The world Happiness Report for 2013-2015 lists the following countries in the top 10- Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia and Switzerland. South Africa is ranked 116[1].
So what?
The importance of happiness was highlighted in a recent Harvard Business School (HBS) webinar led by Neil Pasricha Director of the Institute for Global Happiness. Neil proposed that a happy team is 31% more productive. Their sales increases by 37%, their creativity is 3x higher and happy people live 10 years longer[2]!
If this is true, then surely leader managers should see happiness as critical to business performance.
Neil went on to suggest 5 ways to achieve happiness (you only need to practice1):
- Brisk walks in nature – 20 minutes per day
- Keep a journal – 20 min per day
- Random act of kindness – 5 per week
- Meditate – 10 minutes per day
- Recall gratitudes – 5 per day
I actually do think it’s that simple….
Why do you and your teams give it a try?
[1] http://worldhappiness.report/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/03/HR-V1Ch2_web.pdf
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