The Pursuit of Contentment: Lessons from Bhutan
When thinking about success, we often consider measures like wealth, power, and prestige. But in the Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, success is defined a bit differently - in terms of happiness and contentment.
Understanding the Bhutanese Perspective
In Bhutan, gross national happiness (GNH) is more than a charming idea—it's a guiding principle. This measure of collective well-being has been officially adopted by the government, reflecting a holistic approach to development that prioritizes happiness and spiritual, mental, and physical health over material wealth alone.
Contentment as a Way of Life
In Bhutan, contentment isn't something you seek—it's a way of life. It's intertwined with Buddhism, Bhutan's dominant religion, which teaches the acceptance of impermanence and the importance of compassion, equanimity, and mindfulness. It's also linked to the nation's respect for nature, with more than 70% of the country covered in forests and its constitution demanding a minimum of 60% forest coverage for future generations.
Lessons for Leaders
For leaders and executives, Bhutan's focus on contentment provides insightful lessons. The pursuit of happiness and contentment, balanced with the attainment of professional goals, can lead to more satisfied, motivated, and productive teams. It's about creating a work environment that fosters personal growth and well-being alongside professional achievement.
How Abroad Embodies These Lessons
At Abroad, we've integrated these lessons into our Leadership Quests for Global Visionaries program, particularly during our Bhutan Quest. We take executives on a journey to learn firsthand from the Bhutanese approach to contentment and happiness. This immersive experience encourages leaders to reflect on their definitions of success and to consider how they might cultivate contentment within their teams and organizations.
As leaders experience profound personal transformations, they are then encouraged to work with our luminary leaders and coaches to apply the wisdom to the products and services they bring to society, and the environments they create for their teams.
Conclusion
Contentment, as practiced in Bhutan, is a potent antidote to the relentless pursuit of material success often seen in the business world. By prioritizing happiness and well-being, leaders can foster healthier, more productive, and more resilient teams that build more purpose-driven products and services. As we explore and learn from diverse cultures like Bhutan, we enrich our understanding of leadership and create a more balanced, fulfilling approach to success.
