Strategy Through AWE
Harnessing Awe in the Workplace to Enhance Employee Well-Being and Innovation
Awe has been shown to increase happiness by altering perceptions of time and improving life satisfaction. Happiness, in this context, is defined as a positive emotional state characterized by life satisfaction, joy, and an overall sense of well-being.
A study by Rudd, Vohs, and Aaker (2012) examined how awe affects happiness. The researchers found that awe, an emotion triggered by experiencing something vast and overwhelming, expands an individual’s perception of time. Participants who experienced awe, compared to those feeling happiness or neutral emotions, reported feeling that they had more time. This perception of abundant time reduces impatience and leads to behaviors associated with greater well-being, such as a preference for experiential over material goods and increased willingness to volunteer their time.
Here are some specific ways leaders can introduce awe into the workplace, backed by data from the study:
1. Incorporate Awe-Inspiring Visuals or Media
Action: Leaders can incorporate awe-evoking imagery or media, such as videos or visuals of natural wonders, space, or extraordinary human achievements, into office spaces or during meetings.
Data: In the study, participants who viewed a 60-second awe-eliciting video reported a greater sense of time availability and life satisfaction compared to those who viewed a happiness-inducing video. This shows that even brief exposure to awe-inspiring content can have measurable effects on well-being.
2. Design Experiential Team Activities
Action: Leaders can organize team-building activities that involve awe-inducing experiences, such as outdoor retreats, museum visits, or virtual reality experiences that expose employees to vast or extraordinary environments.
Data: The study found that participants in the awe condition were 11% more likely to choose experiences over material goods compared to those in a neutral condition. This suggests that employees may value and benefit more from experience-based activities that elicit awe.
3. Encourage Reflection on Awe-Inspiring Moments
Action: Leaders can create opportunities for employees to reflect on awe-inducing moments in their lives, such as moments of personal achievement, travel, or natural beauty. This could be done through storytelling sessions or prompts during meetings.
Data: In the study, participants who wrote about an awe-inspiring experience were more willing to volunteer their time suggesting that reflecting on awe increases prosocial behavior and time generosity, which can contribute to a more collaborative and supportive workplace.
4. Foster a Culture of Innovation and Learning
Action: Leaders can cultivate an environment that encourages curiosity, learning, and exposure to awe-inspiring ideas, such as cutting-edge technologies, groundbreaking research, or inspiring guest speakers.
Data: Awe triggers a desire for new knowledge and broadens perspective, which can lead to more expansive thinking and openness to new ideas. In the study, awe’s ability to expand perceptions of time led participants to feel more present and focused, factors that are crucial for creativity and innovation.
By intentionally incorporating awe into the workplace, leaders can enhance employees' happiness, reduce stress, and promote a more engaged, collaborative, and innovative work environment.
Wharton, in collaboration with experts like Dacher Keltner, emphasizes the role of awe in fostering creativity, collaboration, and improved decision-making. Their approach includes "awe interventions," where leaders are encouraged to integrate awe into their daily lives through activities such as mindful reflection, nature walks, or experiencing art and music. These practices help shift perspectives, enhance emotional well-being, and ultimately improve leadership effectiveness by connecting individuals to a broader sense of purpose and collaboration
To further enhance your leadership skills and prioritize employee mental health, we recommend enrolling in the course Transformational Leadership and Employee Mental Health. This course will equip you with strategies to create a supportive, innovative, and awe-inspiring workplace that fosters emotional well-being, reduces stress, and boosts engagement.
