I Built Multiple Successful Startups, but I Wasn’t Happy. It Took Me Years to Realize What Was Missing

Here’s the part skeptical executives need to hear: gratitude at work has measurable benefits.

EXPERT OPINION BY DAVE KERPEN, CEO, KERPEN VENTURES @DAVEKERPEN

Illustration: Inc; Photo: Adobe Stock

Several years ago, I had what looked from the outside like everything: a wife I adored, two daughters, a couple of thriving companies, a few bestselling books. And on the inside, I still didn’t feel happy. It took me an embarrassingly long time to name what was missing. It was gratitude. (I wrote once about the quotes that finally shook me awake to it.)

Since then, gratitude has gone from a nice idea to a daily practice—and a mission. I’m now the VP of Grateful Giving, a nonprofit that pairs messages of appreciation with giving to the causes people care about. So I’ll admit I’m biased. But here’s the part skeptical executives need to hear: gratitude at work isn’t soft, and it isn’t fluffy. The science is overwhelming, and a striking amount of it........

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