The Business of Joy

...and, the power of being human.

One year ago, my team and I were approached by a truly visionary, heart-filled leader who had one simple ask of us: “Will you help me spread joy?” She continued, “First, I want to do it within the walls of my company (which happens to be one of the most respected privately owned companies in the country), then I want it to spread across the city, the country, and beyond.” It sounded like a dream – for her and us. After all, who gets hired to devise a scientifically driven, human-centered effort like this? We do. It has been a blessing – as it has forced me to rethink joy, to reimagine how to make it contagious, and to realize how easy it can be to spread. It also reminded me that leaders with big dreams in today’s world are often pushed aside for the seemingly more practical strategic or operational imperatives — but that the “soft stuff” is rarely in competition with those imperatives and actually works with and for them.

We developed a prototype program and have piloted it across a number of locations. The focus was on creating micro-moments of connection, easy for leaders to implement on a daily basis without adding more to their plate or spending any money. The results are, well, exactly as you would hope and expect. When we are intentional with our actions as leaders and are open to looking for the joy and the good, it more than often finds us. The pilot program was transformational – for the managers, the leaders, and the front-line employees alike. Their attitudes changed. So did their performance and connection with each other and their workplace. It became a powerful driver of culture within the organization.

The outcome is so obvious that is almost embarrassing to bring forward. But, if it was so obvious, why aren’t all leaders investing in this natural human behavior? In connection among our teams, in spreading joy daily? I believe the answer lies somewhere within the complexities of the world and the expectations of our companies. If we are working to spread and recognize joy and connection, then how can our workforce be performing and delivering on the right things? The answer is that focusing on joy, belonging, and human connection are critical to operational performance — to increasing retention, and decreasing burnout, and loneliness. People are missing these key drivers of belonging in their companies – it is why our research continues to show decreases in psychological safety (balance of fear and trust), decreases in optimism within companies, and increases in loneliness. The increase in loneliness has true costs to our companies. Loneliness is as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, with lonely employees costing 22% more on average due to the need for greater support. The Surgeon General estimates 1 in 2 Americans are lonely — think about your company. Half of your team is looking for connection and joy.

Creating spaces and experiences where we prioritize joy, happiness, and connection is at the core of how we open the door to belonging. And, it is important – the research tells us, so do the bottom line results and retention you create with it.

On this journey for joy for our client, I was struck (and have been touched every single day since), by how simple it is to give joy and receive it. How simple it is to connect with the people around us, the people we spend a majority of our time with — and how transformational of an impact it can have. Close work friendships can boost employee satisfaction by 50%, with a 7x increase in engagement.

On the opening day of one of my two favorite smoothie places, I called in my order with an over-exuberance (or over-exaggeration) that is my hallmark. As soon as the person answered the phone, I said, “This is the best day of my life… No, it really is the best day ever.” She listened and took my order. Then, as I walked in, I continued my “best day ever” diatribe. She smiled back. Then, the general manager walked up to me and said, “I want to make this the best day ever, Brad.” He gave me a key chain that made my drink half off for the remainder of the year. That was a powerful act of spreading joy. But, it wasn’t the only act. From that day forward, every day I am greeted with, “Best day ever, Brad.” It changes my day – and it is effortless. But the kindness stays with me.

As the pressures of work and the political divide grow, pause to find joy. Look to give joy. Make an effort to connect with the people around you. It may come in the form of a note, a call, sharing a compliment, a simple act of kindness. It can be as easy as a smiley face and a “have a great day” text. It can be recognizing one thing that someone is doing right that day. It doesn’t take a lot to transform somebody’s day – and yours at the same time. It also reminds us that the mundane, everyday actions we take matter. So, thanks, Diego (Joe, Jess, Jenn, and everyone at the juice place) for the joy you have given. Thank you for reminding me and all of us, as leaders, no matter what our business is, we are in the business of spreading joy and connection.

I hope you have the best day ever.

Brad