Happiness seems as elusive and subjective at work as empathy. But there is a link between the two, and we're going to get into that today! My guest is Dr. Tracy Brower, a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. 

Today we discuss what happiness at work means, how happiness is linked to empathy, and the research around what happy workplaces experience in terms of engagement, retention, and performance. Tracy shatters the myths of happiness as a constant state. While we can't "make people happy" we can create the conditions for happiness. She shares the five measurable conditions for happiness and we discuss the Paradox of Happiness, the benefits of post-traumatic growth, the current loneliness epidemic and the role workplace cultures can play, and the two important components of what it means to thrive. Tracy offers ways you can create connections as a leader - and you'll love the conversation near the end about how leaders don't have to take on all the responsibility for this in their culture by themselves!

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Tracy’s Big Five conditions for happiness are: Having a sense of purpose, Connection with other people, Opportunity for learning, growth and challenge, Performing really well, and Gratitude.
• Sometimes you will have to do work you don’t want to do. Your work won’t always be fulfilling. But that doesn’t mean your career or workplace cannot be nurturing, engaging, and fulfilling despite that work.
• Thriving always includes an element of striving. There are positive challenges, and positive growth that come out of difficult situations.

"It's actually counterproductive to measure happiness by itself, and the more we think about happiness as its own end, the less likely we are to accomplish it, statistically." —  Dr. Tracy Brower

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge episodes
• Logan Mallory: How a Culture of Gratitude Boosts Engagement and Mental Health
• Jamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for Yourself
• Shasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work Friendships

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge 

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse 

About Dr. Tracy Brower, VP Workplace Insights, Steelcase

Dr. Tracy Brower is a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and <em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); --darkreader-inline-bgcolor: transparent; --darkreader-inline-color: #d1cfcc;" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor="" data-darkreader-