The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

Post date: Jan 7, 2014 1:50:25 PM

Book

Review

What I like best about The Happiness Advantage is that it is a very practical, readable book which incorporates the scientific evidence for its claims and strategies. Achor has an entertaining, anecdotal style, and writes with humour. The book is clearly structured around the 7 principles Achor has developed, which have helped his students (initially), and tens of thousands of people in the workplace (subsequently), to “overcome obstacles, reverse bad habits, become more efficient and productive, make the most of opportunities, conquer their most ambitious goals, and reach their fullest potential.” (p.18).

The seven principles increase employee happiness in the workplace and, through the Happiness Advantage, result in greater success at work and in life in general. I think we all have a lot to gain from a close reading of this book, and from incorporating some of the key ideas and principles into our own lives.

The considerable evidence for neuroplasiticity (the ability of the brain to rewire itself) lies at the heart of the principles in this book. There is clear evidence for the benefits of priming the brain with positive thought – leading to greater creativity and enhanced problem-solving skills. Each of the seven principles has a chapter devoted to it, containing scientific evidence for the principle, and strategies individuals can apply to their own situation.

Academic interest

This book is suitable for academics and non-academics alike, combining readability with thorough referencing of the scientific studies that underpin its claims.

Practitioners

A useful book for leaders and managers, as well as for individuals who wish to gain control over the stresses and pressures in their working lives. It contains much to challenge conventional management approaches and deserves careful reading.

Self-helpers

For those whose jobs enable them to influence the workplace, this book contains some useful ideas and strategies to improve staff performance and productivity whilst helping individuals to be happier in their jobs.

Best Bits

Achor summarises the implications of scientific findings:

“Studies show that simply believing we can bring about positive change in our lives increases motivation and job performance; that success, in essence, becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.” (p.74).

The implications for managers of a tendency to focus on weaknesses rather than strengths:

'How many well-meaning managers shoot themselves in the foot when they... remind those under them at work of their weaknesses? Conversely, as we've seen, when a manager openly expresses his faith in an employee's skills, he doesn't just improve mood and motivation; he actually improves their likelihood of succeeding..... the best managers and leaders view each interaction as an opportunity to praise their employees for excellence.''(p.81)

Some people jobs require them to scan for and focus on negatives (such as looking for errors). However, learning to turn our attention towards the positives has massive benefits:

'When our brains constantly scan for and focus on the positive, we profit from three of the most important tools available to us: happiness, gratitude, and optimism.' (p.97)

Achor emphasises the importance of a sense of control at work, even if it is over small things:

'One of the biggest drivers of success is the belief that our behaviour matters; that we have control over our future.... If, however, we first concentrate our efforts on small, manageable goals, we regain the feeling of control so crucial to performance.'(p.129)

Small, positive interactions at work have an important effect on our cardiovascular health, reducing stress hormones in our system and offering us some resilience to work stressors:

'Studies show that each positive interaction employees have during the course of the working day actually helps return the cardiovascular system back to resting level (a benefit termed “work recovery”), and that over the long haul, employees with more of these interactions become protected from the negative effects of job strain.' (p.178)

About the author

Shawn Achor is a Harvard lecturer. In 2006 he led new module in happiness. He currently leads a consulting firm focusing on the application of the 7 principles laid out in this book.