Leadership and Happiness With Arthur Brooks Spend three days in Boca Raton, Florida, learning the science of happiness from Dr. Arthur Brooks, Vanderbilt professor, social scientist, and New York Times bestselling author.
In-Person Retreat Dates
Location
Fee
Dec. 7 - 9, 2026 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Boca Raton Boca Raton, Florida
$6,125 $3,000 Locals only rate: VUBROOKSFL (Does not include room, board, and breakfast)
vu.edu/arthur-brooks execed@vanderbilt.edu
Leadership and Happiness Most leaders treat well-being as something to think about after the work is done. Dr. Arthur Brooks' research suggests we may have it backward: Happiness is a set of skills that can be learned and practiced, and for leaders, those skills shape how you make decisions, build relationships, navigate pressure, and set the tone for the people around you. Over three days in Boca Raton, Florida, a small group of emerging and current leaders from for-profits, nonprofits, and government will join Dr. Brooks and his research team for focused instruction, personalized assessments, and conversation. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, participants will understand their own emotional patterns, identify what is really driving their priorities, and leave with a plan for greater well-being in life and leadership.
Retreat Details
Retreat Topics
Dates and Times
Day 1: The Science of Emotions
Monday, Dec. 7 - Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026
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 501 E. Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33432
Additional Optional Events Welcome reception and dinner: Sunday, Dec. 6 Group dinner: Tuesday, Dec. 8 Workshop sessions hosted by Arthur Brooks' team: Monday, Dec. 7 and Tuesday, Dec. 8
Fee
$3,000 includes: Class sessions All additional optional events Discount code: VUBROOKSFL
Before arriving, take The Happiness Scale, Dr. Brooks' validated assessment of overall well-being and "Affect Profile" (how much positive and negative emotion you feel across an average day) Learn the evolutionary biology of emotions and the best techniques for emotional self-management across work and life Explore the group's data in breakout sessions with Dr. Brooks and his research team, with practical takeaways for building on strengths and managing weaknesses Day 2: Worldly Idols
Before arriving, complete four assessments measuring how much money, power, pleasure, and fame/prestige are in control of your life Learn why making any of these worldly idols your top priority leads to unhappiness, and why this self-knowledge is critical Discover 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
Explore large population data sets showing how personality and happiness change over time, and how the right habits change them for the better Depart with a strategic plan for improving your well-being for the rest of your life
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.
vu.edu/arthur-brooks execed@vanderbilt.edu