BUSINESS

HAPPINESS ?

“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness …” Dalai Lama

JOB SATISFACTION

“THE POWER OF HAPPINESS”:Roger Martin at HBR

WHY happiness matters.

What GENERATES happiness.

Three DIMENSIONS of happiness.

i) one’s perceived value in the eyes of the relevant community.

ii) how much the self values the community in question.

iii) the degree to which the community is valued by others outside of it.

Implications for business LEADERS.

C

S O

HAPPINESS AT WORK vs. STANDARD MBA PROFILE

It’s about the process, not the outcome.   vs Outcome is all that matters. (vision)

Paradox— Insist on your way, lose your goal. vs Aggressive risk rewarded. (stress)

You play a role, you are not the role. vs My prestigious MBA defines me. (recognition)

It’s not about $$$.  It’s about the why.  vs It’s all about the $$$. (sacrifice)

The models are not reality. vs Prestigious MBA + well-paying job = reality. (anger)

“Before taking the class, they’d never

heard anyone encourage them to get a deep sense of meaning from what they wanted to do

professionally. “

SAS: BEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD

Initial pERKS: Free M&M’S.

Fitness Center / Day CARE / Medical Care.

35- hour Week / NO Dress Code.

Masseur / Putting GREEN / Cafeteria.

PROFITABILITY / Loyalty.

COMMITTED CEO vs Pleasing Shareholders.

“I am basically my own board. “ James

Goodnight

www.sas.com/presscenter/fortune11/

COCA COLA: HAPPINESS TRUCK

We DELIVER happiness.

Happiness IS subjective: SWEET.

We BUILD happiness for you.

Happiness can be FREE: just PUSH.

Happiness is PRODUCT-ORIENTED.

CHILDREN are the happiness barometer.

“Where will happiness strike next?”

“No words needed.“

www.youtube.com

ALAIN DE BOTTON

Career crisis = HOPES vs. REALITY ... Why?

Why material goods? = emotional reward.

Huge expectations for realization: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

Spirit of EQUALITY ENVY.

MERITOCRACY: Winner OR Loser (deserved!)

Role of FORTUNE in life: tragic art.

Human heroes vs. TRANSCENDENTAL.

“Success yes, but let’s probe our ideas of

success.”

www.ted.com

QUESTIONING: JOB HAPPINESSWhat is HAPPINESS? Is it simply SUBJECTIVE? If subjective, then WHO decides? Each and everyone of us? Or is happiness COMMUNAL? Can you TEACH happiness? Is it SUCCESS?

What makes the employees in your company HAPPY? Can you MEASURE it? How? Does THAT make sense? Is there a relation EMPLOYEE HAPPINESS and CUSTOMER HAPPINESS? Do happy employees make happy customers? Or is it the other way around?

What does a happy CEO/MANAGER look like/do? Can you give examples? Does one think of Steve Jobs as happy? Can a LEADER be happy? But isn´t leading ALL about self-sacrifice? Isn’t this why many CEOs say they DESERVE their BONUSES? Can a salary become PAYMENT for unhappiness?

Is JOB SATISFACTION the same as JOB HAPPINESS? How important is your WORK in relation to your OVERALL happiness as a human being? Would you stay in a position if you were UNHAPPY?

Are some jobs HAPPIER than others? Why? What is the HAPPIEST job?

BUT MOST IMPORTANT: How happy are YOU?

HAPPINESS IN ACTION: DALAI LAMA

www.dalailamafilm.com

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy”