As the CEO of groundbreaking online retailer Zappos, Tony Hsieh worked hard to deliver happiness to everyone around him. Zappos’ call-center employees for example were famously encouraged to interact with customers in joyful and quirky conversations that led to genuine human connections. He ensured that entry-level employees were paid above minimum wage, built an office culture where partying was the norm, and even wrote a New York Times bestselling book, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose, which became a bible for entrepreneurs on a similar search for deeper meaning in business.
But his death in 2020, at 46, revealed a darker side to his life, one marred by untreated mental health and addiction issues. In our book, Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, we explore the paradoxical effect of focusing on happiness as a business metric. Our research shows that the elusive search for more joy tends to make people less happy and lonelier — that a fun, joyful environment doesn’t necessarily build inner peace and improve mental health. So what else can a CEO do to create a better environment for their employees?
Surround yourself with your most trusted friends
Hsieh himself acknowledged that people are bad at predicting what will make them happy, but it was nonetheless his brand — one that drew people to him. He generously invested money and time into his friends’ and acquaintances’ businesses and dreams. Invest your time in building and maintaining friendships with people who challenge you, rather than placate you. Seek meaningful bonds with those friends. Hsieh often skipped the small talk and asked friends and acquaintances, “What would it take to reach your full potential?” to jump into deeper, sometimes life-changing conversations.
Stay present in your leadership
Being in the now — through meditation and greater awareness of each moment — isn’t a new concept, but Tony Hsieh had trouble applying it to his entrepreneurial life at times. Like so many creative business thinkers, Hsieh endlessly pursued the next great business evolution: bringing retail online, building a profitable company focused on workplace happiness, implementing Holacracy to give workers autonomy.
But he often dismissed his failures and moved on to the next big idea, to his own detriment. Every day, think about what you value about your company, and your life, as it is right now. How does that prepare you for your next failure, or even the overwhelming life changes of a huge success?
Be wary of Silicon Valley’s easy solutions
Hsieh constantly read self-improvement books — from pop psychology to theories about how to work faster and better — and turned to biohacking in an attempt to improve himself. But Hsieh, like all humans, couldn’t be reduced to a formula, and his struggles with mental health and addiction only worsened through the years, as the pressures of being the leader of a billion-dollar company mounted.
Hsieh’s life shows what a profound impact a CEO can have on those around him. As leaders, it’s important to lead from the top. Instead of easy solutions, focus instead on measures that bring you professional and personal satisfaction, like commitment, courage or loyalty. When things get difficult, seek outside help from mental health professionals using evidence-based treatments. It’s your job to create a thoughtful workplace that encourages open and honest dialogue about mental health.
EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES
From the September 2022 issue of Inc. Magazine
