Happiness Mantra the new corporate currency

Happiness Mantra the new corporate currency, Authors: Prof. S P Garg, Ms. Shweta Malik, Edited by Riya Gote, Publisher: Notionpress.com, Pp:228, Price: INR 390, Overseas $ 15, Language: English, First Edition: August 2024, ISBN:979-8-89498-580-0    

Happiness in personal life and in the workplace is a basic need of every human being. Success in the workplace is not the end, since what we need is a happy life. We all need work today and always, but we must work to get happiness along with it. In my vision, happiness is like a mirage. The Kasturi deer gets enchanted with the smell of Kasturi, runs here and there to ascertain its source, not knowing that it is contained in its own navel. We are constantly looking for happiness all around, though it is within us. This is true, at the personal level and for the corporate world. We become unhappy, for not being able to get happiness. People view happiness from different angles and with different parameters. There may be some factors which may be instrumental in causing our unhappiness. The beauty lies in achieving happiness despite such factors. We should learn from our own life, from the lives of other known people and successful celebrities. Many authors, Doctors and others have discussed and explored the mystery of happiness. But there is no ideal prescription yet, for happiness. We should also try to find ways and means ourselves to be happy in our life as well as make other human beings happy too. With this objective, the authors have ventured to bring out this excellent book as a treasure house of information, knowledge and experience based on the lives of other happy people and organizations. 

After the information about the publishing parameters, Preface, Acknowledgement, Brief about the authors, About the book, it presents Contents. The book has 16 Chapters. Towards the end of the book, Epilogue, Happiness Challenge, A note to self, A warm thank you, About the authors have been provided. The book contains 20+ case studies on corporate happiness strategies, insights from 100+ top corporates and leaders, 15+ mood-boosting activities and a 7-day happiness challenge to bring joy and success to the organization. Each Chapter of the book is purposeful. Chapter 2, “Unravelling the threads of corporate happiness”, states that corporate happiness includes well-being, satisfaction, and fulfilment of employees. It provides case studies of two companies in which surveys, interviews, and focus groups helped in transformation of the companies and cultural changes. Chapter 3 “How of Happiness” states that living with joy is an art. It gives examples of many organizations like Google, Zomato etc. who have adopted exemplary approach to employee happiness and built a culture of happiness. Some organizations have adopted mindfulness for happiness. It also describes an individual activity related to Ikigai, a Japanese concept. Chapter 9, “Success stories of happiness in organizations and Nations” discusses best practices and strategies and the role of technology. The practices followed in organizations like Akshya Patra Foundation, Goonj, etc. and those of some individuals, with a view to get happiness have been discussed in detail. Chapter 10 “Happiness: The new currency” states that happiness is becoming the hottest currency. It provides team discussions on work life balance, hybrid working, flexible schedules, moonlighting (side hustle culture), centralized communication, investing in employee’s health, upskilling, human and robot collaboration, and cultivating joy in workplace. Chapter 14 “Spreading Happiness through Leadership” states that Leaders can create and sustain cultures of happiness, provide ethical leadership and employee well-being. People leave Managers and not companies.

Before commencement of each of the Chapters, there is a relevant quotation of some celebrity. The Chapters have exercises, examples, details of activity, benefits, and what we derive. The language is easy to understand. The Quality of paper used, and the printing are both excellent. The Cover design is simple and colourful. The back cover page of the book has a brief description about the book along with the biodata of the two authors and the editor. Both the young and the experienced readers can find several useful guiding points about happiness. There is a lot to learn about being happy even in unfavourable situations.  It lays emphasis on the point that “Success is a journey. Not the destination.” Nothing is permanent in this world. Things come and go. A bad situation, and for that matter even a good situation will pass over. So, we should no doubt try our best, but happily accept with thanks, what God gives to us. We must develop our attitude, involve ourselves in other than work related activities and feel happy and spread happiness around. Every person must have had several occasions of unhappiness while trying to achieve happiness in his life. No one has had smooth sailing in his life. Considering in an overall manner, this book provides useful information, guidelines for the people and the corporate world to achieve happiness, for the entrepreneur, CEO, manager, youth, student etc. This book is helpful in the journey towards achieving corporate and personal happiness for ultimate improved results through increased productivity, fostering innovation, and attracting top talent. What is important is that we must study and make use of the contents of the book for our benefit. A comprehensive, excellent and must-read book.  

                                                             ---------Reviewer: vijaiksharma