Some educators feel like they have the best jobs in the world. Others find that their work drains rather than sustains them.
In my experience, “best jobs” have several essential ingredients:
• A compelling, stretching purpose that demands the best of us and our colleagues each day,
• Talents that are well used and continuously developed,
• Clear expectations for performance,
• Open and honest communication with colleagues and supervisors within trusting relationships, and
• Colleagues who support and challenge us as they encourage us to bring our best selves to work each day.
What have I missed?
Dennis Sparks on re·sil·ience 
Autonomy.
Learning opportunities.
Shared vision.
Great additions, Edna! Thanks…
And fun 🙂
coffee 🙂
It goes without saying, Lynn…
The ability to have fun together. The fun for me is usually while engaged in the work itself, not extra activities, but laughter and genuine enjoyment of the company of those I work with will keep me motivated!
I appreciate your emphasis, Jane, on having fun while you work rather than placing work and fun in separate compartments, as some people seem to do.
You nailed it as for the essentials. There are other ‘nice to have’ and individualized characteristics, but when I think about my best job ever this captures it.
I appreciate your comment and reinforcement of these “essentials,” Kari.
In addition to clear performance goals/standards; individuals value some autonomy with strategy and resources
I also wonder where feedback is located in this list.
Hmm. Good question, Stephanie. “Knowledge of results” certainly contributes to improved performance, and it makes sense that a feeling of competence would cause us to enjoy and appreciate our work. I’m curious what other readers think.…