Understanding what brings you joy at work, as well as what contributes to your colleagues’ job satisfaction, is key to grasping what motivates those around you.

Boston Consulting Group, in a 2014 survey of more than 200,000 people around the world, found these were 10 of the most important factors for employee happiness on the job:

• Company’s financial stability
• Job security
• Attractive fixed salary
• Company values
• Good work-life balance
• Appreciation for your work
• Good relationships with superiors
• Good relationships with colleagues
• Interesting job content
• Learning and career development

Take a moment and rate each of these items from one to 10, with one being the most important to your job satisfaction and 10 being the least important.

Here is how survey participants ranked these items in the BCG survey:

1. Appreciation for your work
2. Good relationships with colleagues
3. Good work-life balance
4. Good relationships with superiors
5. Company’s financial stability
6. Learning and career development
7. Job security
8. Attractive fixed salary
9. Interesting job content
10. Company values

Consider sharing your thoughts with your supervisor as well; they might be surprised by what aspects of the workplace you value most. On the other hand, many employees are unaware of their supervisor’s expectations. If you’re unsure, take the initiative to ask and clarify. It could be that they prioritize accurate work, a tidy desk at the end of the day, or maintaining a positive attitude. If you’re completing your tasks diligently but leaving your workspace messy, and your supervisor values cleanliness, it could negatively impact your evaluation.

Understanding these factors is also crucial for new employees as they learn what motivates their colleagues.