The pursuit of happiness might commonly be seen as seeking positive experiences and avoiding negative ones. But it's sense of purpose that brings a more sustainable happiness - contentment, if you will - and which is also a fundamental driver of success in organisations.
Very, very many years ago (roughly 2,500) the Greeks recognised this by defining two types of happiness.
Hedonic - clearly etymologically related to hedonism, the reckless pursuit of pleasure - is the Happiness Lite that often passes for the real deal. It was actually a contemporary of Aristotle, Aristippus, who championed this and it's clearly visible in many aspects of the world we live in.
But then Aristotle countered it with his own term - Eudaimonia. Tougher to spell and tougher to achieve but more lasting, this is about living by your values, having goals, pursuing your potential. This is #livingyourbestlife and genuinely so. It repeats over the centuries, including in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and currently evident in values-driven brands and organisations.
Teams with purpose are consistently more ambitious, more ready to hold themselves and their colleagues to account, more likely to work alongside one another collaboratively. Ultimately they're more productive and resilient.
So put your trust in the ancients, embrace Eudaimonia and reap the rewards.
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