The Happiness Lab

07/10/2026

And that’s a wrap on our Leadership Fitness Program with the Leadership Illawarra Program Class of 2025/26! 💪

Two years, a whole lot of conversations, reflections, growth and plenty of laughs along the way.

It’s been such a privilege to work alongside an incredible group of leaders from across the Illawarra, all bringing different experiences, perspectives and a shared willingness to learn, challenge themselves and grow.

A reminder that leadership isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about staying curious, doing the work and continuing to show up.

Here’s to stronger leaders, better workplaces and a whole lot of good work ahead!

30/09/2026

If you're asking for feedback and getting radio silence, it might be time to ask a different question. Here’s a few you can steal for you next 1:1.

25/09/2026

You can always count on Ted to deliver an A+ leadership and life lesson 👏

07/07/2026

03/07/2026

Leaders, if you've been looking for a sign to have that difficult conversation, this is it.

26/06/2026

Looking for your next leadership read?

Here are six books that have shaped we think about leadership, workplace wellbeing, and human behaviour at work.

1. Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters, De Neve & Ward — If you need the evidence that employee wellbeing drives performance.

2. Where the Light Gets In, Ben Crowe — If you want to build a high-performing mindset.

3. The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor — If you want to understand how happiness fuels success.

4. Right Kind of Wrong, Amy Edmondson — If you want your team to think about and use failure wisely.

5. Emotional Agility, Susan David, Ph.D. — If, like most, your emotions are good at taking the wheel and you'd like to learn how to take it back.

6. Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek — If you need a case for why good leadership means putting people before ego.

What leadership book would you add to the list?

This is part 1 of 2. We'll share another six of our faves next week.

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09/06/2026

One of the biggest differences between high-performing workplaces and average ones is the frequency of feedback.

In most workplaces, feedback is treated as a special event. It's saved for the yearly performance review or for when things have gone terribly wrong.

In high-performing cultures, feedback is part of everyday conversations. It's timely. It's specific. And, most importantly, it's expected.

When feedback is woven into the culture, people grow faster, performance improves, and small issues are addressed before they become big ones.

Want to build a stronger culture of feedback in your team? Let us know in the comments and we'll send you a copy of our Good Feedback Guide.

17/04/2026

16/04/2026

Wait, who let me be in charge?

14/04/2026

'My team needs to be more accountable.' Leaders tell us this every day.

The want more ownership, more honesty, and less blame.

But accountability doesn’t come from asking for it.
It comes from what your team sees you do when things go wrong.

Own it → they learn it’s safe to do the same.
Deflect it → they learn to protect themselves.

Culture is built in these moments. Your team are watching.