THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY AUGUST 2024 37 addiction rang true, and she was grateful for the practical advice Brooks gave. “There are so many things in life we can’t control, like traffic,” she said. “But I understand now that I need to focus on the things I can change, like my own daily habits.” Adam Meier from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs found the discussion of neuroscience insightful and is thinking about how to incorporate teaching happiness into his team’s work on academic exchange programs. Peter Redmond, director of FSI’s Center of Excellence in Foreign Affairs Resilience, came away inspired to explore more ways to tap into the science to promote greater meaning and happiness in State Department work from the top down. “There are natural corollaries between this research and our work at the department—particularly for our leadership. Now we need a broader embrace,” said Redmond. There is growing interest in how happiness contributes to strong leadership, as FSO Johanna Villalobos laid out in her April 2024 Foreign Service Journal Speaking Out article, “The Surprising Secret to Powerful Leadership.” As research increasingly shows, happy people are more productive and innovative. They inspire others and, by doing so, have the potential to create real and lasting change. Villalobos, who recently completed a yearlong Cox Fellowship examining happiness and leadership, helped organize the Brooks event. In fact, since 2021, State Department leadership has been increasingly willing to acknowledge the need for a better workplace environment. When presenting the modernization agenda, Secretary Blinken said, “We have a window before us to make historic, lasting change, and we’re determined to seize it.” Making good on this commitment, FSI’s Leadership and Management School invited Brooks to lead a session at the June Chiefs of Mission Conference, focusing on how senior leaders can use their unique positions to create a healthier organizational culture and improve workforce well-being. Arthur Brooks’ parting words echoed this sentiment: Once we learn to balance happiness in our own lives, we should seize the opportunity to teach these skills and habits to others. “As a leader, you can create an ecosystem that makes it easier for people to pursue these skills,” said Brooks. “So, if you want to change the culture of your organization, then go out and be happiness teachers.” And, he added, if we as diplomats succeed in this, the world will undoubtedly be a better place. n
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