The Science of Happiness at WorkApril 11, 2019

Key Takeaways

Happiness Drives Performance and Engagement

You Can Increase Your Happiness

You Can Spread Happiness

Defining HappinessInvigorated

Resilient

Dedicated

Energetic

Inspired

Enthusiastic

Proud

Engrossed

Fulfilled

Motivated

Affirmed

Sense of MeaningSenseofBelonging

SenseofSignificance

Valued

Optimistic

Interested

Courageous

Confident

Self-Efficacious

Satisfied

Tranquil

Serene

Relaxed

Recovered

Calm

Content

Awe

Kind

Joy

Love

Compassion

My

Stor

y

- Sold to Merck $350M- Sold to Eli Lilly, $315- Sold to Eisai, $325M- Sold to Biogen Idec, $250M

VP, Business Development

Positive Psychology

Evidence Based Happiness

Introducing Habits/Neuroplasticity/Gratitude• Shows 6 months of benefit from 21 days • Leads to conversation about neuroplasticity• Uses gratitude habit as an example

[Show Shawn Achor proprietary white board video]

GratitudeExercise•Writedownthreethingsyouaregratefulforandwhy• Bespecific• Take2minutesrightnow

Gratitu

de

Pairup• Shareonething• Bepresentwhilelistening

Source: Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside

What Determines Happiness?

External Circumstances10%

Actions and Thoughts

40%

Genes50%

Happiness & You

• Are healthier

• Have stronger relationships

• Are more resilient

• Infect others

• Live longer

Happy people:

Talk to your neighbor...

In what ways have you seen happy people make

a positive impact at work?

Happiness & Success

• 31% higher productivity

• 37% greater sales success

• 19% more accurate in work tasks

• 3X more creative

• Less burnout, fewer sick days

Happy employees:

Happiness & Success

Actively disengaged, unhappy workers “cost the US economy $480B-$600B each year”

Hap

pine

ss a

nd

Enga

gem

ent

Persistent

Challenged

Go the Extra Mile

Extra Effort

Loyalty

Focused

Proactive

Committed

Doesn’t Support Engagement

Employees and Leaders

ALIGNEDEmployees Often Resist

Emotions that define work engagement and personal happiness

Invigorated

Resilient

Dedicated

Energetic

Inspired

Enthusiastic

Strongly involved

Proud

Engrossed

Fulfilled

Motivated Affirmed

Sense of Meaning

Sense of Belonging

Sense of Significance

Valued

Optimistic

Interested Courageous Confident

In-the -Zone

Self-EfficaciousSatisfied

Tranquil

Serene

Relaxed

Recovered

Calm

Content

Conscious Acts of Kindness Video• Happiness value of kindness• Adapt to simple, repeatable, work optimized habit• I’ll tie to email/text or using Facebook “Spot

Thanks” (let’s make sure I get the name right)

[Show 2nd Shawn Achor proprietary white board video]

ConsciousActsofKindnessExercise• Thinkaboutyourlastcoupledays• Jotdownseveralpeoplewhodeservesomerecognition,praiseorencouragement• Coworkers,familymembers,friends,etc.• Whatfor?Bespecific.

SendOne

Lunch…

OtherHappinessHabits• Exercise• MindfulnessMeditation• LovingKindnessMeditation• JournalingonMeaning• SavoringJournalInformationisnottransformation• Committoone– 21daysYou Partner

Habit: Habit:Time of Day:

Time of Day:

First step to take:

How checkin:

Gratitude

Before bed

Write reminder in my calendar right now

Meditation

After wakeup

Coffee each Tuesday; email checkin Friday.

• Gratitude• ConsciousActsofKindness

Happiness Habit Commitment/Raffle Ticket

1. Enter Raffle? Write your

name.

2. Free copy of Eric’s eBook, “the Six

Happiness Habits,” give me your

email

3. Sign up for Happiness Infusion

Emails? Check the box

5. What life habit have you committed

to?

6. Answer two quick survey

questions…

Responses?

Spreading Happiness

• Infectious• Express it • Integrate into work

Work Routines (Interpersonal)What • Repeated process • Group habits

Why• Not recreate processes • Happen automatically• Efficiency – Not have to be

proactive

Examples• Weekly planning meetings• Project meetings• End of day huddle • Eating lunch• Coaching one-on-ones• Walking the floor

Work Routines (Interpersonal)INDIVIDUALLY write down 5 interpersonal work routines –daily, weekly, biweekly 1. .2. .3. .4. .5. .

Happiness Advantage Principles

Mindset Matters – Help others feel more positive emotions

Tetris Effect – Help other scan for and find the good stuff; rewiring

Social Investment – Strengthen connection with one another

Work RoutinesRoutine Embedded positive practice

Weekly one on one meetings

• Ask for one good thing a team member did this week

Weekly project meeting

• Share a photo that makes you happy • Pair off and share a gratitude

LunchTeam Coffee

• Team has lunch together weekly• 10 minute coffee Mon. 10am

Mindset Matters Tetris Effect Social Investment

Create Poster

10 Examples

Choose One to Champion

INDIVIDUALLY – Which of these great ideas would you like to see happen?

What are the steps needed to make it happen?

Discussion / Questions

Raffle

Key Takeaways

Happiness Drives Performance and Engagement

You Can Increase Your Happiness

You Can Spread Happiness

Thank you!