Leadership and Happiness (In-Person Retreat)

For those interested in participating in the virtual course and retreat, please see the Leadership and Happiness (Virtual Course + In-Person Retreat option. 

Join Dr. Arthur Brooks for an immersive three-day retreat in Boca Raton, Florida, designed for leaders ready to deepen their exploration of happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. This option is for those choosing the in-person retreat exclusively, without the accompanying virtual session series.

Dates:

• Monday, December 7, 2026
• Tuesday, December 8, 2026
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Schedule:

• 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Breakfast
• 9:30 - 10 a.m., Open
• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Morning Session
• 12 - 1:30 p.m., Lunch
• 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Afternoon Session
• 3:30 p.m., End of Day

Location:

The Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida

Topics:

Day 1: The Science of Emotions (4 hours of instruction)

• Students will come to the session having taken The Happiness Scale, Dr. Brooks’ validated psychometric battery that assesses one’s overall well-being and “Affect Profile” (the extent to which one feels positive and negative emotions across the average day).
• In the sessions, Dr. Brooks will explain the evolutionary biology of emotions, and the best techniques for emotional self-management across work and life.
• In breakout sessions, Dr. Brooks and his research team will explore the group’s data and offer practical takeaways for boosting one’s strengths and managing one’s weaknesses.

Day 2: Worldly Idols (4 hours of instruction)

• The data (and philosophy) show that humans are uniquely tempted by one of four worldly idols: money, power, pleasure, or fame/prestige. When we place these idols as our top priority, we become unhappier.
• Students will come prepared having taken four psychometric batteries, all assessing the extent to which each worldly idol is in control of one’s life. This self-knowledge is critical to avoid unintended misery.
• In the sessions, Dr. Brooks will explain how leaders can pursue the world’s rewards as a proxy for the good of themselves and their families.

Day 3: The Next 80 Years (4 hours of instruction)

• In these concluding sessions, Dr. Brooks will explore big population data sets and explain how our personalities and happiness change over time—and, with the right habits, for the better.
• Students will depart with a strategic plan for improving their well-being for the remainder of their lives.

Additional Optional Events:

• Welcome reception and dinner with Arthur Brooks: Sunday, December 6, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Group dinner: Tuesday, December 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Workshop sessions hosted by Arthur Brooks' team: Monday, December 7 and Tuesday, December 8, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Program Fee Includes: 

• Room and board
• Breakfast and lunch on class days
• Additional optional events (Welcome reception and dinner; Group dinner; Workshop sessions)

About Arthur Brooks

Arthur Brooks is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in the media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies, and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others.

Brooks is a professor at Vanderbilt University and a senior fellow at the Harvard Business School. He is a CBS News contributor, columnist with The Free Press, and host of the weekly podcast "Office Hours with Arthur Brooks."

He is the author of 16 books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, Build the Life You Want (co-authored with Oprah Winfrey), and From Strength to Strength.