The most unlikely ingredient to a successful career in Washington
Dec 21, 2023
auto_awesome
Former president of the American Enterprise Institute, Arthur Brooks, discusses the relationship between power and happiness in Washington. He shares insights on obtaining happiness and the problem with relying on worldly achievements. The podcast also explores collaborations with influential figures, the evolution of intelligence over the lifespan, and the dangers of workaholism. Seven rules for long-term happiness and well-being are highlighted, along with coping with anxiety and managing social media.
Material success does not guarantee fulfillment; focus on inner well-being and personal fulfillment for true happiness.
Embrace the spiral career model for professional satisfaction, allowing for flexibility and alignment with one's overall purpose.
Genuine relationships beyond utility are essential for happiness; embrace diversity and differences for more fulfilling connections.
Deep dives
The Inverse Relationship Between Success and Happiness
The pursuit of power, money, pleasure, and fame often comes at the expense of true happiness. Material success does not guarantee fulfillment. Research shows that happiness leads to success, not the other way around. It is important to detach oneself from accomplishments and focus on inner well-being and personal fulfillment.
The Spiral Career Model
Traditional linear career paths are not the only way to achieve professional satisfaction. There are various career models, including the expert, transitory, and spiral models. The spiral model is characterized by a series of mini careers, designed in accordance with one's personal mission and goals. The focus is on personal growth, values, and adapting to different stages in life and interests. Embracing the spiral career model allows for more flexibility and alignment with one's overall purpose.
The Importance of Useless Friends and Difference in Relationships
Friendships based solely on convenience or transactional benefits are not enough. Genuine relationships and friendships that go beyond utility are essential for happiness. Useless friends, those who are not motivated by personal gain, provide emotional support and connection. In romantic relationships, it is important to have differences and stimulation. Compatibility is important, but too much similarity can lead to dissatisfaction. Embracing diversity and embracing differences can lead to more exciting and fulfilling relationships.
The Importance of Loving Your Enemies and Thriving
The podcast explores the difference between power-based approaches and loving your enemies as a long-term strategy for success and happiness. The speaker emphasizes that while some books on power, influenced by Machiavelli and the Art of War, tout manipulation and aggression, following a path of love and kindness is a fundamentally sounder and more effective approach. By choosing love, leaders can endure and thrive with a better life. The speaker acknowledges that there is a place for power-based approaches, but the long-term benefits of loving your enemies outweigh them.
The Dangers of Workaholism and the Importance of Self-Identity
The podcast highlights the dangers of workaholism and the negative impact it can have on one's life and self-identity. The speaker emphasizes the need for balance in work, highlighting that while fulfilling work is important, becoming overly attached to one's career can lead to a desiccated and impoverished life. They discuss the importance of having coping mechanisms for anxiety, such as writing down anxieties to prevent rumination. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the value of constant learning and the role of love, both in stable romantic partnerships and close friendships, as crucial components of long-term happiness.
Arthur Brooks ran the American Enterprise Institute for more than a decade. Now, he’s a fulltime happiness scientist. Here’s his guide to making it in Washington without sacrificing your humanity.
Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO. Arthur Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit and Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and the author of "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier". Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio. Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio.