Abstract

Work is a central element of human well-being and, at its best, also a source of happiness. Where and when can one have the experience of success at work? One group of workers are excellent describers of these kinds of experiences of success; namely those employees who have been awarded as “the employees of the year”. In this article, Finnish top workers’ (N=24) descriptions of their experiences at work are analyzed: 1) how do they describe their experiences of success and 2) what are the core factors of this experience? The data were collected in two phases by questionnaires and interviews. Based on the results, a model that illustrates the connection between individual and communal factors and the possibility to experience success at work was created. The results can be utilized for promoting well-being and opportunities to experience success at work.