At our recent 15-year Stanford University Graduate School of Business reunion, my classmates honored me by asking me to speak on the topic of happiness. I’m no happiness expert. But here’s what happened: I wound up facilitating a conversation about happiness, which, for high-achieving MBA types, is a nuanced subject. In the course of our conversation, we talked about the trade-offs that are necessary when you’re building a business, or embarking on a journey of any kind…a subject business school graduates know all too well. We discussed how these trade-offs can be difficult, of course, but they won’t come at the expense of your happiness - if you make the intentional choice to be happy. Of course, there will be temporary moments of sadness or fear. But overall, if you’re content with the life you’ve chosen, the quality of the relationships you’ve built, and the work you’re doing to make an impact on the world, you’ll feel a sense of peace…which is often the prelude to happiness. I'm especially grateful to Edoardo Croce, Judith Duval, Charles Moore, and Michelle Vitus for their invaluable collaboration in creating this discussion. I’m still not a happiness expert, but I was glad to dive into these conversations more deeply at our reunion. They reminded me to feel gratitude for the happiness I have in my own life, in following my interests, building a wonderful family, and finding purpose in my work.
Natalie, you may not be an expert but I always feel your happiness whenever we speak!
Trade-offs are incredibly difficult. You're so right, Natalie!
Beautiful, Natalie!
Thank you Natalie. Sounds like a worthy conversation for a 15th MBA Reunion!
Natalie - you are inspiring and so thoughtful, wish you could come speak at my reunion too!