A new career option: happiness consultant!

Reading the New York Times yesterday gave me an idea for a new career possibility – along with being a writer about happiness, I’ll be a happiness consultant!

Lynnley Browning’s article, For Lawyers, Perks to Fit a Lifestyle, mentioned that one Chicago law firm has a “happiness committee.” Some members of the firm get together to figure out how to give everyone working there a happiness boost.

Great idea! Sign me up! I’m a big believer in the idea that a few small changes might really make a difference in people’s happiness. As I explained in earlier posts, I believe companies can absolutely boost the happiness of their employees – what’s more, it’s economically prudent for them to do so.

However, I’m not sure that I agree with this committee’s approach. Recently, the happiness committee left candied apples on everyone’s desk. Last month, they distributed milkshakes.

It’s true that getting a surprise treat gives people a real boost. Studies show the people’s brains react much more strongly to surprise pleasures than to expected pleasures.

Being handed a free sample, finding a dollar bill on the street, being surprised by a gift – any kind of surprise treat gives people a thrill. As a consequence of this improved mood, they become more generous, more friendly, more creative, and better at problem-solving.

And I see that handing out edible goodies is an inexpensive and easy surprise treat.

However, I bet those treats brought a lot of unhappiness, as well as happiness. So many people are trying to eat better or to watch their weight– a surprise milkshake indulgence could result in a lot of guilt, remorse, and blown diets. And taking steps that undermine people’s attempts to eat more healthfully is hardly in the long-term interests of the firm (a huge percentage of insurance costs are obesity related – and more all the time).

What would I suggest that the happiness committee distribute instead? Or what else should they do? I have lots of ideas! Hire me as your happiness consultant, and watch your company’s Subjective Well-Being index soar!

*
Ah, Boing Boing! Always satisfying, always something surprising and new. Almost as good as finding a candied apple on your desk, or a quarter left behind in the vending machine.

*
New to the Happiness Project? Consider subscribing to my RSS feed: Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates in the box at the top righthand corner.
If you're starting your own happiness project, please join the Happiness Project Group on Facebook to swap ideas. It's easy; it's free.

Comments

[the-happy-manager.com]

Some great ideas here Gretchen, well done. You may be right about the downside to the treats, but I think we still need to look favourably on any sincere attempt by managers to bring happiness into the workplace. Well ok, you would expect me to say that, as co-author of a site dedicated to that very thing, but I still believe it! Keep up the good work. Phil

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh yes, I think it's FANTASTIC to try! In fact, the very fact that the effort is being made is very important.

When I visited a friend at Google, and saw all the goodies there meant to make life better for employees, it struck me that teh most important element to that program was the very fact that so much attention had been paid to it.

[mike ashworth]

Hi, interesting observation about "treats" at work. I feel that if this is one the only ways a leader can think of to make staff "happy" then they have a big problem. If their behaviours are also not congruent with this outside of the "treat giving" process then this will also back-fire quite badly.

If you or anyone else is interested in receiving a cope of the happiness at work index for 2007 please let me know. It's a short report produced by a number of HR Consultants across the UK about what it is that makes people happy at work. A very interesting read.

[Dr. Nicole]

Oh my gosh please sign me up to be your first client!!! LOL

[Lisa]

Because my company specializes in weight management issues, I totally agree with your assessment of the surprises. Candy apples and milkshakes aren't the best idea. Why not an apple or a different seasonal fruit? Or how about an extra 15 minute break to take a walk with the person in the next cubicle?

Hey, it's just an idea...............:)

[Lisa]

Because my company specializes in weight management issues, I totally agree with your assessment of the surprises. Candy apples and milkshakes aren't the best idea. Why not an apple or a different seasonal fruit? Or how about an extra 15 minute break to take a walk with the person in the next cubicle?

Hey, it's just an idea...............:)

[George S.]

Long time reader, first time poster. :) As someone studying Organizational Communication and Development, I cannot agree with you more! It is just as important for businesses to encourage happiness and positive feelings as it is to encourage timeliness and performance. And I agree that food is generally not the best surprise. I know a number of excellent managers who would encourage happiness by simply offering a longer lunchtime if they notice an employee reading a book or such, or by (quite randomly) letting someone go home 15-30 minutes early. The more businesses facilitate happiness, the better off they'll be. It's only a recent development that OD professionals have been looking at this exact fact. :)

[MJ]

Knowing law firm lawyers, many of those candied apples (given to exhausted associates who had been billing too much and never home) were greeted as "poison apples" from management and much merriment was had - perhaps time off or something that respected the individual's wider well-being would have been better than a treat that can be finished in minutes while the recipient is still working away at 7 pm, 8 pm, and longer.