Purpose: Amidst the new realities of the modern world, promoting optimism and career adaptability has become crucial for organizations to maintain a happy and satisfied workforce, which in turn is necessary to gain knowledge and remain competitive. This study tries to explore the role of optimism and career adaptability in promoting well-being and provide practical insights for organizations seeking to create a positive work environment that fosters employee happiness and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach – This study used a sample of 418 employees working in various Indian manufacturing organizations. PROCESS macro was used to test the hypotheses and explore the complex relationships between these variables while accounting for the potential influence of other factors.

Findings – The results revealed that career adaptability dimensions significantly influence life satisfaction wherein concern has a negative association and curiosity, control along with confidence are positively associated with life satisfaction. Also, employee optimism partially mediates this relationship in Indian manufacturing organizations.

Practical implications – Organizational development practitioners and human resource professionals are encouraged to prioritize interventions and practices that foster positive outlook and adaptability skills among employees. Ultimately, this can contribute to a more engaged and productive workforce, and help organizations maintain their competitive edge as well as aid in development of comprehensive employee well-being strategy.

Originality/value – This study adds to the Life Design paradigm and underscores the need for organizations to promote career adaptability and optimism as key factors in employee well-being. By investing in training and development programs that help employees build adaptability skills and a positive outlook, organizations can foster a more engaged and satisfied workforce, and ultimately gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.