What Happy Companies Know: How the New Science of Happiness Can Change Your Company for the Better [Hardcover]

Dan Baker (Author), Cathy Greenberg (Author), Collins Hemingway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Happy companies are winning companies. Well-adjusted, psychologically healthy companies collaborate better. They innovate more effectively. They change faster. They see reality with exceptional clarity, but they know how to address it positively. They uncover opportunities where others fixate on obstacles and blame. What Happy Companies Know reveals the five crucial elements that happy companies share in common... and shows how to lead any company to happiness! This book reflects the experiences of the world's best companies, as well as the latest scientific research. Drawing on case studies from dozens of great businesses and exceptional leaders, this book's authors offer a complete blueprint, practical tools, and proven best practices for achieving organizational happiness and breakthrough performance. This book shows readers how to build a company where individuals at every level can apply their diverse strengths towards shared goals that are meaningful, positive, and profitable.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Distinguished by optimism and honesty, a happy company has a "culture in which personal respect, appreciation, and trust become a major reason for its business success." Employees won't need to sing "kumbaya" to accomplish this, assert the authors of this persuasive and encouraging if dense guide. But promoting "happiness" may result in an innovative, collaborative company with employees who are relatively stress-free and attuned to opportunity—plus, happiness will promote the bottom line. Baker (a psychologist and coauthor of What Happy People Know), Greenberg (a leadership coach) and Hemingway (a business writer and coauthor with Bill Gates of Business @ the Speed of Thought) investigate the underlying emotional, psychological and even neurological influences on good and bad business practices. Beginning with an examination of fear and aggression as motivators for negative or even passive business decisions, the book later delves into topics including strategies for combating stress both personally and as an organization, employing humility in leadership and developing emotional intelligence. This book is relevant to both the CEO concerned with motivating workers and the employee figuring out how to improve personal coping skills. (June 6)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Penned by three successful psychology and business writers, including the author of the worldwide bestseller, What Happy People Know, this book presents a strong case for introducing the new science of organizational happiness into the workplace.

Because motivated employees are the keystone to business success, companies built around people, positive mindsets and long-term goals consistently out-perform unhappy companies. Illustrated with examples of positive and successful businesses, this book will teach readers how to apply the principles, priorities and motivation of happy companies to their own organizations. Filled with practical ways to master “the softer side” of business, this guide will help employers effectively implement change and produce more cooperative, innovative and dedicated employees. One of the most convincing aspects is the discussion of the evolutionary and behavioral science on which the “science of happiness” premise is based. Thanks to the authors’ thorough research and accessible style, readers will understand not just how to improve their companies, but why it’s necessary.

Original and intelligent—a “complete blueprint” for building a happy and successful organization.

 

--Kirkus Reports, Vol. 3, Issue 3 (March 31, 2006)

  

Distinguished by optimism and honesty, a happy company has a "culture in which personal respect, appreciation, and trust become a major reason for its business success." Employees won't need to sing "kumbaya" to accomplish this, assert the authors of this persuasive and encouraging if dense guide. But promoting "happiness" may result in an innovative, collaborative company with employees who are relatively stress-free and attuned to opportunity-plus, happiness will promote the bottom line. Baker (a psychologist and coauthor ofWhat Happy People Know ), Greenberg (a leadership coach) and Hemingway (a business writer and coauthor with Bill Gates ofBusiness @ the Speed of Thought ) investigate the underlying emotional, psychological and even neurological influences on good and bad business practices. Beginning with an examination of fear and aggression as motivators for negative or even passive business decisions, the book later delves into topics including strategies for combating stress both personally and as an organization, employing humility in leadership and developing emotional intelligence. This book is relevant to both the CEO concerned with motivating workers and the employee figuring out how to improve personal coping skills.(June 6)

 

--Publisher's Weekly (4/17 Issue) 

Copyright © 1997-2005 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: FT Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131858572
• ISBN-13: 978-0131858572
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethical vision for a successful future., June 13, 2006

By 

James M. Palmer (Bend, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Happy Companies Know: How the New Science of Happiness Can Change Your Company for the Better (Hardcover)

There's an unmistakable sense of energy that quickly becomes evident in all well-run companies. We all see it when we interact with them, and, more importantly, we all know when it's missing. "What Happy Companies Know" describes how senior management with strong core values and an honest interest in their employees' welfare build happy companies that retain their best employees. Humble, ethical managers with a sense of vision can build a strong team dynamic in their companies, as employees enthusiastically take ownership of their goals.

This book is well researched and clearly written. It's peppered with interesting real-life drama, as we see how some companies have failed miserably in understanding and implementing these important concepts. Companies of all sizes will be well advised to make sure that all of their managers understand and accept the principles so well explained in this book. It's a recipe for success!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Happy Companies Know:, August 23, 2006

By 

Joe Phelps (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Happy Companies Know: How the New Science of Happiness Can Change Your Company for the Better (Hardcover)

There is a new and better way to work nowadays that allows more freedom and flexiblity in people's lives. This newfound freedom
and flexibility is a counterbalance to the faster paced, more complicated lives we live. The success stories in this book shed light on how various companies are investing more trust in their employees -- and their investment is enjoying a great ROI in individual and group productivity.
Joe Phelps

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Happy Companies Know, June 8, 2006

By 

Heather "Heather" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Happy Companies Know: How the New Science of Happiness Can Change Your Company for the Better (Hardcover)

"What Happy Companies Know" expands on the idea that organizational happiness is crucial to success. This book gives examples on how to achieve this happiness in your company and how to implement these plans. This book is designed to give company executives and owners ways to have a positive focus and highly motivated approach on the future. The authors demonstrate how high quality values and ethics of businessmen and women can help to unlock the talents and creativity of their employees thus making a company happier and more successful.