WHAT MAKES LAWYERS HAPPY REDEFINING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS? Larry Krieger, FSU Law lkrieger@law.fsu.edu

THE CHALLENGE HAPPINESS & SATISFACTION MENTAL HEALTH/ADDICTION ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

WHAT MAKES LAWYERS HAPPY ? (Krieger/Sheldon, Geo. Wash. L.R. 2015)

THE STUDY 6200 lawyers, 140 judges, 4 states Self-Determination Theory Subjective Well-being Standardized correlations (“R” values)

SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING 24 VALIDATED MEASURES POSITIVE EMOTIONS (8) (enthusiastic, strong, active…) NEGATIVE EMOTIONS (8) (Nervous, guilty, fearful…) LIFE SATISFACTION SCALE (6) (I feel very satisfied with life… A lot would have to change….)

Most shared article, New York Times… WHY?

WE THOUGHT SUCCESS WOULD MAKE US HAPPY. THAT WAS NOT QUITE ACCURATE.

DATA: TWO DISTINCT FORMS OF SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS TRADITIONAL SUCCESS - EXTERNAL (income, status, honors, fame…) INTERNAL SUCCESS - PERSONAL (integrity, closeness to others, enjoyment/meaning in work…)

VERY DIFFERENT IMPACTS ON LAWYER WELL-BEING External success is slightly helpful for well-being (r = .00 - .19) Internal success is critical for well-being (r = .48 - .66)

CONTRASTING QUALITIES EXTERNAL SUCCESS INTERNAL SUCCESS Visible palpable Limited resources abundant, no limits Competitive (stress) no competition Differentiates connects, unifies

Critical Well-Being Factors are Internal AUTONOMY/AUTHENTICITY R = .66 RELATEDNESS TO OTHERS R = .65 WORK MOTIVATION AND COMPETENCE R = .55, .63

FIRST NEED: AUTONOMY/AUTHENTICITY (.66) “My behavior shows my true self.” “My choices express my true values.” This is integrity, core of professionalism.

SECOND NEED: RELATEDNESS TO OTHERS (.65) Relating well, feeling close to others Requires decency and respect, second pillar of professionalism.

SATISFACTION FROM WORK: INTERNAL MOTIVATION (.55) Work is interesting, enjoyable. Work expresses values, fulfills life purpose. Generates engagement and excellence, third pillar of professionalism.

EXTERNAL SUCCESS IS ATTRACTIVE, BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY HELPFUL FOR WELL-BEING

SUCCESS CONTRAST 1: Lawyer Groups and Happiness “SERVICE” LAWYERS (Least pay, most internal factors) ARE HAPPIER THAN… “PRESTIGE” LAWYERS (Most pay, least internal factors)

SUCCESS CONTRAST 2: MAKING PARTNER Junior partners have the same well-being as senior associates. Partner status and 70% greater earnings, zero increase in well-being.

(standardized correlations) FIVE TIERS WB FACTORS (standardized correlations)   SWB Tier 1 AUTHENTICITY RELATEDNESS COMPETENCE -INTERNAL MOTIV. .66 .65 .63 .55 Tier 2 -AUTONOMY SUPPORT -INTRINSIC VALUES .44 .30 Tier 4 INCOME SCHOOL DEBT CLASS RANK SCHOOL RANK LAW JOURNAL -MADE PARTNER BILLABLE HRS.   .19 .12 .05 .01 .00 -.10  Tier 5 AGE OTHER DEMOG. .17 .00-.03 Tier 3 -VACATION DAYS CHILDREN MARRIED/LT EXERCISE PRAYER (AFFIL.) ALCOHOL USE   .23 .20 .18 .07 -.12

REFRAME PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS SUCCESS INCLUDES WELL-BEING. FIRST SEEK INTERNAL SUCCESS, THEN EXTERNAL SUCCESS. DO NOT DISPLACE INTERNAL SUCCESS WITH PAY, ETC.

PROFILE OF A HAPPY LAWYER Knows and appreciates herself Seeks to improve more than accumulate Often feels close to others Seeks to help others, community Finds meaning and enjoyment in work Gives and receives support at work Growth mindset

HOW TO CONTINUALLY INCREASE WELL-BEING

ONE ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE WELL-BEING: FEELING CLOSE, MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. WITH SELF (AUTHENTICITY) WITH OTHERS (RELATEDNESS) WITH WORK (COMPETENCE & INTERNAL MOTIVATION)

EACH OF US CAN IMPROVE IN SMALL STEPS (GROWTH MINDSET) EACH OF US CAN IMPROVE IN SMALL STEPS (GROWTH MINDSET). SIMPLE REFLECTIONS AND ACTIONS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

EXERCISE INTERNAL SKILLS Seek small changes. Stop and reflect, brief but regular Be open and honest with yourself. Keep seeking meaningful connection.

Connecting to Your Self (.66) HOW HAVE I BEEN FEELING LATELY? HOW CAN I DO A LITTLE MORE OF WHAT I ENJOY OR CARE ABOUT (personal time)? WHAT WOULD I LIKE TO IMPROVE IN MY SELF?

Relating to Others (.65) (personal and at work) WHO ARE MY IMPORTANT OTHERS? WHEN DO I GIVE THEM FULL ATTENTION? AM I KIND? RESPECTFUL? HOW CAN I BE CLOSER TO ANY OF THEM?

Connecting with Work (.55) HOW MUCH OF MY WORK REALLY MATTERS TO ME? HOW MUCH OF MY WORK DO I ENJOY? WHERE CAN I MAKE SMALL IMPROVEMENTS? DO I NEED HELP WITH WORK SATISFACTION? (MENTOR, COACH)

CREATE WELL-BEING HABITS Stop and reflect. Brief but regular. Increase feeling of connectedness. Share your thoughts, don’t isolate. Everyone needs help. Ask for, and offer, regularly (friend, counselor..).

Related Resources What Makes Lawyers Happy? (SSRN or Geo. Wash. Law Review, 2015); SSRN.com How to Be the Happiest – and Most Effective – Lawyer You Can Be (ABA, July, 2018); SSRN.com Hidden Sources of Law School Stress (LK or Ebook) Deeper Understanding of Your Career Choices (LK) THANK YOU!

THANK YOU LKRIEGER@LAW.FSU.EDU