1. WHAT MAKES LAWYERS HAPPY REDEFINING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS?
Larry Krieger, FSU Law

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

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

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

6. 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….)

7. Most shared article, New York Times… WHY?

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

9. 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…)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. 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.

20. (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
Tier 3
-VACATION
DAYS CHILDREN
MARRIED/LT
EXERCISE
PRAYER (AFFIL.)
ALCOHOL USE
.23
.20
.18
.07
-.12

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

22. 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

23. HOW TO CONTINUALLY INCREASE WELL-BEING

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

25. 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

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

27. 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?

28. 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?

29. 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)

30. 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..).

31. 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!

32. THANK YOU