The Happiness Advantage
Last Monday I got to see Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage, speak live. He is so funny, so smart and his work is fascinating. Here’s a study his team did that I love.
When an individual looks at a mountain peak, they will report that the peak has a steeper pitch and looks more difficult to climb. When a person has just one other person standing next to them, they will report that peak as being less steep, easier to climb. It turns out that to be more optimistic, work is the perfect place to start. When groups of us work together, we can measurable shift our optimism, creativity and productivity. It is amazing stuff.
Here’s an exercise. Before your next meeting (let’s assume 10 people or fewer), take 90 seconds total for each person to say one thing they are grateful for that another team member did in the past week. Do it round robin, so that everyone gives and gets one acknowledgment. Specificity and recency are important. One of the teams I worked with this week did this at the start of their off-site and reported the most productive meeting they’ve ever had.
I hope you pick up this book. I am officially adding it to Claire’s Faves (see my website).