Aussies and Kiwis have traditionally been known as happy-go-lucky people. Is this still the case? According to a Gallup poll the people from down under are not ranked in the top 15 countries for positive experiences.
Surprising to many is that eight out of the top ten ranked countries are all from Latin America. New Zealand ranked 17 and Australia 18. “Privileged” countries like the USA (24th) and the UK (54th) ranked even lower.
Much discussion has surrounded these results, trying to ascertain why it is so many countries form the one region rated so high. So far it seems the cultural factors of strong communities and time with families has the most support. Whilst the financial positions of people were a factor, it was not a huge one.
Overall the survey found that most people throughout the world were upbeat.
The top and bottom ten ranked countries were:
| Top 10 | Bottom 10 | |
| Paraguay | Ngaorno-Karabakh Region | |
| Panama | Azerbaijan | |
| Guatemala | Yemen | |
| Nicaragua | Belarus | |
| Ecuador | Nepal | |
| Costa Rica | Serbia | |
| Colombia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Denmark | Lithuania | |
| Honduras | Chad | |
| Venezuela | Syria |
So what are the implications for your business? On one level there is the fact that happier employees are more productive, which contributes to the bottom line of your company. Seek to create community within your employees and foster their positive experience.
However, there is a higher level aspect to this, and that involves being a business that seeks to add value to the community because it is the right thing to do. Ask how your business can model a positive community experience. And foremost – model it in your own life. Be positive and make the world a better place.
If you would further information on how Avondale Business School can help your organisation, contact Warrick Long
P: 02 4980 2168