Speaking Aug 13-16

Describe a person who you are happy to know

Let me see… I’m going to talk about Professor Zhou, my supervisor in theoretical physics. I first met him during a summer reading group on quantum field theory in my sophomore year, when he walked in, glanced at our messy Feynman diagrams, and, well, asked one piercing question that instantly clarified the whole argument. We’ve worked together since then on symmetry breaking and effective field theories.
He’s the kind of person who is both formidably rigorous and surprisingly warm. In meetings he listens quietly, then offers two or three surgical comments—no grand speeches—just the right nudge. Outside the office he cracks dry jokes and insists I take real weekends. What I’m trying to say is, he balances high standards with genuine care.
I’m happy to know him because he changed my mindset. Instead of chasing flashy results, I’ve learned to value clean assumptions and reproducible derivations. He also encouraged me to present at a small workshop; I was nervous but, you know, he sat in the front row and asked friendly questions so I could find my rhythm. At the end of the day, having a mentor like that makes the hard parts of theory feel not just doable but deeply rewarding.

Let me see… I’m going to talk about Professor Zhou, my supervisor in theoretical physics.
/let miː siː aɪm ˈɡəʊɪŋ tə tɔːk əˈbaʊt prəˈfesə dʒəʊ maɪ ˈsuːpəvaɪzə ɪn ˌθɪəˈretɪkəl ˈfɪzɪks/

I first met him during a summer reading group on quantum field theory in my sophomore year, when he walked in, glanced at our messy Feynman diagrams, and, well, asked one piercing question that instantly clarified the whole argument.
/aɪ fɜːst met hɪm ˈdʒʊərɪŋ ə ˈsʌmə ˈriːdɪŋ ɡruːp ɒn ˈkwɒntəm fiːld ˈθɪəri ɪn maɪ ˈsɒfəmɔː jɪə wen hiː wɔːkt ɪn ɡlɑːnst ət aʊə ˈmesi ˈfaɪnmən ˈdaɪəɡræmz ənd wel ɑːskt wʌn ˈpɪəsɪŋ ˈkwestʃən ðət ˈɪnstəntli ˈklærɪfaɪd ðə həʊl ˈɑːɡjumənt/

We’ve worked together since then on symmetry breaking and effective field theories.
/wiːv wɜːkt təˈɡeðə sɪns ðen ɒn ˈsɪmətri ˈbreɪkɪŋ ənd ɪˈfektɪv fiːld ˈθɪəriz/

He’s the kind of person who is both formidably rigorous and surprisingly warm.
/hiːz ðə kaɪnd əv ˈpɜːsən huː ɪz bəʊθ fəˈmɪdəbli ˈrɪɡərəs ənd səˈpraɪzɪŋli wɔːm/

In meetings he listens quietly, then offers two or three surgical comments—no grand speeches—just the right nudge.
/ɪn ˈmiːtɪŋz hiː ˈlɪsənz ˈkwaɪətli ðen ˈɒfəz tuː ɔː θriː ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl ˈkɒments nəʊ ɡrænd spiːtʃɪz dʒʌst ðə raɪt nʌdʒ/

Outside the office he cracks dry jokes and insists I take real weekends.
/ˌaʊtˈsaɪd ði ˈɒfɪs hiː kræks draɪ dʒəʊks ənd ɪnˈsɪsts aɪ teɪk rɪəl ˈwiːkendz/

What I’m trying to say is, he balances high standards with genuine care.
/wɒt aɪm ˈtraɪɪŋ tə seɪ ɪz hiː ˈbælənsɪz haɪ ˈstændədz wɪð ˈdʒenjuɪn keə/

I’m happy to know him because he changed my mindset.
/aɪm ˈhæpi tə nəʊ hɪm bɪˈkɒz hiː tʃeɪndʒd maɪ ˈmaɪndset/

Instead of chasing flashy results, I’ve learned to value clean assumptions and reproducible derivations.
/ɪnˈsted əv ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ ˈflæʃi rɪˈzʌlts aɪv lɜːnd tə ˈvæljuː kliːn əˈsʌmpʃənz ənd ˌriːprəˈdjuːsəbəl ˌderɪˈveɪʃənz/

He also encouraged me to present at a small workshop; I was nervous but, you know, he sat in the front row and asked friendly questions so I could find my rhythm.
/hiː ˈɔːlsəʊ ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒd miː tə prɪˈzent ət ə smɔːl ˈwɜːkʃɒp aɪ wɒz ˈnɜːvəs bət juː nəʊ hiː sæt ɪn ðə frʌnt rəʊ ənd ɑːskt ˈfrendli ˈkwestʃənz səʊ aɪ kʊd faɪnd maɪ ˈrɪðəm/

At the end of the day, having a mentor like that makes the hard parts of theory feel not just doable but deeply rewarding.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈmentɔː laɪk ðæt meɪks ðə hɑːd pɑːts əv ˈθɪəri fiːl nɒt dʒʌst ˈduːəbəl bət ˈdiːpli rɪˈwɔːdɪŋ/

part 3

How can children feel happy?

I suppose children are happiest when their days have balance: study is structured but not all-consuming, and there is room for unstructured play. Well, or rather, health fundamentals—adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and nutritious food—set the baseline for positive mood and attention. Beyond that, meaningful activities matter: music, sports, coding clubs, even school gardening can generate intrinsic motivation and a sense of purpose. You know, supportive adults—parents, teachers, and often grandparents in Chinese families—should listen without judgment and help children name their emotions, which strengthens emotional regulation. If we also encourage pro-social behaviour like helping classmates, children gain self-worth from contribution, not just comparison. At the end of the day, balanced routines plus purposeful engagement create durable happiness.

I suppose children are happiest when their days have balance: study is structured but not all-consuming, and there is room for unstructured play.
/aɪ səˈpəʊz ˈtʃɪl.drən ɑː ˈhæp.i.ɪst wen ðeə deɪz hæv ˈbæl.əns ˈstʌd.i ɪz ˈstrʌk.tʃəd bʌt nɒt ˌɔːl.kənˈsjuː.mɪŋ ænd ðeə ɪz ruːm fɔː ʌnˈstrʌk.tʃəd pleɪ/

Well, or rather, health fundamentals—adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and nutritious food—set the baseline for positive mood and attention.
/wel ɔː ˈrɑː.ðə helθ ˌfʌn.dəˈmen.təlz ˈæd.ɪ.kwət sliːp ˈreɡ.jə.lə ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl ækˈtɪv.ɪ.ti ænd njuːˈtrɪʃ.əs fuːd set ðə ˈbeɪs.laɪn fɔː ˈpɒz.ɪ.tɪv muːd ænd əˈten.ʃən/

Beyond that, meaningful activities matter: music, sports, coding clubs, even school gardening can generate intrinsic motivation and a sense of purpose.
/bɪˈjɒnd ðæt ˈmiː.nɪŋ.fəl ækˈtɪvətiz ˈmæt.ə ˈmjuː.zɪk spɔːts ˈkəʊ.dɪŋ klʌbz ˈiː.vən skuːl ˈɡɑː.dən.ɪŋ kæn ˈdʒen.ə.reɪt ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪk ˌməʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən ænd ə sens ɒv ˈpɜː.pəs/

You know, supportive adults—parents, teachers, and often grandparents in Chinese families—should listen without judgment and help children name their emotions, which strengthens emotional regulation.
/juː nəʊ səˈpɔː.tɪv ˈæd.ʌlts ˈpeə.rənts ˈtiː.tʃəz ænd ˈɒf.ən ˈɡrændˌpeə.rənts ɪn ˌtʃaɪˈniːz ˈfæm.əl.iz ʃʊd ˈlɪs.ən wɪˈðaʊt ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt ænd help ˈtʃɪl.drən neɪm ðeə ɪˈməʊ.ʃənz wɪtʃ ˈstreŋ.θənz ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl ˌreɡ.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

If we also encourage pro-social behaviour like helping classmates, children gain self-worth from contribution, not just comparison.
/ɪf wiː ˈɔːl.səʊ ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ prəʊˈsəʊ.ʃəl bɪˈheɪ.vjə laɪk ˈhelp.ɪŋ ˈklɑːs.meɪts ˈtʃɪl.drən ɡeɪn ˌselfˈwɜːθ frɒm ˌkɒn.trɪˈbjuː.ʃən nɒt dʒʌst kəmˈpær.ɪ.sən/

At the end of the day, balanced routines plus purposeful engagement create durable happiness.
/æt ðə end ɒv ðə deɪ ˈbæl.ənst ruːˈtiːnz plʌs ˈpɜː.pəs.fəl ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt kriˈeɪt ˈdʒʊə.rə.bəl ˈhæp.i.nəs/

What's the difference between adults'and children's happiness?

Let me see… I think the core difference lies in what happiness is grounded in. Children tend to experience hedonic pleasure—play, novelty, immediate affirmation—because their world is present-oriented and largely curated by adults. By contrast, adults report more eudaimonic well-being: a sense of purpose, contribution, and mastery. In my case as a physics postgraduate, finishing a simulation that finally converges is not exactly “fun,” but it produces enduring satisfaction. Children’s happiness is often relationship-dependent—warmth, predictability, and play—whereas adults must balance autonomy and responsibility, so happiness comes from meaningful roles rather than pure enjoyment. At the end of the day, children are happy when life is safe, playful, and affirming, while adults are happy when life feels coherent, purposeful, and self-directed.

Let me see… I think the core difference lies in what happiness is grounded in. /lɛt miː siː aɪ θɪŋk ðə kɔː ˈdɪfərəns laɪz ɪn wɒt ˈhæpɪnəs ɪz ˈgraʊndɪd ɪn/

Children tend to experience hedonic pleasure—play, novelty, immediate affirmation—because their world is present-oriented and largely curated by adults. /ˈʧɪldrən tɛnd tuː ɪkˈspɪəriəns hɪˈdɒnɪk ˈplɛʒə pleɪ ˈnɒvəlti ɪˈmiːdiət ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən bɪˈkɒz ðeə wɜːld ɪz ˈprɛzənt ˈɔːrientɪd ænd ˈlɑːʤli kjʊəˈreɪtɪd baɪ ˈædʌlts/

By contrast, adults report more eudaimonic well-being: a sense of purpose, contribution, and mastery. /baɪ ˈkɒntrɑːst ˈædʌlts rɪˈpɔːt mɔː juːˈdaɪˌmɒnɪk wɛl ˈbiːɪŋ ə sɛns əv ˈpɜːpəs ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃən ænd ˈmɑːstəri/

In my case as a physics postgraduate, finishing a simulation that finally converges is not exactly “fun,” but it produces enduring satisfaction. /ɪn maɪ keɪs æz ə ˈfɪzɪks ˌpəʊstˈɡrædjʊɪt ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ ə ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪʃən ðæt ˈfaɪnəli kənˈvɜːʤɪz ɪz nɒt ɪgˈzæktli fʌn bʌt ɪt prəˈdjuːsɪz ɪnˈdjʊərɪŋ ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/

Children’s happiness is often relationship-dependent—warmth, predictability, and play—whereas adults must balance autonomy and responsibility, so happiness comes from meaningful roles rather than pure enjoyment. /ˈʧɪldrənz ˈhæpɪnəs ɪz ˈɒfən rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp dɪˈpɛndənt wɔːmθ prɪˌdɪktəˈbɪləti ænd pleɪ weərˈæz ˈædʌlts mʌst ˈbæləns ɔːˈtɒnəmi ænd rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti səʊ ˈhæpɪnəs kʌmz frɒm ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl rəʊlz ˈrɑːðə ðæn pjʊə ɪnˈʤɔɪmənt/

At the end of the day, children are happy when life is safe, playful, and affirming, while adults are happy when life feels coherent, purposeful, and self-directed. /æt ðiː ɛnd əv ðə deɪ ˈʧɪldrən ə ˈhæpi wɛn laɪf ɪz seɪf ˈpleɪfʊl ænd əˈfɜːmɪŋ waɪl ˈædʌlts ə ˈhæpi wɛn laɪf fiːlz kəʊˈhɪərənt ˈpɜːpəsfʊl ænd sɛlf dəˈrɛktɪd/

Do you think everyone shares a similar definition of happiness?

Let me see… I don’t think there’s a single, universal definition of happiness. It’s socially constructed and life-stage dependent. In more collectivist settings, happiness may be framed as familial harmony and social belonging, whereas in more individualistic contexts, it’s tied to self-actualisation and personal achievement. Even within China, the emphasis shifts: my grandparents equate happiness with stability and health, while my lab mates talk about intellectual curiosity and academic recognition. As a theoretical-physics student, I feel genuinely happy when a proof finally holds, but my cousin in business values financial security and work–life balance. So, yes, there are shared elements—security, relationships, a sense of progress—but the weighting of those elements varies across cultures and ages. At the end of the day, happiness is a plural concept that people calibrate to their norms, roles, and responsibilities.

Let me see… I don’t think there’s a single, universal definition of happiness.
/let miː siː aɪ dəʊnt θɪŋk ðeəz ə ˈsɪŋ.ɡl ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.səl ˌdef.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən ɒv ˈhæp.i.nəs/

It’s socially constructed and life-stage dependent.
/ɪts ˈsəʊ.ʃəl.i kənˈstrʌk.tɪd ænd laɪf.steɪdʒ dɪˈpen.dənt/

In more collectivist settings, happiness may be framed as familial harmony and social belonging, whereas in more individualistic contexts, it’s tied to self-actualisation and personal achievement.
/ɪn mɔː kəˈlek.tɪ.vɪst ˈset.ɪŋz ˈhæp.i.nəs meɪ biː freɪmd æz fəˈmɪl.i.əl ˈhɑː.mə.ni ænd ˈsəʊ.ʃəl bɪˈlɒŋ.ɪŋ weərˈæz ɪn mɔː ˌɪn.dɪˌvɪdʒ.u.əˈlɪs.tɪk ˈkɒn.teksts ɪts taɪd tuː ˌselfˌæk.tʃuː.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ænd ˈpɜː.sən.əl əˈtʃiːv.mənt/

Even within China, the emphasis shifts: my grandparents equate happiness with stability and health, while my lab mates talk about intellectual curiosity and academic recognition.
/ˈiː.vən wɪˈðɪn ˈtʃaɪ.nə ðə ˈem.fə.sɪs ʃɪfts maɪ ˈɡrændˌpeə.rənts ɪˈkweɪt ˈhæp.i.nəs wɪð stəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti ænd helθ waɪl maɪ læb meɪts tɔːk əˈbaʊt ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl ˌkjʊə.riˈɒs.ɪ.ti ænd ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk ˌrek.əɡˈnɪʃ.ən/

As a theoretical-physics student, I feel genuinely happy when a proof finally holds, but my cousin in business values financial security and work–life balance.
/æz ə ˌθɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl.ˈfɪz.ɪks ˈstjuː.dənt aɪ fiːl ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn.li ˈhæp.i wen ə pruːf ˈfaɪ.nəl.i həʊldz bʌt maɪ ˈkʌzn ɪn ˈbɪznəs ˈvæl.juːz faɪˈnæn.ʃəl sɪˈkjʊə.rə.ti ænd wɜːk.laɪf ˈbæl.əns/

So, yes, there are shared elements—security, relationships, a sense of progress—but the weighting of those elements varies across cultures and ages.
/səʊ jes ðeə ɑː ʃeəd ˈel.ɪ.mənts sɪˈkjʊə.rə.ti rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪps ə sens ɒv ˈprəʊ.ɡres bʌt ðə ˈweɪ.tɪŋ ɒv ðəʊz ˈel.ɪ.mənts ˈveə.riz əˈkrɒs ˈkʌl.tʃəz ænd ˈeɪ.dʒɪz/

At the end of the day, happiness is a plural concept that people calibrate to their norms, roles, and responsibilities.
/æt ðə end ɒv ðə deɪ ˈhæp.i.nəs ɪz ə ˈplʊə.rəl ˈkɒn.sept ðæt ˈpiː.pəl ˈkæl.ɪ.breɪt tuː ðeə nɔːmz rəʊlz ænd rɪˌspɒn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.tiz/

Some people say that living in a happy city is boring. What do you think?

I don’t buy the idea that a “happy city” is inherently boring. Usually that label means high livability—safe streets, reliable transport, and accessible green space—which actually expands choice. You know, when commuting is short and services are predictable, people have time affluence to try things: community theatres, public lectures, weekend hackathons. As a theoretical-physics student in eastern China, I’m happier when the city is calm enough for deep work, but also culturally dense—bookstores, galleries, and science cafés near campus. The key is diversity of the public realm: if the city invests in libraries, maker spaces, and festivals, predictability in infrastructure coexists with novelty in culture. At the end of the day, livability is the platform; curation and participation determine how exciting it feels.

I don’t buy the idea that a “happy city” is inherently boring.
/aɪ dəʊnt baɪ ðə aɪˈdɪə ðæt ə ˈhæp.i ˈsɪt.i ɪz ɪnˈhɪə.rənt.li ˈbɔː.rɪŋ/

Usually that label means high livability—safe streets, reliable transport, and accessible green space—which actually expands choice.
/ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li ðæt ˈleɪ.bəl miːnz haɪ ˌlɪv.əˈbɪl.ə.ti seɪf striːts rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl ˈtræn.spɔːt ænd əkˈses.ə.bəl ɡriːn speɪs wɪtʃ ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li ɪkˈspændz tʃɔɪs/

You know, when commuting is short and services are predictable, people have time affluence to try things: community theatres, public lectures, weekend hackathons.
/juː nəʊ wen kəˈmjuː.tɪŋ ɪz ʃɔːt ænd ˈsɜː.vɪ.sɪz ɑː prɪˈdɪk.tə.bəl ˈpiː.pəl hæv taɪm ˈæf.lu.əns tuː traɪ θɪŋz kəˈmjuː.nə.ti ˈθɪə.təz ˈpʌb.lɪk ˈlek.tʃəz ˌwiːkˈend ˈhæk.ə.θɒnz/

Personally, I’m happier when the city is calm enough for deep work, but also culturally dense—bookstores, galleries, and science cafés near campus.
/æz ə ˌθɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl ˈfɪz.ɪks ˈstjuː.dənt ɪn ˈiː.stən ˈtʃaɪ.nə aɪm ˈhæp.i.ə wen ðə ˈsɪt.i ɪz kɑːm ɪˈnʌf fɔː diːp wɜːk bʌt ˈɔːl.səʊ ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl.i dens ˈbʊk.stɔːz ˈɡæl.ər.iz ænd ˈsaɪ.əns ˈkæf.eɪz nɪə ˈkæm.pəs/

The key is diversity of the public realm: if the city invests in libraries, maker spaces, and festivals, predictability in infrastructure coexists with novelty in culture.
/ðə kiː ɪz daɪˈvɜː.sə.ti ɒv ðə ˈpʌb.lɪk relm ɪf ðə ˈsɪt.i ɪnˈvests ɪn ˈlaɪ.brər.iz ˈmeɪ.kər ˈspeɪ.sɪz ænd ˈfes.tɪ.vəlz prɪˌdɪk.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti ɪn ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər ˌkəʊ.ɪɡˈzɪsts wɪð ˈnɒv.əl.ti ɪn ˈkʌl.tʃər/

At the end of the day, livability is the platform; curation and participation determine how exciting it feels.
/æt ðə end ɒv ðə deɪ ˌlɪv.əˈbɪl.ə.ti ɪz ðə ˈplæt.fɔːm kjʊəˈreɪ.ʃən ænd pɑːˌtɪs.ɪˈpeɪ.ʃən dɪˈtɜː.mɪn haʊ ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪŋ ɪt fiːlz/

Which do you think is more important in the workplace, happiness or high salaries?

Let me see… I would prioritise workplace happiness—by which I mean meaningful tasks, autonomy, psychological safety, and fair treatment—over purely high salaries. You know, once basic needs and a reasonable standard of living are met, the marginal utility of extra pay diminishes, while engagement and creativity still hinge on daily climate. In research settings, for example, a supportive PI, clear authorship norms, and access to good equipment raise productivity and retention far more than a slightly higher stipend. In other words, well-being drives sustained performance, whereas pay alone cannot offset burnout or cynical compliance. At the end of the day, a healthy culture converts talent into results.

Let me see… I would prioritise workplace happiness—by which I mean meaningful tasks, autonomy, psychological safety, and fair treatment—over purely high salaries.
/let miː siː aɪ wʊd praɪˈɒr.ɪ.taɪz ˈwɜːk.pleɪs ˈhæp.i.nəs baɪ wɪtʃ aɪ miːn ˈmiː.nɪŋ.fəl tɑːsks ɔːˈtɒn.ə.mi ˌsaɪ.kəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈseɪf.ti ænd feə ˈtriːt.mənt ˈəʊ.və ˈpjʊə.li haɪ ˈsæl.ər.iz/

You know, once basic needs and a reasonable standard of living are met, the marginal utility of extra pay diminishes, while engagement and creativity still hinge on daily climate.
/juː nəʊ wʌns ˈbeɪ.sɪk niːdz ænd ə ˈriː.zən.ə.bəl ˈstæn.dəd əv ˈlɪv.ɪŋ ɑː met ðə ˈmɑː.dʒɪ.nəl  juːˈtɪl.ə.ti əv ˈek.strə peɪ dɪˈmɪn.ɪ.ʃɪz waɪl ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt ænd ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ə.ti stɪl hɪndʒ ɒn ˈdeɪ.li ˈklaɪ.mət/

In research settings, for example, a supportive PI, clear authorship norms, and access to good equipment raise productivity and retention far more than a slightly higher stipend.
/ɪn ˈriː.sɜːtʃ ˈset.ɪŋz fə ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl ə səˈpɔː.tɪv ˌpiːˈaɪ klɪə ˈɔː.θə.ʃɪp nɔːmz ænd ˈæk.ses tə ɡʊd ɪˈkwɪp.mənt reɪz ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti ænd rɪˈten.ʃən fɑː mɔː ðən ə ˈslaɪt.li ˈhaɪ.ə ˈstaɪpend/

In other words, well-being drives sustained performance, whereas pay alone cannot offset burnout or cynical compliance.
/ɪn ˈʌð.ə wɜːdz ˌwel ˈbiː.ɪŋ draɪvz səˈsteɪnd pəˈfɔː.məns weərˈæz peɪ əˈləʊn ˈkæn.ɒt ˌɒfˈset ˈbɜːn.aʊt ɔː ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl kəmˈplaɪ.əns/

At the end of the day, a healthy culture converts talent into results.
/æt ðə end əv ðə deɪ ə ˈhel.θi ˈkʌl.tʃə kənˈvɜːts ˈtæl.ənt ˈɪn.tuː rɪˈzʌlts/

How can companies improve employee happiness?

To be honest, compensation still matters, but firms should think in terms of total rewards. Competitive pay and pay equity reduce anxiety; then learning and development—mentoring, internal mobility, funded courses—creates progression pathways. Add practical wellbeing supports: confidential counselling, ergonomic workplaces, and health initiatives that are easy to access rather than cosmetic. Come to think of it, even small investments—conference budgets, micro-grants for side projects, or quiet rooms—signal organisational respect. At the end of the day, combining material security, growth opportunities, and credible wellbeing provision is what sustains happiness over the long term.

To be honest, compensation still matters, but firms should think in terms of total rewards.
/tuː biː ˈɒn.ɪst ˌkɒm.penˈseɪ.ʃən stɪl ˈmæt.əz bʌt fɜːmz ʃʊd θɪŋk ɪn tɜːmz ɒv ˈtəʊ.təl rɪˈwɔːdz/

Competitive pay and pay equity reduce anxiety; then learning and development—mentoring, internal mobility, funded courses—creates progression pathways.
/kəmˈpet.ɪ.tɪv peɪ ænd peɪ ˈek.wɪ.ti rɪˈdjuːs æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti ðen ˈlɜː.nɪŋ ænd dɪˈvel.əp.mənt ˈmen.tɔː.rɪŋ ɪnˈtɜː.nəl məʊˈbɪl.ə.ti ˈfʌn.dɪd ˈkɔː.sɪz kriˈeɪts prəˈɡreʃ.ən ˈpɑːθ.weɪz/

Add practical wellbeing supports: confidential counselling, ergonomic workplaces, and health initiatives that are easy to access rather than cosmetic.
/æd ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl ˌwelˈbiː.ɪŋ səˈpɔːts ˌkɒn.fɪˈden.ʃəl ˈkaʊn.sel.ɪŋ ˌɜː.ɡəˈnɒm.ɪk ˈwɜːk.pleɪs.ɪz ænd helθ ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪvz ðæt ɑː ˈiː.zi tuː ˈæk.ses ˈrɑː.ðə ðæn kɒzˈmet.ɪk/

Come to think of it, even small investments—conference budgets, micro-grants for side projects, or quiet rooms—signal organisational respect.
/kʌm tuː θɪŋk ɒv ɪt ˈiː.vən smɔːl ɪnˈvest.mənts ˈkɒn.fər.əns ˈbʌdʒ.ɪts ˈmaɪ.krəʊ ɡrɑːnts fɔː saɪd ˈprɒdʒ.ekts ɔː ˈkwaɪ.ət ruːmz ˈsɪɡ.nəl ˌɔː.ɡə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən.əl rɪˈspekt/

At the end of the day, combining material security, growth opportunities, and credible wellbeing provision is what sustains happiness over the long term.
/æt ðiː end ɒv ðiː deɪ kəmˈbaɪ.nɪŋ məˈtɪə.ri.əl sɪˈkjʊə.rə.ti ɡrəʊθ ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.tiz ænd ˈkred.ɪ.bəl ˌwelˈbiː.ɪŋ prəˈvɪʒ.ən ɪz wɒt səˈsteɪnz ˈhæp.i.nəs ˈəʊ.və ðiː lɒŋ tɜːm/

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