We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards?
—Shawn Achor
Have you ever worked for someone that made you enjoy being around them? That you felt uplifted, happy, and inspired, and that you wanted to help them achieve desired results? Better yet, that YOU are that type of leader?
Psychologist Shawn Achor’s TedTalk shares that “happiness inspires us to be more productive”. Some leaders have a special gift (aka “Magic Dust”) that authentically influences the workplace happy factor.
Achor’s studies found that it’s not necessarily the reality that shapes us, but rather the lens through which our brains view the world that shapes our reality.
His studies provided some interesting data:
90 percent of our long-term happiness is predicted not by the external world, but by the way our brain processes the world
25% of job successes are predicted by IQ, and 75 percent of job successes are predicted by optimism levels.
He also shares that our brains can be re-wired to become more positive and provides the following five tips for creating lasting and positive change:
- Write down three new things that you’re grateful for 21 days in a row (each day must have 3 new items)
- Journal your positive experience
- Exercise
- Meditate
- Conduct random acts of kindness
Is an element of your magic dust the happy factor? How do you impact the happy factor of others?
Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.—Thomas Jefferson
The next leadership tip will include the Johari Window. This is very helpful for expanding on your Magic Dust. Your known and unknown gifts help you to become the very best leader.