Arthur Brooks

Periods of chance can unsettle even the strongest teams.

Uncertainty drives fear, morale drops, and leaders are left wondering how to steady the ship (while battling their own worries). Fortunately, science has answers on how to boost morale and happiness in the workplace, even in challenging times, so you can see better performance, stronger culture, and lower turnover. In this talk, Arthur equips leaders with research-backed strategies to understand and elevate their management styles, boost morale, and lead with confidence—no matter what the business climate brings.

The West is witnessing a rise in unhappiness (measured by skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and polarization). Many blame technology, or social media, or tough economic times. All have some merit, but the deepest culprit is the rising “meaninglessness” in everyday life.

Data suggests that young people no longer know the meaning of their lives, and worse, aren't searching for it.

This book will address the 'meaning problem' and use science and ancient wisdom to suggest a cultural cure.

Topics will include how to interrupt the meaning 'doom loop', how to start asking big questions, how to give your heart away to another person, how to find one's vocation and calling, how to transcend yourself through religion or philosophy, and how to make your suffering sacred.

Most people are good at managing things around them–their families, their homes, their jobs, even their companies. But managing their own feelings is a big mystery, and an enormous barrier to happiness. This talk introduces the amazing science of emotional self-management. With knowledge and a few changes in habits, each of us can take control of our emotions and lead lives that are more satisfying and successful.

Recommended Reading: Build the Life You Want

Most people think success is the key to happiness, but they are wrong. Happiness is the key to success. According to research, to be successful in life, one should understand happiness and manage to it—our own and others’. Unfortunately, most people have to learn this fact by hard experience. Happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks shows that behind this problem lies an enormous opportunity for businesses to improve happiness practices internally, thus raising workplace engagement, facilitating recruitment, and increasing retention and productivity. Indeed, companies can establish a culture of meaning, purpose, and life satisfaction–and can thus prosper in highly-competitive labor markets where culture and quality of life are so critical.

America is afflicted with a "culture of contempt," says Brooks. It is increasingly common for people to view those who disagree with them as worthless, instead of just misguided or incorrect. This is fomented by an “outrage industrial complex” in media and politics. Through ancient wisdom and cutting-edge behavioral science, Brooks provides a roadmap to the prosperity that comes when we choose to love one another – gaining strength from our differences.

Our skills and interests naturally change as we age—a fact that can be difficult and frightening for many “strivers.” How can we prepare for the changes that come later in life, and how can we structure our lives in a way that uncovers new strengths and leads to lasting happiness? Blending the latest in behavioral social science research, ancient wisdom, and historical analysis, Professor Arthur Brooks will reveal how effectiveness and well-being at all stages of life come not from holding on to past achievements, but from cultivating new habits and a different understanding of success and fulfillment.