Prof. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The “Leadership and Flow” research is based on – and extends – the lifetime work of Prof. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced ‘ME-high CHICK-sent-me-high-ee’) who has contributed pioneering work to our understanding of happiness, creativity, human fulfillment and the notion of “flow” — a state of heightened focus and immersion in activities such as art, play and work.
“Whereas my original research was based primarily on personal interviews, the extension outlined here is generating multidimensional data — computerized and cross-classified — obtained from current and future managers/leaders who have played, or will play, the FLIGBY game. Both the innovativeness of the game itself and the unique database that it generates and continuously updates will be able to seed a wide range of research projects. I am an enthusiastic supporter and active participant in the “Leadership & Flow” research program and network. I am inspired by the vision that the program’s lasting benefit will result in more effective management around the world. One often-neglected aspect of effective management is achieving and sustaining career satisfaction by managers, as well as by those for whom they are responsible.”
Prof. Csikszentmihalyi, Claremont, September 2014
Prof. Csikszentmihalyi teached psychology and management at Claremont Graduate University, focusing on human strengths such as optimism, motivation and responsibility. He’s the director the the Quality of Life Research Center there. He has written numerous books and papers about the search for joy and fulfillment.
Selected Publications by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper and Row.
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity : Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. New York: Harper Perennial.
- Gardner, H., Csikszentmihalyi, M., and Damon, W. (2002). Good Business: Leadership, Flow, and the Making of Meaning. Basic Books.