Understanding Lawyers' Happiness and Success
Explore the link between happiness, satisfaction, mental health, and ethical behavior among lawyers. Discover the factors impacting lawyers' well-being, the role of internal versus external success, and validated measures for emotions and life satisfaction.
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Larry Krieger, FSU Law lkrieger@law.fsu.edu
HAPPINESS & SATISFACTION HAPPINESS & SATISFACTION MENTAL HEALTH/ADDICTION MENTAL HEALTH/ADDICTION ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
WHAT MAKES LAWYERS HAPPY ? (Krieger/Sheldon, Geo. Wash. L.R. 2015)
6200 lawyers, 140 judges, 4 states 6200 lawyers, 140 judges, 4 states Self Self- -Determination Theory Determination Theory Subjective Well Subjective Well- -being being Standardized correlations ( R values) Standardized correlations ( R values)
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 Most shared article, New York Times WHY? WHY?
WE THOUGHT SUCCESS WOULD MAKE US HAPPY. WE THOUGHT SUCCESS WOULD MAKE US HAPPY. THAT WAS NOT QUITE ACCURATE. THAT WAS NOT QUITE ACCURATE.
TRADITIONAL SUCCESS - EXTERNAL (income, status, honors, fame ) INTERNAL SUCCESS - PERSONAL (integrity, closeness to others, enjoyment/meaning in work )
External success is slightly helpful for well External success is slightly helpful for well- -being (r = .00 being (r = .00 - - .19) .19) Internal success is critical for well Internal success is critical for well- -being (r = .48 being (r = .48 - - .66) .66)
EXTERNAL SUCCESS EXTERNAL SUCCESS INTERNAL SUCCESS INTERNAL SUCCESS Visible Limited resources abundant, no limits Competitive (stress) no competition Differentiates connects, unifies Visible Limited resources abundant, no limits Competitive (stress) no competition Differentiates connects, unifies palpable palpable
AUTONOMY/AUTHENTICITY AUTONOMY/AUTHENTICITY R = .66 RELATEDNESS TO OTHERS RELATEDNESS TO OTHERS R = .65 WORK MOTIVATION AND COMPETENCE WORK MOTIVATION AND COMPETENCE R = .55, .63
My behavior shows my true self. My choices express my true values. This is integrity, core of professionalism.
Relating well, feeling close to others Requires decency and respect, second pillar of professionalism.
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 EXTERNAL SUCCESS IS ATTRACTIVE, BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY HELPFUL FOR WELL- -BEING BEING
SERVICE LAWYERS (Least pay, most internal factors) SERVICE LAWYERS ARE HAPPIER THAN ARE HAPPIER THAN PRESTIGE LAWYERS (Most pay, least internal factors) PRESTIGE LAWYERS
Junior partners have the same well as senior associates. Junior partners have the same well- -being as senior associates. being Partner status and 70% greater earnings, zero increase in well Partner status and 70% greater earnings, zero increase in well- -being. being.
FIVE TIERS WB FACTORS (standardized correlations) FIVE TIERS WB FACTORS (standardized correlations) Tier 4 INCOME SCHOOL DEBT CLASS RANK SCHOOL RANK LAW JOURNAL - -MADE PARTNER BILLABLE HRS. Tier 5 AGE OTHER DEMOG. Tier 4 INCOME SCHOOL DEBT CLASS RANK SCHOOL RANK LAW JOURNAL MADE PARTNER BILLABLE HRS. Tier 5 AGE OTHER DEMOG. .19 .19 .12 .05 .01 .00 .19 .19 .12 .05 .01 .00 SWB Tier 1 AUTHENTICITY RELATEDNESS COMPETENCE - -INTERNAL MOTIV. Tier 1 AUTHENTICITY RELATEDNESS COMPETENCE INTERNAL MOTIV. .66 .65 .63 .66 .65 .63 Tier 3 - -VACATION DAYS CHILDREN MARRIED/LT EXERCISE PRAYER (AFFIL.) ALCOHOL Tier 3 VACATION DAYS CHILDREN MARRIED/LT EXERCISE PRAYER (AFFIL.) ALCOHOL USE .00 .10 .00 .55 .55 .23 .20 .18 .18 .07 - -.12 .23 .20 .18 .18 .07 .12 - -.10 Tier 2 - -AUTONOMY SUPPORT - -INTRINSIC VALUES Tier 2 AUTONOMY SUPPORT INTRINSIC VALUES .17 .00 .03 .17 .00- - .03 .44 .44 USE .30 .30
SUCCESS INCLUDES WELL SUCCESS INCLUDES WELL- -BEING. BEING. FIRST SEEK INTERNAL SUCCESS, THEN EXTERNAL SUCCESS. FIRST SEEK INTERNAL SUCCESS, THEN EXTERNAL SUCCESS. DO NOT DISPLACE INTERNAL SUCCESS WITH PAY, ETC. DO NOT DISPLACE INTERNAL SUCCESS WITH PAY, ETC.
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 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 HOW TO CONTINUALLY INCREASE WELL- -BEING BEING
WELL MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WELL- -BEING: MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. . BEING: FEELING CLOSE, FEELING CLOSE, WITH SELF (AUTHENTICITY) WITH OTHERS (RELATEDNESS) WITH WORK (COMPETENCE & INTERNAL MOTIVATION) WITH SELF (AUTHENTICITY) WITH OTHERS (RELATEDNESS) WITH WORK (COMPETENCE & INTERNAL MOTIVATION)
EACH OF US CAN IMPROVE IN SMALL STEPS (GROWTH MINDSET). SIMPLE REFLECTIONS AND ACTIONS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
Seek small changes. Seek small changes. Stop and reflect, brief but regular Stop and reflect, brief but regular Be open and honest with yourself. Be open and honest with yourself. Keep seeking meaningful connection. Keep seeking meaningful connection.
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?
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?
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)
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..).
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 THANK YOU LKRIEGER@LAW.FSU.EDU
