Happiness At Work

The world’s largest trial of the four-day work week was recently conducted in the UK. And the results were hard to ignore. Many participants said that “no amount of money” could get them to go back to the way things were.  Today we sit down with Juan Gutiérrez Plaza, an executive with the London-based company Scoro, which has fully and successfully adopted a four-day workweek. We talk about its implementation, its impacts on employee happiness and productivity, and Plaza's recommendations for other leaders who are considering the move from five days to four. We also discuss some additional Scoro intiatives, which are providing employees with more choice, agency, and flexibility in their careers.  Learn more about Juan and Scoro here: https://www.scoro.com/blog/life-at-scoro-interview-with-vp-of-engineering-juan-gutierrez-plaza/ In a post-pandemic world, workers want to retain their flexibility and have the best of both worlds: an office to meet and collaborate in, and the freedom to work remotely. The new no

Careers never follow a straight path. There are ups, there are downs, and there are wild circles and zig-zags.  But what happens when the path just... stops?  What happens when we get stuck in a position or a state of mind for so long that it begins to feel permanent? How can we shake off that feeling of paralysis, and get moving again? Today we sit down with Markus Neukom, a leadership coach, business strategist, and CEO who specializes in helping leaders get unstuck, enabling them to create meaningful, lasting change for themselves and their organizations. Learn more about Markus and his company, Markus Neukom International, here: https://www.markusneukom.com/ There are a lot of management models and theories out there, and they all sound great. The problem is that they can be heavy on theory, which we don't always know how to implement impractical terms. For example: What can you do concretely on a Tuesday afternoon to work better with your colleagues?   People need actionable advice - things they can sta

In business, we have metrics for everything. ROI, CPM… KPI’s for every aspect of our products, our marketing, and our sales. But when it comes to workplace culture, many organizations seem to leave analytics behind.  Today we sit down with Anthony Vaughan, a prolific talent strategist, people leader, podcaster, and the founder of The E1B2 Collective, a company working to change how organizations view the employee experience. We discuss how businesses can build a people-first working environment that not only makes employees happier, but produces quantifiable results. Learn more about The E1B2 Collective here: https://www.e1b2collective.com/ **Would you like to engage in meaningful conversations with inspiring, supportive, and fun leaders from all over the world? Now you can. In the Management 3.0 Membership Community, we have over 300 leaders from more than 50 countries willing to share their experience. Immerse Yourself, embrace diversity, be brave, and find the accountability, support, and tools to help you

It takes a lot of effort to build a positive - and empowering - workplace culture, especially in today’s world of digital offices and remote work. But what happens when things start to go wrong? How can leaders tell when their culture is faltering, and what steps can they take to get back on track? Today we sit down with prolific tech leader and workplace culture expert Anna Marie Clifton. She discusses her work with companies like Asana, Coinbase, Yammer, and Vowel, and her unique approach to workplace culture "makeovers," which can help organizations identify problems, shift workforce perspectives, and transform even the most toxic environments in as little as six weeks.  Find Anna Marie on Twitter @TweetAnnaMarie, and learn more about Vowel here: https://www.vowel.com/ **In a post-pandemic world, workers want to retain their flexibility and have the best of both worlds: an office to meet and collaborate in, and the freedom to work remotely. The new norm is "hybrid," but what does this mean in practice? Wha

People often think of emotional intelligence as a personality trait. You’re either born with it, or you’re not. But emotional intelligence is a set of skills. It can honed and developed over time, allowing us to better understand ourselves, maintain positive relationships, and cope with major challenges in effective ways.  Today we sit down with Robin Hills, director of Ei4Change, a global organization that has provided emotional intelligence training and coaching to more than 250,000 people all over the world. We’ll discuss his work, his books on emotional intelligence, resilience, and behavior in the workplace, and how emotional intelligence is helping business leaders and professionals navigate challenges and build happier, more fulfilling careers. Learn more about Robin here: https://ei4change.com/ **How can we connect with others? How well can we articulate what we're feeling? How do we control our emotions? And what would it look like if we're able to accurately understand what people around us are thin

Happiness can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s achieving a lifelong goal. For others, it’s landing a dream job, or making an impact on the world or building a better life for family and friends. And for some, it’s simply a long string of good days.  Today we sit down with Ian Sanders, a renowned storytelling trainer, professional optimism instructor, and author of the acclaimed book 365 Ways To Have a Good Day. We’ll discuss his storied career, his many detours, and how, after decades of trying, he finally learned how to string enough good days together to build a rewarding, happy life.  Learn more about Ian, The Ian Sanders Company, and 365 Ways to Have a Good Day here: https://www.iansanders.com/ **What leads to a happy life? What are the various ways to be happy?    Happiness means different things to each of us. And, after doing extensive research, Management 3.0 founder Jurgen Appelo discovered the common thread: Happiness is something we create. It is not something to achieve.

Why is it that, no matter how far we climb in our careers, so many of us struggle to find happiness? Why are stress, anxiety, and burnout so prevalent in our working lives? It turns out… we may have our brains to blame.  Today we sit down with Ashish Kothari, founder and CEO of Happiness Squad and author of the bestselling new book “Hardwired for Happiness." We discuss the biology of fear, the science of happiness, and how Ashish's inspiring personal journey led him to seek out answers for some of life's most vexing questions.  Ashish also shares some large-scale strategies and simple, everyday practices that can help us move beyond our biology, and live with more joy, love, and meaning. Learn more about Ashish Kothari and Happiness Squad here: https://happinesssquad.com/  Want to learn more about "ikigai?" Management 3.0 facilitator Kumiko Sugiyama takes a comprehensive look at this Japanese concept in her recent blog: https://management30.com/blog/japanese-ikigai/ You can also dive deeper into the concept o

Here on the podcast we obviously believe in the concept of Happiness at Work – the power we all have to create more enjoyable work experiences for ourselves, and our colleagues. But we also recognize that work isn’t everything. At the end of the day, we all want to clock out, take a deep breath, and enjoy our lives. The world, however, doesn’t make that easy.   Today we speak with Katie Jefcoat, a happiness curator and kindness crusader who has made it her mission to help people find true balance between their to-do list and their want-to-do list. We discuss her proven, five-step method for defining priorities, establishing boundaries, and intentionally enjoying the most meaningful parts of our lives.   Learn more about Katie here: https://www.katiejefcoat.com/  **What leads to a happy life? What are the various ways to be happy? Happiness means different things to each of us.  After doing extensive research, Management 3.0 founder Jurgen Aplo discoverer the common thread: Happiness is something we create. I

Many organizations and business leaders see the internet as a tool, a way to expand their reach and connect with new customers, clients, and partners across the globe. Luis Adrian Salazar sees it a little bit differently. He and his fully remote company, SafetyWing, are working to build a “country” on the internet, removing the barrier of geographical borders to create equal opportunities, freedom, and a social safety net for people all over the world. Learn more about SafetyWing here: https://safetywing.com/ **What leads to a happy life? What are the various ways to be happy? Happiness means different things to each of us.  After doing extensive research, Management 3.0 founder Jurgen Aplo discoverer the common thread: Happiness is something we create. It is not something to achieve. It is a path you choose, not a destination to arrive at. So many of us spend our lives in pursuit of happiness. Instead of searching for it, we need to find ways to live it, embrace it, and implement it into our daily lives. Tha

What’s the difference between a boss, and a leader? One has a title. And one has… something else. Today, we sit down with Jeff Gibbard, a renowned author, strategist, and founder of The Superhero Institute, to discuss what that “something else” is, and the skills and strategies leaders can use to set – and achieve – higher goals for both themselves and their organizations. Learn more about Jeff here: https://jeffgibbard.com/ There are a lot of management models and theories out there, and they all sound great. The problem is that they can be heavy on theory, which we don't always know how to implement impractical terms. For example: What can you do concretely on a Tuesday afternoon to work better with your colleagues? People need actionable advice - things they can start doing next week. That's where Management 3.0 comes in. We have modules, practices, a membership community, and Forward Conferences. We have everything you need in your leadership journey as you seek to produce tangible, real-world results. Ch

While the storm of the pandemic may be receding, some analysts and officials are concerned that a new dark cloud may be forming on the horizon – a possible global recession. For businesses and employees who are still baling water after the last few years, this is not welcome news. But while we may not be able change the economic weather, there are tools and strategies we can use to prepare, respond – and possibly even navigate around – the worst of the storm. Today we speak with Ginny Clarke, CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC, and former Director of Executive Recruiting at Google. She discusses her advice for today's leaders and workers, and offers a framework that individuals can use to sure up their ships, stay afloat in rough seas, and chart a course for a calmer, happier, and more rewarding destination. Learn more about Ginny at https://www.ginnyclarke.com/ Did you know that Management 3.0 has a module entirely dedicated to hiring great people? It helps participants answer some of our most common and difficult que

The workplace evolution of the past few years has opened up new opportunities for employees across the globe. But it’s also created a sense of unease. As some companies transition to remote or hybrid work and embrace employee-first philosophies, others are laying off staff and increasing their demands on those employees who remain. Employees may feel insecure in their roles, afraid that any misstep or miscommunication could put their job at risk as well. Today we speak with workplace expert and renowned consultant Teresa Mitrovic, who coaches Fortune 500 companies on the value of promoting psychological safety in their workplaces. This approach, when adopted properly, can radically improve employee happiness and performance, giving team members more control over their working lives and lifting the pressures that can lead to dissatisfaction, unhappiness and burnout. Learn more about Teresa here: https://www.orocollective.space/. And, for a limited time, podcast listeners can use the promo code HAW50 to receive

Any sports fan knows that it’s easy to coach a team when you’re on a winning streak. The real challenge begins when things start to go wrong. Business is the same way. Even the most harmonious work environments can struggle – or fall apart – in the face of unforeseen crises. The most successful leaders are those who work proactively to create a positive workplace culture, and embrace forward-thinking problem-solving strategies and employee wellbeing, in both good times and bad. Today we sit down with John Robertson, a workforce wellness expert, culture alignment specialist, and the founder and president of FORTLOG Services, a company that specializes in actively helping organizations manage transitions, including workplace change and upheaval, conflict and stress, crisis, and trauma. He offers his recommendations for leaders hoping to build a thriving workplace with fully engaged employees, which will be able to withstand any challenge the world can throw at it.  Learn more about John and FORTLOG Services her

Finding happiness at work isn’t easy. It can take years of self-discovery, risk-taking, mistakes, and perseverance. Today's guest did all of those things and, after 20 years, finally had what should have been her dream job. She was the first Indian American woman – and one of the youngest people ever – to make partner at a world-renowned professional services firm, and she was a pioneer for women in her field. But what should have been the happy ending to her story, turned out to be an awakening to the realities of her position. And it became the first chapter of an entirely new journey. We sit down with Deepa Purushothaman, a celebrated author, speaker, program leader, and visionary champion for professional women of color. She discusses her work, her journey, and her powerful book "The First, The Few, The Only." Learn more about Deepa here: https://www.deepapuru.com/ In this episode we talk about the essence of diverse teams, bringing everyone to the table to solve complex problems. Modern organizations sh

Every organization, every leader, and every employee has an identifiable strength: something they can do or create or contribute that separates them from all others in their field. Businesses and organizations that embrace this concept are more likely to create harmonious, happy and productive teams that complement each other and thrive. And, as we’ll hear today, they can have some fun in the process. We sit down with Ryan Berhman, owner of Systemic Agility, a training and consulting organisation, and owner, facilitator and trainer with StrongSuits, a systemic team and organisational strengths development tool, based on insights from modern psychology. His discusses his experience working with hundreds of managers, coaches and teams to collaborate, innovate, and work more effectively and joyfully together. He also shares how his newest venture takes the phrase “play to your strengths” to a whole new level. Learn more about Ryan and StrongSuits here: https://strongsuits.com/  **Have you ever pondered th

Ah, technology. The double-edged sword of the working world. Cell phones and email have made the world smaller, connecting employers and employees, businesses and customers, and allowing a generation of workers to find opportunities and even launch businesses from anywhere in the world. But they’ve also blurred the lines between the office and home. A study conducted during the pandemic found that 70 percent of remote workers were clocking in on the weekends. And after-hours emails have become such a problem, that some cities have attempted to make them illegal. Today we talk with Dustin DeVries, co-founder of Caffeine Interactive Technologies, a web mobile development agency with a remote team featuring professionals from across the globe. He discusses his attempts to push back, evening the scales of the work-life balance for himself, and his team.  **Have you ever pondered about the following questions?** How do we give people and their happiness the attention they deserve in our organizations and trans

Culture has been a buzzword in the business world for decades now. And, in many instances, that’s all it was: an empty word. But in recent years, as competition for quality employees has increased, workplace culture is no longer an afterthought. For companies who take it seriously, it can be both a recruiting tool, and a competitive advantage. And it has the added benefit of bringing just a little more happiness into the world. Today we sit down with master coach and Delivering Happiness Culture Chief Sunny Grosso, who has spent years helping companies across the globe build and grow strong, distinct workplace cultures. We discuss what she’s learned in her work, and her recommendations for business leaders hoping to move past the buzzwords, and get down to the business of making people happy at work. Learn more about Sunny here: https://www.deliveringhappiness.com/sunny-grosso *This podcast was recorded LIVE on LinkedIn. Follow us for future live interviews here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/management-30

A good story can change an opinion, can change a vote… it can change the way we see the world and our place in it. But stories also play a powerful role in our working lives. Businesses and organizations can rise or fall based on the stories they tell their employees, their customers, their partners, and the public. Leaders who value storytelling – who eschew boring, artificial corporate jargon in favor of active, intentional, engaging communication – can do more than just hold an entertaining meeting. They can close deals, inspire teams, and transform their organizations in powerful, lasting ways. Don’t believe us? That’s OK. Because today we sit down with Francisco Mahfuz, a national champion public speaker and one of the most sought-after storytellers and organizational coaches you can find anywhere in the world. And he can be pretty convincing. Learn more about Francisco here: https://www.franciscomahfuz.com/ *This podcast was recorded LIVE on LinkedIn. Follow us for future live interviews here: https://w

At home and in the workplace, happiness can be a balancing act. Our health, family, and finances can often prevent us from focusing on our own enjoyment. But what happens when we make a habit of that? What happens when we start letting other, smaller things take precedence over our happiness? Things like fear, comfortability, self-image, or other people’s perceptions of us. What happens when we’re so afraid to rock the boat, that we never even get in? Today we sit down with motivational speaker, TV personality and best-selling author Shari Alyse, who spent time struggling with that balancing act, and losing sight of her own happiness. She shares what she’s learned about joy, self-discovery, and just how fun it can be, to rock the occasional boat. **Have you ever pondered about the following questions?** How do we give people and their happiness the attention they deserve in our organizations and transformations? How do we enable change for people and not push change on people? How do we create the cul

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that technology and work are now inextricably linked. Forever. And while digital innovations can make our lives easier, they can also create new barriers and complications, frustrating or even discriminating against workers throughout their careers. Today we sit down with Bernadette Fellner, Business Innovation Lead for PwC Austria and an information technology expert who is attempting to “use tech for good,” and make sure that digital transformation efforts never lose track of the people they are trying to serve. Bernadette is a widely recognized leader and speaker with a background in innovation, culture design, foresight thinking, digital solution-building and agile ways of working. She works with clients at the heart of digital transformations, and is a university guest lecturer on the topic of digital business models. Learn more about her here.  **Have you ever pondered about the following questions?** How do we give people and their happiness the