Prof. Dr. Van Kleef: Explains Why Happiness Culture Can Backfire At Work
In This Episode
Prof. Dr. Gerben Van Kleef, Professor at the University of Amsterdam and a leading emotion researcher, explains why emotions are not “soft stuff,” but powerful social signals that shape decisions, relationships, and workplace culture. We explore his Emotions as Social Information (EASI) theory, why forcing a “happy workplace” can backfire, and how emotional intelligence helps teams read the room, handle tension, and solve problems instead of smiling through them.
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February 11, 2026
00:36:30Prof. Dr. Gerben Van Kleef, Professor at the University of Amsterdam and a leading emotion researcher, explains why emotions are not “soft stuff,” but powerful social signals that shape decisions, relationships, and workplace culture. We explore his Emotions as Social Information (EASI) theory, why forcing a “happy workplace” can backfire, and how emotional intelligence helps teams read the room, handle tension, and solve problems instead of smiling through them.
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