Okay, so I’ve been trying to “lead with joy” lately, like actually make it a thing in my work life. It sounds kinda cheesy, I know, but I was getting so bogged down in to-dos and stress, I figured, why not give it a shot? Here’s how I went about it, bumps and all.
Starting Small: Morning Check-ins
First thing, I ditched the usual rushed start. Instead of diving straight into emails, I started doing quick morning check-ins with my team. We didn’t talk about projects, deadlines, or any of that. Literally just, “How are you feeling today?” and “What’s one good thing you’re looking forward to?”.
It was awkward at first, ngl. People were kinda hesitant, giving short answers. But I kept at it, sharing my own little wins or even just saying I was excited about my morning coffee. Seriously, kept it super simple.
The “Joy” Experiment: Finding What Works
Then, I started thinking about what actually brings me joy at work. It’s not always the big stuff. Sometimes it’s just having a really good brainstorm session, or finally figuring out a bug that’s been driving me nuts.
- Brainstorm Bonanza: I made an effort to schedule more collaborative sessions. Not formal meetings, but just getting people together to bounce ideas around. Whiteboards, sticky notes, the whole deal.
- Celebrating Small Wins: Used to just move on to the next task. Now, I try to acknowledge when someone does something well, even if it’s small. A quick “Hey, great job on that presentation!” goes a long way.
- Music Makes it Better: Okay, this one’s personal, but I started playing some upbeat music (at a reasonable volume, of course!) during work hours. Nothing too distracting, just something to lift the mood.
The Messy Middle: When Things Got Real
Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were days when deadlines were looming, problems popped up, and everyone was stressed. Leading with joy on those days? Felt almost impossible.
I learned that it’s not about pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about acknowledging the tough stuff, but still trying to find a little bit of positivity. Sometimes it was just saying, “Okay, this is rough, but we’ll get through it together.” Other times, it was ordering pizza for the team because we were all working late.
The Results (So Far): More Than Just Fluff
So, has it worked? Honestly, yeah, I think it has. It’s not a magic bullet, and it’s definitely an ongoing process. But I’ve noticed a few things:
- People seem more engaged. Those morning check-ins, even though they’re short, seem to make a difference. People are more willing to share ideas and help each other out.
- I’m less stressed. Focusing on the positive, even in small ways, has actually helped me manage my own stress levels.
- We’re getting better at problem-solving. When the mood is lighter, people are more creative and collaborative. We’re finding solutions faster and with less drama.
It’s still a work in progress, and I’m sure I’ll have more to learn. But for now, I’m sticking with this “leading with joy” thing. It’s making a real difference, not just for me, but for my whole team. Give my action plan a try, maybe some of these tips will improve your mood too!
