What do you want to be when you grow up?

Let’s face it, your inbox is overflowing. Your calendar is a minefield of back-to-back meetings. And you’re constantly trying to balance the demands of talent acquisition, performance management, and employee well-being. 

So, why on earth should you carve out time to watch a video about a beetle named John?

Why happiness matters (beyond the buzzword)

My recent Disrupt HR presentation, delivered in the fast-paced, “Ignite” format (15 seconds per slide—talk about pressure!), delved into the science of happiness, translating complex research into a fun narrative.

Forget fluffy platitudes. This presentation illustrates key principles of happiness through the relatable journey of a young beetle, John. Through John’s adventures, you’ll discover how data and science can illuminate the path to a more engaged and fulfilled workforce.

The “Ignite” challenge: compressing complexity into clarity

Presenting in the Ignite format is like trying to distil an entire novel into a haiku. It forces you to be concise, engaging, and impactful. Every word counts. Every image matters.

This challenge was particularly relevant when discussing the complex topic of happiness data. 

Question: How do you convey the nuances of psychological research and statistical analysis in a series of rapid-fire slides?

Answer: I built a story with my children to share with an HR audience but I designed it with children for children

By using a narrative framework, I attempted to make the data accessible and relatable. The beetle’s journey becomes a metaphor for the human experience.

Why this video is worth your time (and a little fun!)

Here’s what you’ll get from watching the video:

• A fresh perspective: Discover a new way to approach employee engagement and well-being.
• For adults and children: Find a moment of levity in your busy day with a story that’s designed to be enjoyed by both adults and children.
• Beatles references! As a little bit of fun, I sprinkled a plethora of Beatles references throughout the talk. See how many you can find!

Let’s connect

If you found the presentation insightful and are interested in exploring how to integrate happiness data into your HR strategies, I’d love to connect.

• Book me as a Speaker: If you’re looking for a dynamic and engaging speaker for your next event, let’s go.
• Connect with me: If you have any questions or musings or just want to discuss happiness and data, please connect here.

All the best,
Matt