How to Inspire More Joy at Work

In an era of rapid change and rising demands, leaders who actively nurture joy and well-being build cultures where people feel valued, perform at their best and stay committed for the long term.

From Dolly Chugh’s toolkit for increasing psychological safety and retaining top employees to Susan David’s frameworks for developing emotional agility, discover the thinkers helping managers build the necessary skills to lead thriving teams.

Read on to explore distinguished researchers and practitioners whose insights help executives unlock higher engagement, spark innovation and sustain resilience, creating workplaces where happiness and business success go hand in hand.

Harness Emotional Agility to Break Through Business and Personal Challenges

Susan David, Ph.D., helps leaders and their teams understand how navigating our emotions shapes our actions, careers, relationships, health and happiness.

Cultivate Joy by Rekindling Optimism in the Workplace

Desmond U. Patton, Ph.D., (University of Pennsylvania) uses innovative AI and social work strategies to help companies reignite the sparks of joy and optimism that fuel innovation and productivity.

Enhancing Feelings of Connection in the Age of AI

Elizabeth Dunn, Ph.D., (University of British Columbia) delivers engaging workshops that provide participants with an uplifting, science-based toolkit for establishing a genuine sense of connection in person or remotely. She empowers audiences with practical strategies that can be put into practice right away to boost well-being at work, at home and within oneself.

Find the Joy in Climate Action

Jiaying Zhao, Ph.D., (University of British Columbia) outlines positive ways organizations can approach high-impact sustainability actions that can enhance well-being while protecting the planet. Audiences leave her sessions with immediately applicable frameworks to gain more confidence and competence for optimistically facing the challenges of climate change.

Aligning Work with Culture and Strategy

Jennifer A. Chatman, Ph.D., brings leaders a deeper understanding of the behavioral realities of culture, demonstrates how to prioritize what truly matters, and equips them with actionable strategies to shape a strong, adaptive culture aligned with their strategic goals. 

A Boss’s Toolkit for Increasing Psychological Safety and Retaining Top Employees

Dolly Chugh, Ph.D., (NYU) helps leaders intentionally bake inclusivity and psychological safety into every organizational level to achieve better results and have more productive teams.

How the Science of Happiness Can Bring Pleasure and Purpose to Life and the Workplace

Paul Dolan (London School of Economics) combines behavioral science and evidence-based tools to enable organizations to empower their employees to take a complete perspective of the causes and consequences of happiness, boosting satisfaction in life and work alike as a result.

Untethered: Reclaiming Imagination and Sparking Joy

Courtney D. Cogburn, Ph.D.’s research (Columbia University) explores the health benefits of imagination, framing it as a powerful, revolutionary tool that can ground us in being alive rather than tethered to oppression.

Strategies for Uncovering True Happiness

Elissa Epel, Ph.D., (UCSF) guides leaders to reduce burnout and boost collective resilience through science-backed stress management. She empowers employees to see they have more control than they think over their well-being, and her presentations leave them with specific strategies they can use immediately.

Spark Joy with Human-Centered Products and Experiences

Beth Altringer, Ph.D., (Brown University and RISD) guides designers, marketers and companies to create products and experiences that spark delight, emotional connection, authentic engagement and brand differentiation.

Applying Empathetic Leadership to Unlock Exceptional Team Performance

Lalin Anik, Ph.D., (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) reveals how building genuine human connections and community can dramatically elevate everyday happiness at work and unlock vast competitive advantages.

A Framework for Change: The Incredible Influence of Fun in Decision-Making

Cass Sunstein (Harvard Law School) offers practical strategies for crafting smart “nudges” and policies that create environments where people make happier choices every day. His noteworthy FEAST framework presents leaders with a streamlined methodology for driving individuals to take a desired action that benefits themselves and the organization.

Research shows that when employees are happy, they’re more productive and loyal. Stern Strategy Group connects you with renowned thought leaders whose insights, strategies and management frameworks help organizations fuel growth and disruptive innovation to better compete in a constantly changing world. Let us arrange for these esteemed experts to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting sessions, workshops and keynotes.