In August of 2009, we sent out a survey to a group of our clients and other organizational contacts asking the following question: “What about your job gives you the most satisfaction or turns you on or energizes you the most?”

Here's what they said:

• Seeing someone you have been mentoring succeed by using the things you have been discussing.
• My work gives me the most satisfaction when I can:

...Enjoy it – find pleasant moments and work activities which make me smile  

...Engage in it – when I have tasks that lineup with (and challenge) my competencies, experiences, and knowledge, and the foundation resources

...Serve – when there’s meaning to what I do. Personal/Corp/Social servanthood.  

• The ability to develop talent and to see employees grow in their career.
• I am most satisfied and energized when I’m able to change people’s professional or personal lives for the better because they learned something from me and were  eager to apply it – and I get paid for doing this.
• The ability to help individuals achieve more of their potential in both their work and in the personal lives. Ideally I try and achieve this using learning methods that are not only enlightening for the participants but also fun. The end result is extremely rewarding hopefully for all evolved.
• Solving problems and coming up with win-win solutions for the business.
• Exceeding measurable objectives (winning). Inspiring others.
• Creating a tool to help solve a problem or giving direction to find a solution to their problem.
• The fact that I have the capability to train, educate and bring awareness to associates/employees all across the country, concerning the importance of diversity.
• When employees that participate in our training provide positive feedback on their training experience and how they were able to apply the tools / processes / knowledge to job performance improvement.
• When I can influence and drive change that makes the organization more effective.
• Interesting and challenging work for a boss/company that provides me the flexibility to be a great mother and employee.
• I like the variety of tasks, the interaction with people and the feeling that I make a difference.
• A highly-energized, caring CEO who has a wonderful can do attitude, leads by example and inspires us to do our best!
• With a service mindset, I am most energized when the project I am working on fulfills my client (a department)'s business needs- thus contributing to their work and ultimately to the company's success.  When the added factors of collaboration and creativity are involved, the whole process becomes more satisfying.
• Coming to work in an atmosphere without personal agendas - everyone working towards the common goals of success and have fun doing it. I have that, have worked here for ten years, and get up in the morning without any dread of coming to work.
• Solving problems and seeing the result of the resolution translated into a useful solution for others in the business.
• I am usually most satisfied when I am making sure that the people perspective is paid attention to during daily operations; also, working in the field (vs. Corporate), listening to employees issues and problem solving.  My first response was “having the resources to complete HR projects that help both the employees and the company” but that hasn’t happened lately.
• I get energized when I’m presented with a challenge, am given the authority and autonomy to figure out how to resolve it, and then resolve it successfully.  It really makes me feel good.
• I love the variety in my job.  Every day brings a new challenge, whether it be learning, content, people, etc., this keeps me energized.  I love working with the multiple levels of people in our organization.  I feel it keeps me very grounded and allows me the opportunity to be a voice across the may divisions.
• Seeing the impact of your work and when you are able to engage others in the work.
• Ken Blanchard describes "Meaningful Work" in one of his books. Survey question answer - The ability to help shape organizational performance at macro and the personal level makes my job very meaningful for me and drives me to excel.
• Gives me the most satisfaction: the variety of the work, and meeting the "customers" (internal employees, teams, HR staff, etc.) needs. I develop learning solutions for a variety of team or org. needs, so there is always the ability to have a variety of projects and learning solutions to execute. Pulling together a successful program that receives praise and ultimately changes how an employee does their job gives me the best satisfaction. Energizes me:  change. My company changes ALL the time. My job cannot get stagnant when there is always another large change around the corner.
• Making a difference in students lives by developing new job opportunities that may have an impact on their future career.
• Currently the organization is putting all its resources in overhauling its computer system.  Also, the business model has changed quite a bit, from decentralization to centralization. People from teams are being "deployed" to work on the implementation of the computer system. This creates cross functional teams of people who have to communicate more. With centralization, there is no longer room for people to work in "silos". What energizes me the most is being able to provide tools and workshops to help the teams enhance communication.  The feedback has been very positive and it has been an added value to the organization.  Adding value in during a " technological increase and downsizing environment" is satisfying.
• For me it occurs when I'm doing something that is relevant and important to the company and is important to me. Important to me usually are tings I enjoy, do well and align with my personal values.
• The one thing about my job that gives me the most satisfaction and energizes me the most is knowing that  I helped someone and that I learned something new.
• I am a very competitive person that loves sports so I view everyday as a new challenge and chance to win.  We as a team put together game plans for the year on how we will win key projects and continue to dominate the market.  Seeing us dominate the competition drives me. A second item that drives me is being able to motivate people to want to go through a wall for me and the company.  Seeing them striving to be the best and then succeeding.
• Being a change agent who influences others (at all levels) to move the organization in the right direction. Also anything that develops people to their full potential.
• Helping people to grow and unleash their potential.  To help people see opportunities for learning in problems they are faced with.  I also am energized by helping people to be their best so they can influence others to be their best.
• Working in the field of sports.  Developing strategies to create new business opportunities for my company. Designing buildings that are left as legacies on college campuses that enhance the lives and experiences of the people that work and train in them, and visit them as spectators.
• I am most energized by the confidence that my supervisor has in my ability to handle my work.  As my supervisor continues to give me more responsibility and varied projects, I am energized to accomplish more.  I am happy that my supervisor gives me a project and leaves me to figure the way to accomplish it, since I am a self-starter and enjoy the process of discovery. In addition, because I learn a great amount of new information in my work, my interest in learning is satisfied.  I also am satisfied when I have adequate time to complete my work, which generally is the case because I prioritize well.  I very much enjoy my position and look forward to going to the office.
• My satisfaction comes from knowing that I’ve helped someone accomplish what they want to accomplish.
• What energizes me is the team I work with, we work great together and I can rely on everyone. What gives me the most satisfaction is our mission and that we’re able to carry it out and see results.
• Creativity is what energizes me - whether it's in creating a new PowerPoint presentation or brainstorming around a problem, event or activity.
• My job satisfaction is highest when there is an unbending commitment toward a worthy vision, that I’m given the creative freedom to achieve through common sense decisions.