Tis the season to embrace joy—twinkling lights, festive tunes, and a general sense of cheer fill the air. But as we deck the halls and celebrate together, it’s worth asking: how can we bring that same joyful spirit into our roles as leaders? Leadership isn’t just about motivating others or driving results; it’s also about creating an environment where positivity, connection, and genuine happiness can thrive.
So, let’s explore how to sprinkle a little more joy into the way we lead—making work not just productive, but truly uplifting for everyone!
Research shows that chronic workplace stress impacts our emotional well-being and can lead to physical health issues and cognitive impairments. It can also hurt a team’s work and strain relationships. But by proactively addressing what’s getting in the way of your team’s satisfaction, connection, and purpose, you can transform your workplace into a space brimming with positive energy and optimism. Here’s how to rediscover that joyful spark.
1. Find your why.
Connecting with yourself first requires you to embrace the driving force behind all you do — your why.
Ikigai is a Japanese concept roughly translated as “a reason for being,” or your life’s true purpose, satisfaction, and fulfillment. This concept suggests you can unearth meaning and contentment by aligning your passions, talents, and values as well as addressing the world’s needs. In an episode of the podcast In the Arena author of How to Ikigai kigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Tim Tamashiro describes it as “the inherent gifts you possess, which you can naturally share with others, thus illuminating and enriching their lives.”
Try finding your Ikigai by reflecting on these questions from I by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles:
- What activities and pursuits bring you joy and enthusiasm? This information can help you determine what you love (your passion).
- What skills and talents do you possess for the greater good? This helps you determine what you are good at (your calling).
- How can you be acknowledged and rewarded for your contributions to the world? This helps you determine what you can be rewarded for (your profession).
- How can you make a positive impact on others and the world at large? This helps you determine what the world needs (your mission).
What brings you joy, what you are uniquely good at, and what the world needs from you are the fuel that keeps you going. Aligning your work with these elements can renew your passion and purpose in your role. For example, if mentoring others lights you up, grab a coffee and have a chat with a junior team member. It’s rewarding for you, helpful for them, and boosts morale. Plus, it makes your job more fun. Or, if you enjoy organizing social events, start a Friday playlist where everyone shares their favorite song. It’s a simple way to build connections, spread joy, and make the workweek a little more enjoyable.
2. Embrace a beginner’s mindset.
The daily grind can sometimes close our eyes to new possibilities.
Do you remember the rush of excitement when you landed your first job or were last promoted? Those initial days brimmed with potential, and everything seemed achievable. The thrill of new relationships, projects, and opportunities had you walking on air.
Do you also remember when that spark fizzled out? When situations that were once exciting began to feel stale? It might have started when someone quit, and you had to take on their workload with no change in salary or deadlines, spiraling into exhaustion, loneliness, and frustration. You might have felt like you couldn’t do anything right or became disenchanted with your boss, team, or colleagues.
You were burned out.
And it’s not just you who feels the impact of going from a bright-eyed beginner to a weary, overburdened drudge. Your colleagues, the people you manage, family, and friends sense it, too.
Shunryu Suzuki, author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind , writes, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” Embracing a beginner’s mind, or Shoshin from the Zen tradition, means approaching the world with the openness and curiosity of a novice. This mindset, free from past knowledge and biases, expands our perspective and potential and can help us break free from feeling stuck or burned out by fostering a sense of wonder, eagerness to learn, and curiosity.
Encouraging your team to approach tasks and challenges with fresh eyes can uncover hidden opportunities and foster openness to new ones. You can model this mindset by actively seeking new perspectives and showing curiosity about different approaches. When a problem arises, instead of defaulting to past solutions, ask yourself and your team, “What can we learn from this? How might we see this differently?” Dive into conversations with a “tell me more” attitude, and watch as you build more profound, meaningful connections. This approach not only sparks creativity and enhances your understanding of yourself and others but also reduces the pressure to have all the answers.
3. Sprinkle gratitude and joy like confetti.
Actively expressing gratitude and recognizing others’ contributions can lift spirits, strengthen relationships, and build a supportive team culture. Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley shows that gratitude in the workplace leads to increased job satisfaction, improved mental health, and stronger team cohesion.
A coaching client of mine introduced a “confetti” tradition at quarterly staff meetings, sharing personal photos and anecdotes of proud moments and snippets of life outside of work to energize the room and strengthen social bonds. Inspired by this, think of someone who’s helped you or done something memorable recently. Say “thank you” with a thoughtful gesture that stands out. Celebrate your team’s wins with notes, shout-outs at the start of meetings, or small tokens of appreciation. These gestures foster a sense of belonging and boost morale.
Encourage your team to do the same. Turn it into a fun ritual to share unexpected or creative recognition during team meetings or one-on-ones. Celebrating small wins and acts of generosity can remind them of their positive impact, lighten the mood, and reduce ongoing stress. Sprinkle these feel-good moments throughout your onboarding process, highlight them on your career site, and seize every opportunity to transform your workplace into a more connected and joyful environment.
4. Fuel your joy.
Difficult days are inevitable. When work feels overwhelming, maintaining a “Happy Folder” on your desktop filled with positive feedback and memorable moments can lift your spirits and remind you of your value. For example, I treasure a PowerPoint presentation I received from a group of grateful students who graduated from their company's Leadership Academy where I teach. This simple practice helps recenter my focus and boosts my morale during tough times.
And when did you last say to yourself, “good job,” “you are worthy,” or “it’s okay” to yourself? Ease up on self-criticism and give yourself the same kindness and recognition you offer others. Research shows that positive self-talk improves mental health by reducing anxiety and depression, building resilience, and boosting confidence. Just like Olympic athletes who meditate and engage in positive reflection to enhance their performance , you, too, can benefit from a positive mindset. By practicing this, you’ll recharge your batteries and be better able to support your team with enthusiasm and energy. Joy is contagious — when you model it, others will follow, creating a cycle of positive reinforcement.
When you need a boost, ask yourself: What aspects of my work bring me joy? What would need to be true about my role for me to stay here for five more years? How can I positively influence my team and create a ripple effect? This focus can transform work into a place of lightness and connection, countering the world’s harshness and reigniting your collective sparkle.
Integrating joy, hope, and optimism within teams is more than a modern version of management self-care; it’s a leadership mindset. As you implement these strategies, remember that the aim is not just to survive the toughest days — but rather to make work a place where you and your teams can share joy.
Click here to read a related post: Build Resilience Against Stress By Managing Your Inner Dialogue (5 min read)
To your greater success and joy!
Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant SMART DEVELOPMENT
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