Big Idea Session

Shawn Achor

Happiness Researcher and New York Times Bestselling Author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential

After spending twelve years at Harvard University, Shawn Achor has become one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between a positive brain and success. Shawn has traveled to over 50 countries researching how our beliefs predict our future outcomes. He is a NYTimes bestselling author of four books including The Happiness Advantage which has sold over a million copies. His research made the cover of Harvard Business Review, his TED talk is one of the most popular of all time with over 25 million views, and his PBS program has been seen by millions. To do his research, Shawn has worked with over a third of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as the NFL, NASA, and six battalions of Marines at Camp Pendleton. He was invited for two interviews with Oprah Winfrey at her house for Super Soul Sunday, and Shawn is one of only two external speakers to ever speak to the President's staff at Camp David. But Shawn says he is most proud of his work with low-income schools and bringing magic to the lives of his two wonderful children.

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Sessions

Big ideas session

Thursday, April 30, 10:50AM - 12:05PM

The Power of Beliefs: Seven Core Beliefs that Drive Performance, Engagement & Purpose

The greatest predictor of future performance is the beliefs you hold about the world. Beliefs do more than shape the lens through which we see the world. They shape what happens next. Scientifically, beliefs don’t just reflect reality. Beliefs bend reality. In this extraordinary new talk, world renowned researcher and New York Times bestselling author Shawn Achor illuminates how seven “core beliefs” change the math about what is possible and probable in our lives. And by changing the math, beliefs change our path.

Using stunning new research, Shawn reveals how these core beliefs take the cap off our potential or hold us down, enrich or impoverish us, heal us or they make us sicker. Drawing on two decades of research, as well as his work with NASA, the NFL and over a third of the Fortune 100 companies, Shawn outlines six strategies for undoing limiting beliefs and strengthening the empowering ones so we can help shape the lenses of others to improve performance, strengthen resilience and to create a better life and society.

Practical Takeaways:

Understanding how beliefs predict our future outcomes
The seven core beliefs that the most successful people and teams hold
Six strategies for how to rewire limiting beliefs and strengthen empowering ones
How leaders can intentionally cultivate positive core beliefs to create cultures where people thrive

Shawn Achor