12/15/13 12:46
Rewatched Chip Conley's
excellent TED Talk today. It's definitely in one of my top 10 favorites.
Chip brings an unconventional view on a very important subject: Human happiness. And he does it in an empathic and inspiring way.
The idea of counting and accounting for tangible things such as dollars and widgets is so ingrained that we take it for granted. Even though they may no longer represent what we truly care about.
Happiness is non-linear: i.e. When you have no or little money, then having more money = more happiness,
but only up to a point.
The trap we fall into is that we don't update our metrics when our situation changes.
This also happens at a national and global scale: At some point, having more economic activity (as measured by abstract numbers such as GDP) may not be in the best interests of a country or its citizens, vs. other concerns. In fact, it's quite likely this is already the case in much of the developed world.
Once we've filled in the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy, over-filling them won't lead to increased happiness. We need to address the higher, intangible things such as meaning and self actualization.
Chip relates the story about how the country of Bhutan became the champion for a new metric,
Gross National Happiness. While it has been slowly gaining adherents worldwide, it is not a concept most people are aware of. I remember reading a couple articles about Bhutan 3-4 years ago, but haven't heard much about them or GNH since then.
Chip's main point is that this philosophy also works well in business. Happy employees do better work, creating happy customers and increased profits.
While we all probably get this fact, I suspect that many remain at best slightly skeptical. Somehow, the social contract (at least in American business) tends to revolve much more around money than “soft” things like happiness and meaning. It even feels slightly dishonest to put more effort into making sure people feel better about their (possibly mundane) jobs rather than simply paying them more.
This is a rather tragic trap we've fallen into.
As Chip points out, it's not a choice
between happier employees and higher profits. You can have both, and they are indeed intricately related.
The truth is, the vast majority of jobs in existence aren't particularly inspiring or noble. However that doesn't mean they have to suck or be inhuman. There is so much more we can do to make them better. It doesn't cost much money or effort to do either, and the results can be a win-win for all. It's mainly a limiting belief that's the barrier here.
While Chip's personal experience has been in the hospitality/service industry, his points apply (perhaps even more so) to creative professions.
In high skilled creative industries, people are likely
already being paid well. Having a slightly higher bonus each year isn't likely going to increase happiness in a lasting way. Much more important is how people view their work, and the environment they work in.
Even at a micro level, being conscious of, and actively managing your personal state of happiness is critical to being a high-functioning creative worker. A happy state gives you the emotional and intellectual security needed to be more daring and creative. i.e. you aren't going to produce your best work if you are constantly stressed, or if you don't believe that your work matters.
What happiness means (or should mean) is a core political debate. Indeed the difference of a conservative vs. liberal view is between a “traditional” view of what a happy life is, vs. a newer, less “conventional" one.
The traditional worldview comes from the industrial/atomic age: Work hard at a job you may or may not enjoy. Business is about competition and winning, to maximize the score for your team. It's not there to make you happy. So be loyal and dependable at work, and seek happiness elsewhere. Try to enjoy your family life. What you do to be happy on nights and weekends is your business. Tip: Try consumption, which is also good for the economy.
The liberal-progressive view instead goes something like this: You are special and unique, and need to develop your talents to best serve humanity and carve out your own niche in the world. Don't conform. Contribution and meaning is what creates happiness, not consumption, so be very careful about what work you choose to do. Also, don't trust anyone over your age + 10 years. They are part of the resistance. Question your leaders.
These may be slight exaggerations, but help explain some of the dominant contentions in the political spectrum, as well as the attitudes we find in business both big and small.
Related: TED, Society.