# Organizational Depression and Happiness By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-01-22 I recently came across evidence that depressed individuals are better at detecting flaws and errors. Yet, happy people are generally more productive. While the connection between happiness and productivity is pretty well understood, I was mostly unaware of the connection between depression and error detection. Upon further examination, I thought of many examples in popular culture where the depressed individual highlighted all the reasons something is a bad idea or fundamentally flawed. For example, what makes the "Negative Nancy" so annoying is how realistic their take is on how things aren't that great. Within organizations, the overwhelming desire is for everyone to be happy and productive. Nearly all of them fail at this in spectacular ways. This produces heaps of depressed individuals who are primed to point out every error and flaw. If one could have authentic conversations with employees within these organizations, one could quickly ascertain everything wrong with the organization and its operating model. This is extremely valuable for management and consultants. However, good luck making any progress in such an environment. Depressed individuals will see the error in every approach taken to achieve change, and every "change model" is flawed in some way. There is no perfect way of operating, being, or changing. Thus, the death spiral perpetuates forever and ever. An obvious solution is to transform the depressed into happy individuals. Yet, studies show that pursuing happiness makes people less happy. No HR survey will reveal what must happen to make people happy in a depressed organization. The more it is sought, the more unhappy people will become. The trick is not to pursue happiness to fight depression. Happiness and depression are not opposites, but they do correlate on a complex continuum of existential and emotional being. Additionally, both exist for a reason, and we've seen how both have organizational benefits. Happiness increases productivity. Depression identifies errors and flaws. The goal for organizations should be to acknowledge that these are constantly changing, acceptable states of being that should exist in some balance. Perhaps organizations should strive for an average feeling of "I'm okay in my current existence." Acknowledging the authenticity of individuals creates the opportunity for the authentic self to emerge and for things to be okay. Being okay is mediocre but creates an opportunity for individuals and organizations to explore and appreciate both sides of existence. #### Related Items [[Organization]] [[Happiness]] [[Depression]] [[Emotions]] [[Work]] [[Existential]] [[Productivity]]