appeared in the Business Journal may be slightly different from what appears on WorkTransitions.com.