Robert Waldinger

Speech Topics

• What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness

  What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone—but, according to a long-running life study, you’re also mistaken. As the director of an 80-year-old study of adult development, Robert Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on what brings true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, Waldinger shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how you can build a fulfilling, long life.

• The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things — What Really Makes Us Happy

  Would you rather be rich in things or experiences? Advertising, Facebook, and most media give the impression that material wealth is the key to a good life. On the other hand, wisdom traditions have long taught us that material wealth does not bring lasting joy. Science supports this wisdom, showing that material things make us less happy (and for shorter periods of time) than experiences, and personal connections bring more joy than physical objects. Taking findings from his lifespan research, the teachings of Zen, and examples from the media, Robert Waldinger shares the difference between what we expect to make us happy and what actually creates a sense of wellbeing

• Why Relationships in the Workplace Matter More Than You Think — and How to Embrace Them

  Relationships are vital not only to our personal health and happiness — they’re also central to an organization’s success. Research has shown that productivity on a team and in larger organizations depends less on IQ and/or aggressiveness than on positive personal connections with others. The quality of these connections impacts loyalty, job satisfaction, collaboration, and innovation. Despite this, worker disengagement is running rampant, with loneliness in the workplace at an all-time high.  So how do organizations cultivate a relationship-centric approach in order to empower a higher-functioning workforce? In this talk, Robert Waldinger shares research on how organizations can help or hinder people’s psychological and physical health and gives advice on how companies can create more healthy work environments.

• Stress in the Workplace and your Health - how our work lives can break down our bodies or keep them healthy

  There are amazing studies about how our work life can create conditions that promote better health or break down our health. Where you are in an organizational hierarchy is important. But it turns out that your sense of control over what you do is even more important in affecting your health, as is the sense of meaning in your work. These findings have important implications for how organizations can promote or hinder people’s psychological and physical health.

• Mindfulness and the Practice of Zen

  Mindfulness, when developed into a meditation practice, gradually brings about a fundamental shift in the experience of self in the world. And this shift has tremendous power to ease suffering.

Books

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I check Robert Waldinger's availability or request a quote?

  You can inquire about Robert Waldinger's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
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• Why book Robert Waldinger through Key Speakers?

  We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.