A Culture of Happiness: How to Scale Up Happiness from People to Organizations
This book by Tho Ha Vinh, Ph.D., delivers what it promises by teaching the value and art of “happiness” as a proactive and, yes, profit-improving culture shift. There are a lot of books out there on the topic. If you don’t believe me, just peek at the uplifting column on Books Uplift. This book is written by the former program director of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) Center. It birthed the movement to bring happiness to the masses in homes, hospitals, schools, companies, non-profits, charities, you name it. But smiles and kindness aside, this book has solid science and compelling arguments for leading with happiness.
I enjoyed this book and appreciated the hard-won efforts it took to actualize it.
I had never heard of the notion of GNH—which acts as our national conscience for making wiser decisions with a better future in mind. This divining rod group of individuals helps national leaders and organizations make choices that align with supporting everything from world health to the environment. Again, I’d like to remind you that this isn’t about doing what’s right. It’s about doing what’s good for everyone and the resources needed to create and sustain a brighter future. Does that include improving your organization’s bottom line? So be it. Some strategies and case studies cite how the GNH Center has helped companies go from stagnation to flourishing.
As expected, there is a primer on mindfulness, meditation, happiness, gratitude practices, and exercises to aid in connecting to the breath. He then provides proof-backed strategies for elevating communication to foster lucrative results, including compassionate listening and defusing conflict. There is a section on schools and families to help teachers, administrators, and caregivers create conditions for happiness and nurturing a kind and benevolent future generation.
Vinh’s work for the Red Cross and crisis management inspired him to accept the director’s position. In this way, he and his team could focus on preventative strategies while reaching a greater global audience. The book is his way of carrying on that legacy. I learned a lot from his insights, took copious notes, and earmarked many pages I’ve referenced since finishing my first round read. Changing my perspectives on ” happiness ” and how I could work toward it daily in my life, family, and business was game-changing.
Book and Image Courtesy of Parallax Press
