For the CEO of The School of Positive Psychology, companies that treat well-being as an afterthought are already behind

How has well-being evolved in your field, and what role does innovation play?

Well-being has evolved from personal responsibility to a systemic priority. Ten years ago, it was treated like a potted plant, kept alive with wellness activities. Today, well-being is recognised as a living system embedded in how we work, connect, and contribute. 

Well-being is the foundation of thriving — we must raise each other. This echoes a core motto of positive psychology: “Other people matter”. But we take it a step further: “Other people and our planet matter”. Well-being is a global force driving progress, innovation, and sustainability.

Technology is revolutionising well-being, turning once-generic solutions into precision-crafted interventions. At The School of Positive Psychology, we engineer well-being by combining science, technology, and human connection. We cultivate “well-being intelligence” for personal resilience and empower individuals to uplift and reshape others. 

What do people most misunderstand about your work’s impact?

The most common misunderstanding is that positive psychology is just about making people “happier” or more “positive”. People assume we are teaching optimism training, motivational thinking, or feel-good tricks — when in reality, this field is about reshaping how humans thrive, even in the face of adversity. It’s about equipping people with the tools to navigate complexity, build resilience, and create meaning. Well-being isn’t about avoiding hardship — it’s about emerging stronger from it.

Another massive misunderstanding is that well-being is just self-care or office perks like yoga, lunch talks, or ping-pong tables. It’s not a perk, a HR checkbox, or a CSR project. Well-being is a systemic, cultural, and economic necessity — rooted in human potential, sustainable leadership, and organisational success.

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How have market shifts and changing expectations shaped your approach?

A decade ago, well-being was often considered a personal choice — something people pursued in their spare time through self-care, fitness, or mindfulness practices. Today, well-being has become the “new normal”. The pandemic triggered a rise in global consciousness, shifting priorities from individual success to collective well-being.

People and businesses are no longer asking, “What do we need?” but rather, “What does the world need?”. Personal and systemic well-being are linked, and sustainable success is now about serving the greater good rather than profits and productivity.

As the world shifts towards well-being-driven economies, leadership models, and business strategies, the question is no longer whether well-being should be prioritised but how quickly organisations, institutions, and governments can adapt to this new reality.

At The School of Positive Psychology, we are not just educators — we are partners in this transformation. We equip individuals and organisations with the skills, insights, and leadership capabilities to build a future where well-being is not a privilege but a norm.

What’s the most challenging part of your job that few know about?

In 2007, mental and emotional well-being was overlooked. We lived in a world dominated by a hyper-competitive culture, where achievement was prioritised at the expense of human connection, purpose, and the essence of our being. Titles or salaries measured success, while stress, anxiety, and burnout were simply accepted as part of the grind.

Over the years, something became clear: Stress, anxiety, and depression are rising faster than economic growth. If we continue operating with the mindset that “work comes first, well-being comes later”, we’re setting ourselves up for deeper burnout.

This is why I felt a strong calling and founded The School of Positive Psychology to create human-centric, people-focused, and planet-driven initiatives to help society thrive rather than just survive.

What three things would help you achieve your biggest goals?

As The School of Positive Psychology expands, we seek APAC and global partners to lead well-being conversations, drive systemic change, and co-create culturally adaptable solutions. Achieving this vision requires the support of changemakers, impact-driven investors, and institutions willing to fund long-term well-being initiatives, challenge outdated work models, and champion sustainable leadership.

Equally crucial are thought leaders and policymakers who can advocate for reforms, drive global dialogues, and redefine success by prioritising human flourishing over profit. Collaboration is key, and we are calling on organisations, educators, and interdisciplinary specialists to develop scalable, culturally relevant well-being solutions.

This includes working with experts in AI, technology, ESG, and other fields to establish a Well-being Lab — an initiative that integrates organisational, community, generational, social, medical, and environmental well-being to create meaningful, systemic transformation.

How would you define self-care and well-being beyond a trend, and how should businesses prioritise it?

Well-being is fundamental, not a passing trend. Proper self-care is about building environments that support mental, emotional, and social well-being. Businesses must go beyond token initiatives, embedding well-being into leadership, operations, and culture to create workplaces where people can truly thrive.

This starts with training leaders in emotional literacy — encouraging them to express emotions, support others, and foster trust through authenticity. Psychological safety must also be a priority, ensuring employees feel comfortable seeking support and collaborating without fear of judgment. Balancing self and team care is essential, as strong leadership requires personal well-being and resilient support networks.

Success must also be redefined, measuring well-being, emotional resilience, human sustainability, and productivity. Most importantly, well-being should be embedded in decision-making and treated as a priority alongside financial growth.