Flourish on Your Own Terms: You Don’t Need Your Company’s Permission to Thrive

Last year, I published Flourishing Effect: Unlocking Employee Thriving & High Performance as a Competitive Edge to help leaders and changemakers create environments that actively engage, retain, and unlock the full potential of their people. Since then, a question that keeps coming up is how individuals can take matters into their own hands and thrive—even if their company isn’t creating the right conditions for it.

Too often, companies become fixated on productivity metrics while overlooking the signs of burnout. In other cases, it’s a toxic culture, poor leadership, friction-filled ways of working, or outdated mindsets—like prioritizing hours in the office over genuine output and impact. As a result, organizations can create a distorted reality that stifles productivity, engagement, and innovation. Whatever the environment, don’t let it stop you from living your best work life.

While it would be ideal if every company prioritized employee thriving, the truth is that it’s rare—and that’s okay. As I discuss in my next book, flourishing isn’t about waiting for others to make it happen. It’s an inside job—one that requires us to live in alignment with our true essence and cultivate our own thriving, regardless of external circumstances. Here are  a few ways to get started:

Get Clear on Your Definition of Success

The first step is simple yet profoundly important: define success on your own terms. What does flourishing look like to you? Maybe you’re one of those rare people who thrive on working 80-hour weeks in a high-growth startup because you’re passionate about building something from the ground up. Or perhaps it means working for a company that’s making a positive impact in the world, seeing your contributions come to life, building meaningful relationships with colleagues, learning something new every day, or having the flexibility to pick up your kids from school. There is no right or wrong answer. Success is deeply personal—the key is to honor your unique vision and align your path accordingly.

Build Your Ecosystem of Support

Relationships matter—build them before you need them. Networking isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about building a support system that uplifts and empowers you. Cultivate connections proactively by adding value first and showing genuine interest in others—not just transactional interactions. Seek mentors beyond your organization, join communities that fuel your passions, and surround yourself with people (online and off) who inspire you. A strong ecosystem ensures you’re never reliant on just one role or company for fulfillment.

Don’t Let Them Break Your Soul

Can you guess the $3 trillion culprit behind the biggest drain on your time, energy, and motivation? Friction. Whether it’s outdated technology, unnecessary meetings, excessive emails & chats, bureaucratic processes, lack of transparency, or emotionally exhausting interactions, it all adds up to the second shift employees are forced to take on—on top of their regular work, with no pay or recognition. While addressing this is the responsibility of leadership and HR, there are still steps you can take to reduce friction and move things forward:

• Job Crafting: Take proactive steps to 'jobcraft' your role by collaborating with your boss to reshape your tasks, responsibilities, and work relationships in a way that aligns with your strengths and passions. This approach can help reduce feelings of frustration and burnout.

• Friction Feedback Loops: Encourage leadership to establish a feedback system that allows employees to proactively share pain points, sources of friction, and inefficiencies. This feedback is a valuable tool for leaders—it’s a gift that uncovers hidden barriers and enables them to remove obstacles, helping their teams reach their full potential.

• Leverage Technology to Automate Tasks: Take advantage of AI and other technology to automate repetitive tasks. Whether it's using scheduling tools, project management software, or task automation, these tools can free up time for more strategic or creative work. Learn to use these tools effectively to eliminate the friction of mundane tasks.

Connect the Dots: Meaning & Purpose

As Viktor Frankl illustrated in Man’s Search for Meaning, a sense of purpose is an inner experience—not the result of external circumstances. If your boss isn’t connecting the dots for you, take the initiative to find meaning in your work. Understand how your efforts impact other teams, clients, or the broader community. Purpose directly influences engagement, performance, and resilience to burnout—don’t wait for someone else to hand it to you.

Be the Gatekeeper of Your Lifeforce

Taking ownership of your well-being is non-negotiable. Prioritize rest, nutrition, exercise, and mental breaks—not as indulgences but as essential building blocks for sustainable performance, both at work and in life. One of the most powerful ways to protect your energy is by learning to set boundaries with energy drainers—whether it’s unrealistic expectations, burnout culture, or the misguided belief that your worth is tied to overwork. Ruthlessly prioritize what truly matters by applying the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to focus on the activities that yield the highest returns. Then, allow everything else to fall naturally into the background. If something is truly meant to be at the top of your list, it will rise again.

Embrace Agility and Ongoing Development

The modern world demands agility and continuous learning. Commit to a growth mindset and proactively seek opportunities to upskill. Step outside your comfort zone—whether it’s negotiating a raise, initiating tough conversations, or exploring how your company generates value. Pursue mentors and content across industries to broaden your perspective. Being adaptable and curious will keep you relevant and resilient.

Flourishing Is a Commitment to Yourself

In a perfect world, every company would be deliberate about fostering The Flourishing Effect. The truth is, you don’t have to wait for the perfect circumstances. You have the power to take charge of your own thriving, no matter your environment. By choosing to flourish on your own terms, you become a role model—your energy and impact will inspire others to follow suit.

I’d love to hear how you’re making it happen! How are you finding ways to flourish?