Tal Ben-Shahar

Tal Ben-Shahar is a world-renowned positive psychology expert who transforms how leaders and organisations understand happiness, resilience, and human flourishing. He taught Harvard University's most popular course on Positive Psychology and designed the world's first Master of Arts and PhD programmes in Happiness Studies at Centenary University, where his pioneering academic work continues to shape the field. As co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy and author of multiple bestselling books, including Happier and The Joy of Leadership, he equips audiences with evidence-based strategies that enhance wellbeing, strengthen leadership capabilities, and create measurable improvements in workplace culture and individual performance.

When more than 1,400 students enrolled in Tal Ben-Shahar's courses at Harvard University, positive psychology moved from academic theory into mainstream conversation. His lectures on Positive Psychology and the Psychology of Leadership became the most attended classes in the university's history, cementing his reputation as someone who could translate complex psychological research into practical wisdom that changes lives. That same commitment to making happiness accessible has since led him to design the world's first Master of Arts and PhD programmes in Happiness Studies at Centenary University, launched in 2022 and 2025 respectively, creating entirely new pathways for academic study in human flourishing.

Ben-Shahar holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard, credentials that underpin his unique ability to bridge rigorous science with real-world application. As co-founder and chief learning officer of the Happiness Studies Academy, Potentialife, Maytiv, and Happier.TV, he has built platforms that extend his reach far beyond the lecture hall, training professionals, coaches, educators, and leaders across continents. His books, including the New York Times bestseller Happier and The Joy of Leadership, have been translated into more than 25 languages, offering evidence-based frameworks on resilience, mindfulness, goal setting, and ethical leadership. In 2026, he joined Marga.ai to explore how technology can scale human wisdom, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to innovation in the field. He consults with executives in multinational corporations, speaks to general audiences, and works with at-risk populations, ensuring that the science of wellbeing reaches those who need it most.

Audiences leave Ben-Shahar's sessions with more than inspiration; they gain actionable strategies that reshape how they lead, work, and live. His teaching equips organisations to build cultures where people thrive, not just survive, and helps individuals identify the daily habits that sustain joy and meaning over the long term. Whether addressing workplace resilience, leadership impact, or personal fulfilment, he offers clarity rooted in decades of research and practice. The result is measurable improvement in performance, engagement, and wellbeing, alongside a deeper understanding that happiness is not a destination but a skill that can be cultivated. For organisations seeking transformative outcomes and individuals ready to apply proven principles, Ben-Shahar delivers lasting value that extends far beyond the event itself.