Industrialisation took our collective societies from the farms into the factories.  Subsequent recessions have slowly stripped us of the collective ethos as individual survival became the priority.  Over the last 20 years we have been obsessed with figures:  hitting targets, maximising profits, decreasing costs, increasing our income (and our credit card debts) which entraps us like bindweed.  As a result our work environments become increasingly hostile.   In the Gallup survey four out of 10 Britons said they were unhappy with their bosses who did not treat them as partners, but as people to take orders. 

So why does it matter?  Well, when prescriptions for antidepressants have risen by 43% since 2006 and our adolescent children are committing suicide in increasing numbers, it certainly does matter.  It matters when whole tranches of our future and actual workforce are prevented from fulfilling their potential and by default their employer’s potential for success.  It matters because it negatively impacts on our future prospects for growth as we all struggle to come out of recession.

So how can we change things?  Well scientists have shown that our brains are wired to care for each other.  Serving and loving others generates happiness whilst selfish and solitary behaviour has the opposite effect.  When Wellington College started teaching happiness five years ago it had a startling effect on their exam results.  In 2005 A and B grade passes at “A” level stood at 65%.  In 2010 a comparable cohort of students achieved a 93.5% A and B pass rate.  A spectacular success in anybody’s book.

Success comes from optimism.  Optimism comes from happiness.  Happiness can be learnt.  Business can replicate the success in the education sector by reducing the emphasis on things, on figures, and increasing emphasis on people.  It is already happening in highly successful companies.  The top quartile of companies invests in their staff through training and development, coaching and encouraging outside activities through CSR.  They have recognised that by encouraging the collective nature of our society, our desire to care, share and love, they get better end results.

So should the government legislate for happiness?  It is difficult to see how this could be done.  What can be done today, right now, is for people to reconnect with what makes them happy.  By doing that, they will improve their own health and well being and by extension that of their family and work colleagues.  It’s a happy win win situation.