Dive Brief:

• In June, a gathering called WorkHuman brought together speakers and attendees to try and "unlock the future of the human workplace."
• Speakers, including Arianna Huffington, Rob Lowe, Adam Grant and many others shared personal stories and advice, and showed attendees how to create a workplace of the future where employees feel happier and, more importantly, more human.
• The conference offered Bold Talks, featuring speakers from business and academia speaking on three tracks: The Power of Thanks, Humanity & Leadership, and Curating Culture.

Dive Insight:

Writing at Huffington Post, Eric Mosely, CEO of Globoforce, a recognition rewards provider and sponsor of WorkHuman, outlined seven lessons learned at the conference.

One lesson: Arianna Huffington discussed the importance of fulfilling the most basic, individual needs like camaraderie, friendship and feeling valued for one's contributions. These are all needs that, when fulfilled, help create our best, most positive selves, Mosely writes.

Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take, outlined how Pronoia is the "opposite of paranoia and stimulates a feeling of happiness, positivity and effectiveness," Moseley writes, adding that this sentiment is as effective in the workplace as in life. Grant reminded attendees of the supreme importance of building positivity around recognition and appreciation in the workplace.

HR leaders might want to take some of these lessons to heart in their strategies.