I’m leaving Woohoo Inc

I started Woohoo Inc back in 2003 so we have been spreading happiness at work for over 16 years. Our keynotesworkshops, articles, conferences, videos and books (download them for free) have reached millions of people all over the world.

But something is wrong. For the last couple of years I have been unhappy at work and that won’t really do for someone in my business :)

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why work stopped being fun for me, but here are three reasons that have played a role:

  • There are too many people in this field who attract attention by saying either platitudes or unverifiable nonsense. For instance, some recent bestselling books have claimed that positive feedback is bad for you, that we should resist growth and development, that we should ignore emotions at work or that work should be duty – not passion. It’s frustrating to have to refute dumb claims like this over and over again.
  • For a long time business has been steady and we’ve been doing the same kind of work. I usually have more fun developing new projects rather than managing existing ones. This just doesn’t tickle my entrepreneurial funny bone.
  • My previous longest stint in the same job was 5 years, so this has been 3 times as long. Maybe 16 years doing the same thing is simply enough for me.

Simply put, it’s time for me to take my own medicine. I took 6 months off (starting January 1st) to get some distance and think about my future and that helped me come to a decision: I am leaving the field and will no longer do speeches or workshops about happiness at work.

I still believe that this field is incredibly important. Workplaces and employees face huge problems, not the least of which is COVID-19, and still need inspiration and tools to create and maintain happiness at work.

Fortunately we have built a fantastic international partner network over the last 3 years who have all been trained in our methods and  who are doing amazing work around the world. They are ready to step in while we’re gone.

So if you’re looking for a speaker or consultant to come in and make your organization happier and more profitable, don’t hesitate for a second to book any of them.

In Denmark, Arlette Bentzen will carry on our work – she is awesome and you should book her for a speech or workshop.

I will still be involved with Heartcount, because it is the best tool currently available for measuring employee happiness.

Apart from that, I have no idea what’s next for me. I’m waiting for inspiration to strike me. If you have any ideas or suggestion for what I would be awesome at, let me know :)

14 thoughts on “I’m leaving Woohoo Inc”

  1. Hi Alex,

    I truly enjoyed our workshop last November. You are a great person with so much passion at what you are doing, so no doubt your next step will be as challenging as the one you just decided to finish.

    Will miss you….
    If you decide to come to Sofia, Bulgaria some day, please do not hesitate to call me.

    Warm regards,
    Vania

  2. I wish you the most wonderful adventures!
    Ive been participating in one of your events a few years ago and always remember how fun love and joy you gave me. Thank you! Youre welcome in Lausanne Switzerland whenever you want to visit! With love, Tamara

  3. Stor og beundringsvrdig beslutning.

    Alt det bedste til dig kre Alexander og tusinde tak for dit store arbejde.

    Du har gjort en kmpe forskel i mit arbejdsliv.

    KH Ulla

  4. Alexander, you will be missed, but passing your legacy on to others is a true example of Leadership. I think an area to look at is trying to maintain Corporate Culture and working together whether in the office or remotely is an emerging area of concern. So many distractions and folks working alone, Im mindful of the impact this is having on relationships with co-workers. Heartcount is a great tool and we look forward to seeing its evolving impact on our company.

  5. Thanks you so much for your wise, heartfelt and evidence based advice and stories over the years. They have been a tremendous help as I navigate my own path. Wishing you all the best!

  6. You have always been an innovator – knowing when to leap to the next venture. You are an inspiration to everyone who feels stuck. I am sure your next venture will be amazing!

  7. You are one of the most inspiring frontrunners on the planet. Whatever you Will do it is sure it Will be 1) intelligent, 2) top professional, 3) Out of the box 4) People friendly and 5) fun. Love you and cheer on you

  8. Thanks for update, Alex. Im following with great interest. Just finished a book that i loved and i thought of you: Transcend by Scott Barry Kaufman

  9. Alex,
    I am a newer reader (within the last month) so I may not be able to relate as others have, but I can say that it is refreshing to see someone who has given as much as you have then say it is time to move onto other things. Almost feels oxymoronic to have the author of a “Happiness” blog state he isn’t happy. But that is you practicing what you preach. You have a choice to not continue in a job that makes you unhappy, which has turned into a duty as you mentioned. I commend your decision and wish you the absolute best and good luck!

  10. Hi, Alex

    I am really lucky person who meet you from J apan. You gave me very new inspiration “work happiness” and ” happiness at work”.

    I would like to tell you thanks full and so many appreciate your great work.

  11. Hi Alexander,

    I will begin with saluting you for your huge contribution to the world through Happiness at Work. It was absolute pioneering thoughts when you began. Now it is something we all talk about, and many, many leaders have changed their way of managing due to your inspiration. Wow, wow – and Wooow.

    Next I will congratulate you on taking your own medicine by taking time off to contemplate about the loss of your own happiness at work, and that you now leave in order to honor your entrepreneural soul who is yearning for new adventures.

    Maybe a bit odd, but I kind of really like that even you needed a couple of years of boredom before you could act on it. It is a big thing to walk away – especially when you have founded something so important, and have had so much fun and huge success. I find your process of becoming ready to leave as inspiring and important as the process of starting it all back in 2003.

    I still hold very dear to my heart the clowning workshop you made me do for you guys in 2004 as part of a sponsorship. That workshop changed something important in my life as it did in yours. What good fun we shared that day! :-)

    My heart is full of good wishes for you. I know Life will inspire you when it is time and you have rested so much that you can hear the whisper (or shout ;-) ).

    I sincerely hope our paths will cross again some day.

    All the best,
    Lise

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