On Saturday, 5 April, 2025, Dr. Arthur Brooks, one of the authors of Build the Life You Want, will be the guest speaker for the Brigade-wide SMT.
Who is Arthur Brooks?
Arthur C. Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular weekly “How to Build a Life” column. Brooks is the author of 15 books, including the bestseller From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life and the 2023 bestseller Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier with co-author Oprah Winfrey. He speaks to audiences all around the world about human happiness and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations.
Who is Oprah Winfrey?
As a global media leader and communications pioneer, Oprah Winfrey has built unparalleled connections with people around the world. Through The Oprah Winfrey Show, she entertained, enlightened, and uplifted millions of viewers for twenty-five years. Her accomplishments as a philanthropist and her commitment to books, reading and education have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today.
If Happiness is not a feeling, then what is it?
It’s the combination of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. Once we understand these three macronutrients in the context of our lives, what do we focus on to build a happier life? True happiness is built on four pillars: faith, family, friends, and work.
Faith or spirituality allows us to zoom out and gain a better perspective of how small we are in the world around us.
Family is the anchor of our emotional support, a source of unconditional love and connection that helps us grow throughout our lives.
Close friendships that are based on love and enjoyment of another’s company, and not what that person can do for us professionally or socially.
Work—when aligned with our values—can be the channel through which we serve, earn our success, and find a sense of accomplishment.
Family
If you assess your family situation, is it supporting your happiness, and if not, what aspects are within your control to change or influence?
How can family members build trust after a major disagreement or conflict?
Friends
Does your PANAS profile accurately describe you, or does it seem inaccurate?
How can you support your squad/team/classmates knowing your PANAS profile and the profile of others?
Faith/Philosophy
Why is spiritual fitness important for leaders? Does this surprise you or make you uncomfortable?
Is faith/philosophy required for a leader to be compassionate to their Sailors and Marines? Why or why not?
Work
How is your work at the Naval Academy aligned with your values?
If you were not at USNA, what other meaningful work could you or would you do? What does your answer say about your values?
