Six Key Traits Define the Happiest and Most Successful Employees, Says CEO Who Has Interviewed 30,000 People

The happiest and most successful employees share six defining traits, according to William Vanderbloemen, founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen Search Group. Drawing on insights from more than 30,000 interviews conducted through his executive search firm and surveys of over 7,000 professionals, Vanderbloemen identifies the crucial elements that distinguish fulfilled workers from those who struggle with dissatisfaction.

His findings highlight the importance of good leadership, work-life balance, fair pay, autonomy, growth opportunities, and meaningful work as the foundation for workplace happiness.

A Good Boss Sets the Tone

Vanderbloemen emphasizes that a strong relationship with one’s supervisor is central to job satisfaction. Employees are more content when they know their boss has their best interests in mind and understands their individual preferences and motivations. “A good boss knows you and your particular wiring, like whether you prefer to receive praise in public or privately in an email,” Vanderbloemen explains. He adds that communication about personal work styles and development goals allows managers to better support their team — or, conversely, helps employees recognize when their boss is not the right fit.

Happy man in front of a laptop | Source: Pexels

Work-Life Balance Varies by Individual

The CEO notes that happiness also depends on maintaining a work-life balance that fits one’s personality and lifestyle. For some, that might mean staying lightly connected after hours to reduce anxiety, while others prefer strict boundaries between professional and personal time. “Neither is right or wrong,” Vanderbloemen says, but employees are happiest in jobs that respect their natural approach to managing their time and energy.

Fair Pay Remains Fundamental

Financial security remains a critical component of workplace satisfaction. Vanderbloemen stresses that even those who are passionate about their jobs will burn out if they are underpaid. “You don’t need to be wired a certain way for this one. Everyone deserves to be paid what their work is worth,” he writes. He advises employees to advocate for fair compensation, reminding employers that retaining staff is often more cost-effective than replacing them.

Autonomy and Flexibility Foster Trust

Another key factor in employee happiness is autonomy. Vanderbloemen argues that treating workers as responsible adults capable of self-management promotes engagement and trust. The lessons of the pandemic, he observes, showed that many people perform at their best when given flexibility in how and where they work. He encourages employees to request greater autonomy if needed — and to consider other opportunities if their current employer is unwilling to adapt.

Woman smiling next to colleagues | Source: Pexels

Professional Growth Inspires Confidence

Opportunities for professional advancement contribute significantly to job satisfaction. Vanderbloemen notes that employees who see a path forward within their organization are more confident and content. He urges workers to take initiative in identifying the skills they want to build and to seek out training or educational programs that align with their goals. Many companies, he adds, offer benefits such as tuition reimbursement to support such development.

Meaningful Work Drives Fulfillment

Of all the factors influencing workplace happiness, finding purpose in one’s work may be the most powerful. Vanderbloemen cites research showing that meaningful work is the top determinant of happiness on the job. He encourages employees to look for ways their roles contribute to broader organizational and societal goals. “As long as you believe what you’re doing is making some kind of difference, you’ll be happier,” he writes. For those unable to find meaning at work, he suggests pursuing fulfillment through volunteering, parenting, or community engagement.

Vanderbloemen’s findings, drawn from decades of executive recruitment experience and extensive research, underscore a central truth about professional satisfaction: happiness at work stems not from a single source but from a balance of fair treatment, personal growth, and a sense of purpose.