144: Shawn Achor | Why Success and Happiness Aren't Mutually Exclusive

Social Connection

Shawn Achor emphasizes the profound impact of social connections on success and well-being. He explains that the greatest predictor of long-term happiness and success is one's social connection score, which measures the depth and meaning of social relationships 1. This concept extends beyond personal happiness, influencing professional success and even longevity. Shawn shares a personal turning point when he sought help from friends during depression, highlighting the importance of social support 1.

The turning point for me was when I had to turn to my eight closest friends and family and say for the past two years I've been depressed. I have no idea how to get out of this, but I really need your help.

--- Shawn Achor

Building social support can be as simple as writing a two-minute positive email to someone in your network daily, which significantly raises one's social support scale 2.

   

Collaborative Success

Collaboration and positive peer pressure are key to achieving greater success and performance. Shawn Achor illustrates this with examples from nature and business, such as the synchronized flashing of fireflies, which dramatically increases their success rate 3. He argues that teamwork and social cohesion are more predictive of success than individual attributes, as demonstrated by Google's Project Aristotle 3.

The majority of your potential and success is predicted by how well you interact with the entire ecosystem of potential around you, your friends, your coworkers, the people that are around you.

--- Shawn Achor

Positive peer pressure, where surrounding oneself with high-potential individuals, can elevate one's own potential, challenging the Western ideal of the lone hero 4.

   

Overcoming Together

Facing challenges with others can significantly alter our perception and ability to overcome them. Shawn Achor shares that when he opened up about his depression, the support he received made his challenges feel less daunting 5. This collective effort not only aids in overcoming personal hurdles but also enhances academic and professional performance.

If I'm looking at a mountain I need to climb in front of me, my brain perceives a mountain that's 10 to 20 percent steeper when I'm looking at it alone, as opposed to viewing that hill with someone who's going to climb it with me.

--- Shawn Achor

This shift in perception underscores the importance of not facing challenges alone, as shared experiences can reduce the perceived difficulty of obstacles 6.