Unhappiness has been increasing globally for a decade, according to Gallup -- and its rise has been missed by almost every world leader. That's because while leaders pay close attention to measures like GDP or unemployment, almost none of them track their citizens' wellbeing.

The implications of this blind spot are significant and far-reaching -- leaders missed the citizen unhappiness that triggered events ranging from the Arab uprisings to Brexit to the election of Donald Trump.

Hear Jon Clifton, CEO, GALLUP discuss this report at the Global Action Summit at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/139h9lfmlcbli1f/AABLn-kA0xCEjtl2aX_rk3cfa/07%20Day%202%20Opening%20Plenary?dl=0&preview=Day+2+Opening+Plenary.mp4&subfolder_nav_tracking=1

The Leadership Blind Spot: Happiness and Wellbeing

Global leaders have relied too heavily on objective indicators to the detriment of their constituencies. The book begins with examples of countries where their economies were growing but the subjective wellbeing of their citizens was declining -- in some cases, dramatically.

Addressing the Blind Spot: Measuring Happiness and Wellbeing

The second part of this book offers a solution: Global leaders should closely follow wellbeing and happiness metrics to better understand how people's lives are going. Gallup has produced global statistics for wellbeing and happiness since 2006, and these metrics perfectly complement the objective indicators for human development that leaders already follow so closely.

What Makes a Great Life?

Wellbeing and happiness metrics have helped us better understand what makes a great life. The third part of this book highlights the five elements of wellbeing -- work, financial, community, physical and social wellbeing -- and where the world is struggling most in each of them.

Four Unanswered Questions

The fourth part of this book poses four questions from Gallup's wellbeing research that continue to confound experts. This section outlines what we have discovered and offers possible explanations.

What Leaders Can Do to Improve How People's Lives Are Going

The fifth part of this book gives public and private sector leaders recommendations on what they can do to improve people's wellbeing.

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