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1. What was your first job?
My first real job was as a paper boy. I delivered papers to residents in our local neighborhood pushing an old, yellow cart and I learned very quickly that if I smiled and was nice to people, chatting for just a minute or so, they were far more generous with their tips!
2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
To be perfectly honest…I didn’t have a clue when I was young. Apart from having the usual boyhood dreams about playing cricket for Australia, or footy for my team, I really only knew what I didn’t want to do, as opposed to what I did want to do. It really wasn’t until I’d completed my undergraduate degree (a Bachelor of Science with honors in Psychology) and started a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology that I thought helping other people live better lives was my calling.
3. What does your job involve now?
As Founder and Chief Happiness Officer at The Happiness Institute my role is quite diverse. I oversee and drive the direction of all our coaching and consulting activities focusing mostly on keeping up to date with all the latest research and writings in positive psychology and developing effective and practical strategies and programs to help people and organisations flourish. More specifically, I spend most of my time speaking at conferences and to businesses; training and developing our growing team of coaches; writing a weekly column and a series of self-help books; and I’ve recently been appointed an Adjunct Professor so I also teach and conduct research.
4. Are you thinking of trying your hand in anything else?
Definitely not at this stage! In addition to running The Happiness Institute I also operate a clinical psychology practice so running two businesses and fulfilling my commitments at the University is more than enough for now especially as I also have a family and two children who are very important to me and with whom I try to spend as much time as possible. At the same time, however, at some stage in the future I’d love to write a novel.
5. What is the biggest challenge you face at work?
My greatest challenge is almost certainly meeting the increasing demand for our services and maintaining our very high standards. Positive psychology is very much in demand at the moment and specifically, our coaching, courses for the general public and our “Happiness at Work” programs are very popular. It’s very exciting to be at the forefront of this new and exciting field but it’s also very important to all of us here to ensure we continue to offer the very best.
6. What is the best part of your job?
It would undoubtedly be the opportunity to work with a great (and growing) team and to make people’s lives better every single day.
7. What is your advice for people starting out in your industry?
I guess my advice would be the same for anyone starting out in a new venture – be very clear about what it is you’re trying to achieve; develop optimism and resilience (because there will be ups and downs); identify and utilize your strengths and talents; surround yourself with the best people; and have fun!
8. What makes you happy?
In no particular order – my family, helping others, reading and learning, and watching my footy team win.
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