Challenging Notions of Success: CEOs, Resilience, and Happiness

Meet Sarah and Mark, two successful CEOs in different industries. On the surface, Sarah appears to have it all – a lavish lifestyle, luxurious vacations, and substantial wealth. In contrast, Mark lives more modestly, prioritizing frugality and contributing a significant part of his income to charitable causes. You might think Sarah is happier due to her wealth and extravagant life, while Mark, despite his modest living, might seem to struggle more. This essay explores and challenges the notion that financial success guarantees well-being.

In today’s corporate world, stress is rampant, affecting employees’ well-being and organizational productivity. The pressures of modern business environments can be overwhelming, and it’s not just the employees who bear the brunt. CEOs, the leaders of these organizations, also grapple with high-stress levels and unique challenges. However, there’s a growing realization that resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, plays a crucial role in combating workplace stress and improving mental health.

Kermott et al., in their study titled “Is higher resilience predictive of lower stress and better mental health among corporate executives?” shed light on the stress epidemic in the corporate realm. They emphasize the shocking statistic that approximately 80% of US workers report workplace stress. This alarming figure underscores the pervasive nature of the problem and its profound impact on the workforce.

Another study by Smith and Johnson, titled “The Relationship Between Resilience and Occupational Stress,” delves deeper into the protective role of resilience in the face of workplace stress. Their research findings highlight that resilience is not a passive trait but an active defense against the adverse effects of occupational stress. It acts as a buffer, safeguarding individuals from the harmful effects of stress.

Personal and professional growth is a fundamental part of self-improvement. This journey involves continuous learning, skill development, and the pursuit of challenging goals. For CEOs, this journey is ongoing and equips them with resilience and effective coping mechanisms to handle the stress of their demanding roles. Justin Berg, an assistant professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, suggests that embracing growth, both personally and professionally, enhances an individual’s ability to withstand stress. This implies that the pursuit of self-improvement is not solely about achieving success but also about fostering resilience.

Happiness isn’t solely about wealth and luxury. It’s about finding purpose and contributing to the greater good. Many CEOs actively engage in philanthropic initiatives and create positive societal impacts. Take Bill Gates, for example, who, through his foundation, exemplifies how contributing to society provides a profound sense of purpose. These acts of philanthropy and contribution often bring immense fulfillment and happiness to CEOs, transcending the boundaries of financial success.

There are different facets of well-being, and it’s not limited to a hedonic pursuit of pleasure. Eudaimonic well-being, which centers on finding meaning and self-actualization, stands in contrast to hedonic well-being. CEOs who actively pursue personal and professional growth tend to experience eudaimonic well-being, which is closely linked to enduring happiness and contentment. It’s not only about fleeting moments of joy; it’s about a deep and enduring sense of well-being.

Contrastingly, those individuals striving for perfection often experience heightened anxiety, dissatisfaction, and chronic stress. Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword, often leading to more harm than good. On the other hand, the pursuit of personal and professional growth emphasizes improvement and resilience, minimizing the negative impact of perfectionism. A growth mindset, characterized by the belief in one’s ability to develop and improve, plays a crucial role in attaining happiness. It promotes an ongoing path of self-improvement and adaptation, empowering individuals to overcome challenges and sustain a positive outlook.

When we look at CEOs Sarah and Mark, we find an interesting paradox. Sarah, with her opulent lifestyle and wealth, and Mark, who lives more modestly while giving back, challenge our assumptions about happiness. In today’s business world, stress is a big issue, affecting people at all levels, including CEOs. But there’s an important idea here – resilience, the ability to bounce back from tough times, can help with stress and mental well-being. It’s not just about handling pressure; it’s about thriving in it, and we can learn this from these CEOs.

In conclusion, happiness is more than just money and stuff; it’s about having a purpose and making a positive difference. Bill Gates is a good example, as his charity work gives him deep satisfaction beyond financial success. This essay also talks about well-being. It’s not only about short-term pleasures; there’s another kind called eudaimonic well-being, which means finding meaning and reaching your potential, and it’s important for lasting happiness. On the other hand, trying to be perfect all the time often makes people more stressed and unhappy. But focusing on self-improvement and believing you can grow can lead to contentment and a positive attitude. Ultimately, this essay demonstrates that self-improvement and resilience are pivotal to the happiness of CEOs. It reminds us that real happiness is often found in the journey, not just the destination.

References

05, J., | by Corey Binns, Binns, C., Berg, J. M., Wrzesniewski, A., Grant, A. M., Kurkoski, J., & Welle, B. (2022, July 5). Take this job and love it: How a growth mindset can boost happiness at work. Stanford Graduate School of Business. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/take-job-love-it-how-growth-mindset-can-boost-happiness-work

Everett, C. (2023a, May 2). Why CEOS’ mental health is business-critical. Raconteur. https://www.raconteur.net/leadership/ceo-mental-health#:~:text=A%20survey%20by%20Deloitte%20last,to%20reset%20their%20emotional%20balance.

Everett, C. (2023b, May 2). Why CEOS’ mental health is business-critical. Raconteur. https://www.raconteur.net/leadership/ceo-mental-health#:~:text=A%20survey%20by%20Deloitte%20last,to%20reset%20their%20emotional%20balance.

Kermott, C. A., Johnson, R. E., Sood, R., Jenkins, S. M., & Sood, A. (n.d.). Is higher resilience predictive of Lower Stress and better mental health among corporate executives?. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0218092