What kind of work we like?

This question was raised during work-wellbeing-coach training. Question was handled together and all the items were listed. After brainstorming and discussion answers were grouped under the three main points:

 1.Needs
 2.Resources
 3.Influencing

Good job fulfills all of these in positive way. Let's check these in details.

Needs. According to our discussion one main contributor for job satisfaction is that our basic needs are fulfilled. Basics needs can be divided to the low and high level needs. Low level needs are such like:
 •Permanent job
 •Pay
 •Secure environment

And high level needs like:
 •To be independent
 •To get things done
 •To be professional
 •To be with other people

This matches nicely to Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Resources.We are satisfied with our jobs when job demands and resources are in balance, or at least in good balance. Every job has job demands and resources. Those are interacting with each others and it good understand those as a coin having job demands on one side and resources on other side. It is also good to notice that job demands are much easier to notice than resources.

Resources are physical, psycological, social and organizational factors which help to cope with work challenges. Resources boost learning and development and are usefull for achieving targets.

Resources at work are like:
 •Possibility to influence to own job
 •Clear targets
 •Career possibilities
 •Good and supportive supervising
 •Variable tasks
 •Equality and justice

Influencing. Experience that we can influence and be part of makes the feeling of control. This very important factor for work-wellbeing and job satisfaction. How and where we want to influence? Here is the list of examples:

•Content of work
•Amount of work
•Methods for implementation
•Quality
•Working times
•Work scheduling
•Prioritization
•Work improving
•Processes and practices at work

Ensuring a good work and keeping people satisfied requires attention for basic needs, resources, and ways to influence. Final question is: "Who is responsible to make this happen?".