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Shawn Achor is an American author and speaker renowned for his pioneering work in positive psychology. With degrees from Harvard University in both psychology and ethics, Shawn’s career centres on the powerful relationship between happiness and success, which he has explored in depth through research, lectures, and widely celebrated books. Known for his engaging storytelling and humour, Shawn captivates audiences across the globe, inspiring them to embrace happiness as a key to unlocking potential. His insights are impactful, making him one of the world’s most sought-after speakers on positive psychology and performance.
Starting his career at Harvard, Shawn initially worked as a teaching assistant for Tal Ben-Shahar’s popular course on happiness. These early experiences deepened his interest in positive psychology, leading him to found GoodThinkInc in 2007, an organisation committed to promoting workplace performance through positive thinking. Later, he co-founded The Institute for Applied Positive Research, which continues to advance research into how happiness influences performance. Shawn’s TEDx talk, with over 25 million views, and his bestselling book, ‘The Happiness Advantage’, have made him a leading figure in the field, cementing his influence in corporate and academic circles alike.
In recent years, Shawn’s achievements have expanded further, with his research and insights featured on the cover of Harvard Business Review and numerous appearances on popular platforms. His PBS lecture reached millions, and his work on managing stress, conducted in collaboration with Yale University, was published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. His second book, ‘Big Potential’, published in 2018, explores the importance of collective empowerment, advocating for collaborative success. A frequent collaborator with Oprah Winfrey, Shawn has also been honoured on her SuperSoul100 list, underscoring his impact as a thought leader in his field.
Shawn Achor is a top choice for organisations seeking to foster resilience, positivity, and growth. His relatable approach and transformative insights make him a natural fit for diverse audiences, from corporate executives to educators and healthcare professionals. With a unique blend of science and humour, Shawn offers actionable strategies that not only inspire but drive real change, which is why he remains a trusted voice in the pursuit of happiness and success. Book Shawn Achor now to inspire growth, positivity, and real change in your organisation!
Shawn Achor is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“An amazing event! It was such fun and so stimulating to have Shawn at Facebook! As we strive to help the world become more open and connected, remaining positive and grateful for meaningful and productive relationships is essential! Shawn’s ideas and research is very insightful to us as we think about our mission. Thank you!”
“We can’t thank Shawn enough for making this year’s Johnson & Johnson OCMO Leadership Team meeting such a success. His presentation was a highlight of our event. Our meeting objectives focused on audience engagement, leadership skills, structured networking and fun – Shawn helped us achieve all of these and then some. I’ve already witnessed my colleagues engaging in the happiness habits, and I’m practising them myself!”
“Our expectations for Shawn’s talk at our recent H.R. Conference was quite high, given what I had seen of his TED talk and having read much of The Happiness Advantage = and all those expectations were exceeded! While I knew the content would be powerful and anticipated the delivery would be engaging, I underestimated the positive impact it would have on the audience beyond the conference. The attendees have been quite energized and have begun taking actions to be happier and more grateful in their own lives. Further, while the learning will be applicable at our workplace, I think the attendees felt he impact was transferable to all aspects of their lives (and their families).”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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