The recent release of the Global Flourishing Study findings is an opportunity for every leader, team and organization to think about how they support their people. In this 2-part series, Jason provides his insights and reflections on the findings.
SHOW NOTES
Jason introduces Season 9 episode 24 of the podcast, Global Flourishing Study Findings. Welcome back to the podcast on corporate culture and leadership and thank you for listening. We engage thought leaders like CEOs, CFOs, managers, VPs, directors, and more for this podcast. We wish to create content that engages your mind and heart and allows you to step back and think and add some positivity to your life. We deep dive into today’s topic.
We can’t control everything but what we can control is our response. Still a lot of work to do but wanted to remind the audience what is within our control is the temperature we create in the organizations and teams we work with.
Please leave a review for the podcast It really helps the podcast to spread these messages out into the world. Please share this podcast with your organization, on your team, or in your life to help spread these messages. Thank you!
If any of these topics are interesting to you please or you want a deep dive on any specific topics, please reach out to us at info@jasonvbarger.com
Season 9 Episode 24: Global Flourishing Study Findings
In a time when organizations strive to build thriving corporate cultures and foster leadership in teams, understanding what truly enables people to flourish is more important than ever. In Season 9 Episode 24 of The Thermostat Podcast, Jason V. Barger unpacks the landmark Global Flourishing Study—an ambitious project surveying 200,000 individuals across 22 countries—to reveal the core dimensions that underpin human well-being and the implications for workplace culture.
Episode Summary
Jason begins by framing the challenge: despite our technological advances—from decoding DNA to connecting the world through the internet—defining what makes people flourish has remained elusive. The Global Flourishing Study, led by Gallup and international partners, identifies six critical dimensions of thriving:
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Meaning and Purpose
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Close Social Relationships
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Character and Virtue
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Mental and Physical Health
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Happiness and Life Satisfaction
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Financial and Material Stability
As Jason reflects on these findings, two themes stand out for leaders committed to sustained success in their teams:
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Mindset Matters: Where we direct our focus shapes every aspect of our well-being. An optimistic outlook, rooted in gratitude and purpose, can amplify performance and resilience—key traits of high-performing teams.
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Connection Is Crucial: In an age of remote work and social fragmentation, close relationships are not a luxury but a necessity. Teams that prioritize genuine connection foster trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging that fuels innovation.
Jason emphasizes that these dimensions are not just academic categories—they offer a practical roadmap for shaping positive workplace cultures. By intentionally nurturing purpose, relationships, and healthy mindsets, leaders can create environments where every team member feels supported and empowered to contribute their best.
Notable Quotes
“What makes people thrive isn’t just material comfort or physical health—it’s the interplay of purpose, relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves.”
“Where we give our attention is where our bodies follow. Cultures that cultivate optimism and gratitude unlock the full potential of every team member.”
“In a world increasingly wired with technology, the simple act of genuine human connection has become the foundation of sustainable success.”
“Workplace cultures that prioritize flourishing don’t just boost morale; they drive performance, innovation, and loyalty.”
- Question to Ponder
Which of the six dimensions—meaning, relationships, character, health, happiness, or stability—needs the most attention within your team today, and what first step will you take to foster it in your organization?
Links and References
For more insights and practical tips, be sure to check out Jason V Barger’s book Breathing Oxygen. This book dives deeper into the concepts discussed in this episode and provides additional strategies for fostering a positive mindset and effective leadership.
Visit ThermostatCulturesLive.com referenced in this episode
By incorporating these practices into your summer routine, you can breathe new life into your personal and professional endeavors. Remember, as Jason says, “The best leaders, teams, and cultures on the planet stimulate progress by recalibrating their thermostat together.”
Please leave a review for the podcast It really helps the podcast to spread these messages out into the world. Please share this podcast with your organization, on your team, or in your life to help spread these messages. Thank you!
If any of these topics are interesting to you please or you want a deep dive on any specific topics, please reach out to us at info@jasonvbarger.com
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Remember, the best leaders, teams, & cultures stimulate progress by recalibrating their thermostat together.
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ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT
Conversations and micro-thoughts to engage your mind and heart.
A thermostat is proactive. It sets the temperature in a room. Controls the temperature. Regulates the temperature. But in today’s distracted, fast-paced and digital world, it’s easy for individuals and organizations to act more like thermometers, slipping into reactionary thinking, becoming scattered and inconsistent. The most compelling leaders, teams, organizations, families, or collection of humans of any kind operate in thermostat mode. They calibrate their mind and heart to set the temperature for the vision and culture they want to create. Jason Barger, globally celebrated author, keynote speaker, and founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting, is the host of The Thermostat, a podcast journey to discover authentic leadership, create compelling cultures and find clarity of mission, vision, and values.