Job crafting lets employees take advantage of opportunities to customize their jobs by actively changing their tasks and interactions with others at work

Content of this article:

Advantages of job crafting for companies

For business owners and managers, practicing job crafting can dramatically increase employee engagement. A motivated and inspired team creates a dynamic and resilient organization capable of meeting challenges and adapting to changing market conditions, thereby enhancing competitive advantage

The three most important forms of job crafting

Originally, the concept of job crafting was limited to three forms, as defined by Wrzesniewski and Dutton in 2001:

1. 1. changes employees make to their job content (task crafting); adjustments to the actions that make up a person’s job package. Think about improving the way things are done, using skills you already have, or changing work methods so you can get better results,
   2. changes employees make in relationships at work (relational crafting), changes in the people the employee comes into contact with at work. In doing so, you can discover ways to have more satisfying interactions with others during your workday,
   3. and changes employees make in the meaning they give to their work (cognitive crafting). A change in mindset regarding one’s professional role and tasks. This is about redefining work so that it more accurately reflects what you consider to be the true impact of your contribution within the organization.
      
      

Additional forms of job crafting

In subsequent studies, additional forms of job crafting have been identified, such as:

• • contextual crafting: this refers to changes in the work environment or organizational structure that employees make to better align their jobs with their needs and goals. For example, rearranging work space or adjusting team structures,

• • time-use crafting: this refers to how employees divide their time between different tasks and responsibilities in their jobs. They may choose to spend more time on tasks they enjoy or are good at, and less time on tasks they consider less valuable.

• • emotional crafting: this involves managing emotions at work, such as creating a positive work environment, dealing with stressful situations and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

These additional forms of job crafting show that employees can be actively involved in different ways to modify their jobs and work environment to find greater satisfaction and meaning in their work

Purposes of job crafting

Job crafting is a conscious activity that people undertake to personalize their approach to work by reshaping elements of their role. It is one of many practical strategies that organizations implement to improve well-being, engagement and performance and to promote personal development

How do you start shaping your job?

Most employees shape their jobs in different ways, and this happens at all organizational levels. Encourage your teams to incorporate these job crafting techniques:

1. 1. Brainstorm ways they can adjust their responsibilities to better align with their personal passions and goals.
   2. Think about how to connect with colleagues they would not normally come into contact with during their daily work.
   3. Practicing giving and receiving feedback to improve their ability to perform tasks and achieve goals.
   4. Building relationships with mentors and partners.
   5. Add new responsibilities.
   6. Delegating tasks to others when appropriate.
   7. Tracking thoughts and emotions as they go about their daily tasks to identify areas ready for innovation and improvement.
   8. Sharing challenges and skills with colleagues so that team members can help each other adapt their roles appropriately.

1. 
   

How do you support job crafting as a manager?

Smart leaders can create a culture that encourages this engagement model with the following strategies:

• • start the conversation about job crafting with your employees.

• • create space for job crafting in the employee’s job description and daily activities.

• • evaluate candidates during the hiring process on their self-motivation.

• • discuss job crafting during employee appraisals and evaluations.

• • offer appropriate and readily available training and development opportunities.

• • value proactive action and innovation among your employees.
    
    

Advantages of job crafting

Job crafting offers employees an effective way to create a role that matches their interests and strengths and allows individuals to spend more time in and with the people, tasks and environment they enjoy working with. Applying job crafting in the organization can lead to increased employee engagement, productivity and satisfaction