Summary

In this conversation, Matt Phelan, the co-founder of the Happiness Index and author of "The Business Case for Happiness" and "The Happiness Index, " shares valuable insight into measuring emotions in the workplace. Matt challenges the old business adage, "If you can measure it, you can manage it," emphasising that understanding and supporting employee happiness leads to better performance.

Listen to this entrepreneur’s story, which led to pioneering the integration of happiness metrics in workplace culture. Highlighting Richard Branson's belief that employees come first, Matt introduces his data-driven approach to fostering workplace happiness and its significant impact on business outcomes.

The episode explores the complex relationship between measuring and managing happiness and the importance of emotional well-being in the workplace. Matt also offers book recommendations and practical advice for enhancing happiness at work, making this a must-listen for any leader eager to disrupt the norm and prioritise employee satisfaction.

Takeaways

• Mythbusting the business concept, “If you can measure it, you can manage it.”
• Understanding the correlation between happiness and productivity.
• Professor Jeremy Dawson’s fascinating NHS hospital research.
• Breaking down the Employee Net Promotor Score questions.
• Debating in the office or work-from-home models.
• Pixar’s global emotions framework.

Chapters

(00:11) From digital agency to workplace happiness with Matt Phelan.

(03:48) The Happiness Index V1

(05:54) Measure it and understand it better.

(07:52) Changing the value prop.

(09:23) Defining happiness as an understandable business metric.

(13:26) Employee Net Promoter Score questions.

(17:23) TED Talk - Super Chickens.

(20:22) Solving different problems from client to client.

(24:31) Are happier employees more productive?

(27:01) Happy Hospitals vs. Unhappy Hospitals.

(28:53) In The Office or Work From Home?

(31:40) Building Relationships.

(34:08) Quick Fire Questions with Matt Phelan.

(39:18) Book recommendations.

About Matt Phelan

Matt Phelan is the co-founder of the Happiness Index, an organisation that aims to understand what makes people happy at work and how that relates to their work performance. He is a self-confessed proud geek and a supporter of decent people.

Matt’s career started when he founded a digital marketing agency called 4Ps Marketing when he was 25 years old. After driving this agency to immense success, Matt and his partners sold the company and opted to double down their investment to go again.

The Happiness Index is a SAAS platform that helps organisations measure their key employee engagement and happiness drivers. 

Follow Matt Phelan

Website: https://mattphelan.co.uk/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewphelan/ 

X: https://twitter.com/MatthewPhelan 

Happiness and Humans Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7h6wCWnjsgOIZSR6h0DKbq 

Book Recommendations

Freedom To Be Happy: The Business Case For Happiness by Matt Phelan

The Happiness Index by Matt Phelan

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Viking

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

Will It Make The Boat Go Faster by Ben Hunt-Davis and Harriet Beveridge

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Mind Your F**king Business