Zappos was way ahead of its time with video marketing. For months to follow, the team produced a video to promote my book on Amazon. When I arrived, his Learning and Development team lead interviewed me for Zappos’ unorthodox leadership program. Various team members asked me about my newest book at the time, EnergizeGrowth NOW. Jade, one of his team “evangelists,” picked me up in a pristine black SUV at the airport and beamed about her job. Back in 2009, Tony invited me to Zappos headquarters in Henderson, Nevada. Based on the Journal report, he may have barricaded himself in a friend’s home while it was ablaze. This reportedly included refraining from urinating, excessive partying, and extreme dieting. They were sullied by his quest to seek enjoyment from life through drugs, alcohol, and risky behavior. The gifts and talents of this man went up in smoke too prematurely. He delivered happiness to thousands without first securing his own metaphorical oxygen mask.Īs many of us experience more aggressive pandemic restrictions and a potential increase in isolation, I encourage you to take note of this tragedy, how our loved ones and colleagues may also be feeling similar emotions, and what you can do to help them avoid extreme emotional distress. I knew Tony, and it breaks my heart to learn about his rapid downward emotional spiral since the pandemic began.

I just read Monday’s Wall Street Journal investigative story about Tony Hsieh, co-founder and former CEO of Zappos and author of the 2010 bestseller, Delivering Happiness.

Tony hsieh happiness