International Day of Happiness: The Secret to Corporate Success

The Origins of the International Day of Happiness

The first International Day of Happiness was celebrated on March 20, 2013. It was established by the United Nations in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of happiness globally. The concept of this day emerged from “Happytalism,” co-founded by Jayme Illien and Luis Gallardo, which emphasizes the pursuit of global happiness as a fundamental goal. The UN recognized this by adopting Resolution 65/309 in July 2011, acknowledging happiness as a basic human goal.

Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index: A Global Example

Bhutan, a pioneer in measuring happiness, introduced the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index as an alternative to GDP. Bhutan's King, Jigme Khesar, described GNH as “a bridge connecting fundamental values like kindness, equality, and humanism with economic growth.” This approach highlights the connection between happiness and productivity, drawing attention from global leaders.

Happiness and Corporate Success: Empirical Evidence

A 2012 article in the Harvard Business Review emphasized that happy and engaged employees are critical to an organization's success. Research shows that such employees tend to be healthier, more creative, and perform better. Happiness in the workplace also creates a positive feedback loop, encouraging further employee engagement and productivity.

How to Create Happiness in the Workplace

To foster happiness in an organization, leaders must first define what “happiness” means. Psychologists typically define happiness in three ways:

• A life of pleasure: experiencing positive emotions like contentment and sensory enjoyment (also known as “hedonia” in Greek).
• A life of engagement: using personal strengths and talents in meaningful ways (“eudaimonia”).
• A life of meaning: feeling part of something greater, contributing to a purpose-driven organization.

Leaders can use these definitions to assess workplace happiness: Are employees enjoying their work? Do they feel engaged and able to use their strengths? Do they understand the company's mission and feel they are contributing to something meaningful?

The Future of the International Day of Happiness

On the first International Day of Happiness, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the need for sustainable human development, saying, “Let us reaffirm our commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, and our promise to help others.” He encouraged the world to contribute to global happiness and improve the well-being of all.

The International Day of Happiness not only raises awareness about the importance of happiness in life but also highlights the need to incorporate happiness into public policy. The UN calls on individuals to take action on this day to make their lives, and the world, a better place.

Sources

• United Nations (2012). Resolution 65/309: Happiness as a Basic Human Goal.
• Harvard Business Review (2012). The Economics of Workplace Happiness.
• Asian Development Bank (2015).The Experience of Gross National Happiness as Development Framework..
• Cambridge University Press (2015).Bhutan’s sustainable development initiatives and Gross National Happiness..