Only 10 percent of employees define career success in terms of high performance and productivity, according to a global career survey of employees released last month, which also found that almost half rank work-life balance as their primary career aspiration.

Right Management, a division of ManpowerGroup, commissioned the survey, and noted that the results highlight an ongoing disconnect between employee aspirations and the performance demands of

“High performers have a disproportionate impact on business results,” said Mara Swan, global leader of Right Management and executive vice president of ManpowerGroup. “Talent shortages for in-demand skills persist and have caused HR departments worldwide to rethink how they develop and motivate individuals to meet performance goals,” Swan said.

In addition to finding that 45 percent of employees rank work-life balance as their No. 1 career aspiration, Right Management’s Global Career Aspiration survey also found that the top definition of workplace success is enjoyment and happiness, selected by 26 percent of respondents.

Here’s a full breakdown of the top five definitions of success by survey respondents:

• Happiness/enjoyment, 26 percent
• Salary, 19 percent
• Doing the best work, 18 percent
• Respect and recognition, 15 percent
• High performance, 10 percent

“People are happy and engaged at work when they are inspired,” said Swan. “Understanding employee career motivations and aspirations is key to creating a high performance culture that motivates individuals to do their best work.”

Career aspirations were ranked as follows:

• Achieve work-life balance, 45 percent
• Be the best at what I do, 17 percent
• Earn a lot of money, 13 percent
• Help other people, 11 percent
• Help society, 6 percent

According to a statement about the survey, millennials (14 percent) are least likely to aspire to be the best at what they do compared to baby boomers (22 percent) and Gen X (17 percent).

Only 3 percent of employees globally aspire to achieve a prominent position.

Asked about expectations for leaders, 53 percent of employees said respect for their knowledge and experience is at the top of their lists. Others include mutual trust (51 percent), transparency (37 percent), learning and development (32 percent) and a relationship of equals regardless of job title (30 percent).

The survey also asked employees about expectations for colleagues, and about what would prompt them to leave their jobs. Here, better work-life balance and higher pay came in a dead heat, with 35 percent of respondents indicating each of the motivation for job changes.

About The Global Career Aspiration Survey:

The Global Career Aspiration Survey was commissioned by Right Management in Q4 2014 to better understand career motivations and how perceptions and motivations are shifting in the workplace. The survey included results from 1,225 respondents in Canada, USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Australia, India and Singapore.

Source: Right Management/ ManpowerGroup