The Happy Manifesto

In this episode of the Happy Manifesto podcast, hosts Maureen and Henry converse with Vanessa King from Action for Happiness.

Vanessa is an expert in positive psychology and the author of The Ten Keys to Happier Living.

In this episode, Vanessa discusses the active pursuit of happiness, distinguishing between short-term pleasure and long-term fulfilment. Vanessa shares the importance of making connections, gratitude, and psychological safety in the workplace. We also discuss practical strategies for enhancing well-being, such as fostering positive mental habits and creating supportive work environments.

Vanessa's insights offer actionable steps toward cultivating happiness in both personal and professional spheres.

Vanessa's tips for a happy workplace:

• Realise there is a business case for happiness
• Invest in connecting with people in person and building relationships offline
• Find individual focus time
• Invest in training, processes, and culture

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Vanessa's Book The Ten Keys to Happier Living

Can organisations gain a strategic advantage by investing in their employees?

Stephan Meier, a Columbia Business School professor, and author of The Employee Advantage, shares, in this episode, the relationship between employee motivation, organisational culture, and profitability.

Stephan reveals that organisations prioritising employee well-being, ones that align with their core values, foster ethical behaviour and a positive work environment that benefits all with profitability and increased job satisfaction.

Hear Stephan share examples from companies like ING and Zappos, highlighting the benefits of an employee-centric approach. You'll also hear outlines for four key motivators: purpose, autonomy, competence, and relatedness, that drive employee engagement and satisfaction.

Stephan's tips for a happy workplace:

• Listen to employees and engage with them
• Trust what comes your way
• Be very intentional

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Stephan's Lego brick-by-brick videos

And here is Stephan's story of why he does them on YouTube

Kelly McGovern is the Chief Nurse at the West Hertfordshire Foundation Trust

In this episode, Kelly shares how she has fostered a transformative culture of trust and empowerment in a healthcare environment.

Kelly shares her leadership journey, highlighting the importance of empowering staff to drive change and celebrate small wins.

She recounts how her hands-on approach and role modeling have led to significant improvements in patient care, such as reduced waiting times and better discharge rates.

The conversation reveals the positive impact of a supportive work environment and the importance of breaking outdated rules toward fostering innovation and collaboration in healthcare.

Ann Hartland, Deputy CEO and Growth Director of Cedar, discusses the importance of joy at work, personal growth, and leadership as well as her experiences in the Level 7 Senior Leadership Programme.

Ann shares insights into her role highlighting a people-first approach and the significance of listening to employees.

Today's conversation reveals some of the challenges and successes of implementing a positive workplace culture and the practical application of theoretical learnings.

Ann also touches on her personal interests, including dog massage therapy and triathlons, underscoring the value of maintaining joy both in and out of work.

Ann's tips for a happy workplace:

• Do you know what is expected of you at work?
• Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?
• Regular, direct and honest communication

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Daniel Pink's book Drive

Bruce Daisley's podcast Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat

Gallup's 12 Engagement Questions

Jenny Fernandez is an executive coach and professor at Columbia and NYU.

In this episode, we explore some of Gen Z's unique characteristics, such as being digital natives and the impact of "helicopter parenting."

Jenny highlights the challenges Gen Z faces, including communication skills, job security and concerns exacerbated by the pandemic.

We also explore the need for supportive work environments, effective onboarding, clear training paths, and why mentorship is important.

Jenny's tips for a happy workplace:

1. Set your employees up for success
2. Have a very clear training path so people know how to progress
3. Provide mentors and sponsors for employees

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

TEDx Talk by Jenny Fernandez

Jenny Fernandez on LinkedIn

Happy Website

In this episode of the Happy Manifesto Podcast, co-hosts Maureen and Henry engage with Helen Stuart, Managing Director of Now You're Talking.

Helen Stuart, Managing Director of Now You're Talking discusses her transformative experiences from a leadership program at TLC, emphasising trust, empowerment, and psychological safety in management.

Helen shares practical insights on fostering team ownership, leveraging individual strengths, and creating a supportive work environment based upon 'pre-approval', trust, and ownership.

The conversation also touches on the importance of vulnerability in leadership and the benefits of recognising and utilising team members' unique skills.

Helen’s tips for a happy workplace:

1. Trust and empower your team
2. Create a trusting environment that embraces freedom and ownership
3. Publicly celebrate wins and people's strengths

Nigel Paine, head of people development at the BBC, discusses the evolution of workplace learning, the creation of the BBC's iPlayer, and the importance of fostering a true learning culture in organisations.

Nigel emphasises the need for trust, autonomy, competence, and connectedness toward creating an effective learning environment and shares with us examples from Danone and WD-40 to illustrate successful learning practices

Nigel also highlights the significance of leadership qualities like courage and humility underscoring the critical role of continuous improvement and open communication in building a happy workplace culture.

Nigel’s tips for a happy workplace:

1. Make people feel part of the team and organisation.
2. Constantly work on what is stopping good things from happening.
3. Have an index: some measure of how well you are getting there

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Nigel's book The Great Reset

Harvard Business Review

Did you know that there's a strong link between happiness and success?

In today's episode, we explore the surprising connection between happiness, productivity, and workplace culture.

Nic Marks, a happiness expert and founder of the Centre for Wellbeing at the New Economics Foundation, and CEO of Friday Pulse, sheds light on this fascinating relationship and dives deep into the Happy Planet Index.

We discuss the impact of happiness on productivity and how a positive workplace environment can boost creativity and efficiency. Nic also reveals the important role of social networks and how the power of strong relationships contributes to fostering happiness and well-being.

Discover how a happier workforce can lead to a more successful business and hear some practical advice for leaders to enhance employee happiness and productivity.

Nic’s tips for a happy workplace:

1. Connect (develop relationships)
2. Be active
3. Take notice (be mindful)
4. Keep learning
5. Give

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

https://wellbeing.hmc.ox.ac.uk/publications/does-employee-happiness-have-an-impact-on-productivity/

Many businesses still focus solely on financial metrics to understand why they are underperforming. However, one crucial factor is often overlooked—the well-being and happiness of employees who contribute to those results.

Mark Price, former Marketing Director of Waitrose and founder of WorkL, discusses the critical role of employee happiness in driving business success. Drawing from his 32-year career at the John Lewis Partnership, Mark shares valuable insights into the direct impact of a positive work environment on productivity, employee retention, reduced absenteeism, and overall business growth. He also reflects on his experience turning around Somerfield stores by prioritising staff happiness; leading to remarkable improvements in performance.

Mark introduces a six-step framework for cultivating a happy workplace, providing actionable strategies for measuring and improving employee satisfaction, as well as the pivotal role leadership plays in fostering a thriving workplace culture. Whether you're a business owner, manager, or employee, this episode reveals why happiness at work is not just a "nice-to-have" but a key driver of long-term, sustainable success.

Mark’s tips for a happy workplace:

1. Understanding the six-step framework: Reward and recognition. information sharing, empowerment, instilling pride, well-being, and career development
2. It’s all about leadership: know where we’re going and why
3. Good leaders need to be relentlessly optimistic

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

WorkL

Happy Economics Book

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

In many workplaces, mistakes are not tolerated or easily forgotten, leading to environments where employers are feeling pressurised to be perform perfectly and potentially nervous to innovate new ideas.

Ben Clarkson, Chief Finance and Operating Officer at Parkinson’s UK, joins the podcast today to share his journey implementing the principles of the Happy Manifesto, including the idea of celebrating mistakes rather than admonishing them. Previously at Asthma and Lung UK, Ben recounts his leadership experiences there, highlighting the importance of empowering people, recruiting for attitude and fostering an inclusive culture.

Ben reveals the impact on employees when the principle of celebrating mistakes is introduced: creating a culture of openness, accountability, and trust where every mistake is seen as a learning opportunity for growth. This inspiring episode underscores the transformative power of the Happy Manifesto principles in creating positive organisational cultures and good leadership.

Ben’s tips for a happy workplace:

1. Create an inclusive culture where everyone can be their true and best selves
2. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Be brave.
3. Empower people

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Parkinson’s UK

Asthma and Lung UK

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn

Happy Manifesto Free EBooks

Happy Manifesto

Round Table