Are Happy CEOs Most Likely To Be Efficient And Effective?

What do you think is the primary objective of our lives and careers? A study by the Free University of Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano in Italy found that that happy people outperformed their stressed counterparts and were more-efficient employees. How would you describe the relationship between success and happiness?

Want to be wildly successful? Do you think, trying to do too many things is the path to mediocrity. OR does happiness lead to success? Or does success lead to happiness? Now Here are 10 questions to ponder, Please share your thoughts: 

In a fascinating (and funny) TEDxBloomington talk, Shawn Achor, the CEO of Good Think Inc., a Cambridge-based consulting firm, argues that while we may think success will bring us happiness, the lab-validated truth is that happiness brings us more success.

According to Harvard’s Shawn Achor, “something as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 21 days in a row” significantly increases your level of optimism and happiness. So there are plenty of  ways to try to boost happiness even if you’re not a big fan of comedy or chocolate (Though really, who isn’t?).

Think about the most efficient and effective chief executive officer (CEO) you know. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. He/she:

1) Incredibly happy
2) Very wealthy
3) Works 24 X 7
4) A great mentor
5) Famous or renowned in their field
6) Travels internationally for business and pleasure
7) Cultured and sophisticated
8) Has a happy family
9) well educated
10) Confident in his/her life and future

Here are my recommendations [ 3 books every successful CEO should read] 

1) The Hard Thing About Hard Things, by Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs, draws on his own story of founding, running, selling, buying, managing, and investing in technology companies to offer essential advice and practical wisdom for navigating the toughest problems business schools don’t cover.

2) Emotional Intelligence, by Daniel Goleman, a brilliant report from the frontiers of psychology and neuroscience offers startling new insight into our “two minds”—the rational and the emotional—and how they together shape our destiny.

3) Moneyball, by Michael Lewis, a quest for the secret of success in baseball. Following the low-budget Oakland Athletics, their larger-than-life general manger, Billy Beane, and the strange brotherhood of amateur baseball enthusiasts, Michael Lewis has written not only “the single most influential baseball book ever” (Rob Neyer, Slate) but also what “may be the best book ever written on business” (Weekly Standard).