"My wealth is my people's happiness" is an immortal quote of the founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “God bless his soul,". He defined his era by it, and put the first brick in the curriculum, which led to the path of happiness and positivity in the UAE.

This phrase has become a course of action and a sustainable goal adopted by the wise leadership for decades, as reflected by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, "may Allah protect him”, “The well-being, sustainability and happiness of the UAE's people is our top priority for our federal and local governments."

For many years, our wise leadership has been keen to instill the principles of positive thinking and happiness among the various strata of society that enable the UAE to become the happiest nation. As UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ‘Allah save him’ said, "Positivity is a way of thinking, and happiness is a lifestyle, It is not what you own  or do that makes you happy, it is how you think about things "

From the previous quotes of the wise leadership, we can conclude that the most important features of the "Emirates happiness" or elements of the UAE magic formula to achieve the "happiest people".

"Happiness in the UAE is not just a series of slogans for media consumption; it is a vision and a quest, - the true wealth of society. It is a top priority, a sustainable goal and a way of life, which starts by identifying that the human being is the catalyst of progress and growth. That the positive outlook of the team creates happiness. What creates positively the happiness of society lies first and last in the releasing of individual capabilities and potential.  .

The UAE was the first country in the world to establish the Ministry of Happiness i. In 2016, it was the first to launch the national program of happiness and positivity where it made the indicators of happiness and positivity important criteria for performance assessment and decision-making. The UAE thus achieved global leadership in this area and became a beacon for those who looking for happiness and those who want to live and enjoy a decent life.

Achieving happiness and positivity is not the responsibility of the individual or the leadership alone!   It is a shared responsibility flowing from top to bottom -and vice versa- , in an attractive and stimulating work environment. According to the UAE happiness platform, the leadership is responsible for instilling the principles of happiness and positivity in the work environment by formulating an inspirational vision, and by promoting the culture of altruism and mental alertness.

The leadership should also build an effective system of positive communication through adopting an open door policy, encouraging constructive interaction and, balancing the professional and personal lives of employees.  In addition, it should adopt a culture of diversity and inclusiveness, motivate employees, encourage them to reach great achievements and free their potential through training, development, recognition of achievement and by determining a clear path for of career progression.

 In customs, and in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership, we have made increasing the happiness and positivity levels between employees and customers a strategic goal. A goal which we will achieve through effective communication,  development of services, simplifying procedures, freeing potential  appreciating achievements and encouraging innovation within the framework of diversity and unique balance between professional and personal life..

In this context, the Authority held a brainstorming session on happiness and positive in the headquarters of government accelerators in Dubai at the end of September. The session succeeded in liberating the potential of the employees and came up with a wide range of initiatives that will have a positive impact on the level of happiness and positivity in the FCA and the customs sector in the UAE.

The human happiness is challenging but it lies within ourselves and not in others, it is in giving not in taking!