Vishal Sharma in this HR podcast decodes why happiness is overhyped, why work-life balance is a myth, and why surveys are weak at measuring employee engagement
He strikes out outdated employee engagement practices, pushes for fearless feedback (not sugarcoated), and spills because real engagement beats fake smiles.
At the same time, he advocates mental health, career security, and why taking risks on employees with the right attitude pays off.
If you are an HR, and digging for a playbook to build thriving teams, watch it now or stay stuck in HR’s stone age!
1. Should happiness at work be the ultimate goal?
Vishal Sharma: No. Happiness is fleeting. Employees need engagement, purpose, and meaningful work to stay motivated in the long run. A focus on growth, autonomy, and a strong company mission leads to sustained job satisfaction and increased loyalty.
2. Does increasing salaries lead to higher employee satisfaction?
Vishal Sharma: Up to a certain point, higher salaries help reduce financial stress, but beyond it, they do not drive long-term job satisfaction or motivation. Employees tend to stay for growth opportunities, recognition, and a supportive work environment.
3. How can leaders build trust and loyalty among employees?
Vishal Sharma: Practices like transparency, fairness, and small, consistent acts of care, for example checking in on employees, supporting them during challenges, and recognizing their efforts create a culture of trust and loyalty.
4. Why shouldn’t companies rely only on employee surveys for feedback?
Vishal Sharma: Surveys do not provide deep insights and cannot assess employees’ emotions effectively; however, they provide data. Open, direct conversations allow leaders to understand true concerns, foster dialogue, and act on feedback meaningfully.
5. Should failure be avoided in the workplace?
Vishal Sharma: No! To learn better, failure is crucial. When companies allow employees to fail, learn, and grow, ...
