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Ladies and gentlemen welcome back to another episode of the Leader Show with Lou Carter. Our guest today is Tia Graham, who is the Certified Chief Happiness Officer and author of the book Be A Happy Leader.
Tia talks about the importance of happiness at work and how leaders can create a positive environment for their employees. She also shares her insights on the benefits of mindfulness, self-compassion, and connecting with others, as well as the role of autonomy, trust, and collaboration in creating a happy workplace.
Additionally, Tia identifies the importance of utilizing one’s strengths and the need for breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout. So, without any further delay, let’s jump right in!
Lou starts the conversation by expressing his interest in understanding the effects of happiness at work and how leaders can cultivate a positive mindset. In response, Tia highlights the growing trend of happiness and work coming together and how leaders need to take their own well-being and happiness seriously in order to create positive work climates.
According to her, it’s not about being positive all the time but rather being more positive than negative. Leaders can create a positive ripple effect on their teams by focusing on their own well-being and bringing that energy to the workplace.
When Lou asks her what leaders can do to shift their mindset when they have a bad day or encounter negative experiences, Tia suggests that the first step is to recognize the negative headspace and be present in the moment. She emphasizes the importance of choice and mindfulness in deciding how to show up as a leader. And then recommends quick activities such as meditation, exercise, or going outside for fresh air to improve one’s mood and be mindful. She also advises leaders to be intentional about the content they consume, such as listening to uplifting podcasts or music, rather than just consuming negative news.
Moving on, the speakers discuss the importance of sleep. Tia notes that many people in Western cultures are sleep-deprived and that getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep per night is crucial for productivity and creativity.
Lou adds that there are four stages of sleep, and getting enough deep REM sleep is important for processing emotions. Tia agrees and mentions that humans tend to overestimate their cognitive ability when they are sleep deprived, but in reality, their performance is negatively affected.
After that, both speakers discuss the significant benefits of exercising and spending time in nature. Tia suggests that going outside allows us to decompress stress, which can lead to increased happiness. On that note, she encourages people to go outside at least once a day, even if it’s just for a short walk or to read a book.
Lou firmly believes that taking care of oneself and having a healthy relationship with others is important for putting one’s head in the right place.
Tia notes the benefits of regular meditation practice, such as decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression, and encourages spending 10 minutes in quiet reflection or using apps like Calm or Headspace. She also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness throughout the day to stay present and connected with others.
Moving on, Lou and Tia discuss the importance of creating a positive environment in the workplace and how it can drive productivity, creativity, engagement, and loyalty. They highlight the role of leaders in managing the emotions of their team members and creating a healthy work culture.
On that note, Lou references the show “Ted Lasso” as an example of a positive environment created by a leader who is hyper-honest about his positivity, and they both express the hope that more shows like it will be produced.
Next, Tia discusses the importance of connecting with others and self-love and how being present in our relationships can benefit our physical health. She also emphasizes the significance of relationships over results in leadership and the importance of spreading positive emotions to drive productivity.
Tia also shares her experience studying in Denmark to become a Chief Happiness Officer and highlights the value of knowing and sharing strengths to succeed at work. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of breaks and collaboration for knowledge workers and encouraging connections and friendships in the workplace.
Tia and Lou discuss a lot more on this episode of The Leader Show. Share your thoughts with us at info@bestpracticeinstitute.org
Thank you for listening.
