Does Joy Matter?

Comments 4 by in Employee Engagement, Joy, Profits, Strategy
December 11, 2014

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” -Steve Jobs

Does joy affect your business success? The short answer is an unequivocal yes. I believe that based on my own experience, and some of the most successful people in the world believe that too.

When I was developing the Clear Focus Strategy SIMPLE© process, three key pillars emerged. They are Simplicity, Profits and Joy. When I ran those essentials by friends, business associates and family “joy” was a lightning rod for contrasting reactions. Responses ranged from the classic eye roll to a resounding “yes”! Some people said joy had nothing to do with profits, so why should they care. Some said business is work, and work has to be hard and no fun. I found it intriguing that the reactions broke down along gender lines and not the in way I expected. Most men I spoke with about the process and our goals said Joy absolutely matters, while most women said it is irrelevant and unrealistic.

Yet, after nearly three decades of involvement in business, especially in the context of mergers and acquisitions, that joy matters a lot. This conclusion has been affirmed by many studies, polls and experiences showing that employee retention, engagement and happiness drives profits. Employees must feel valued and supported, given opportunities to develop and grow, and be rewarded to be happy.

Joy is the difference between a successful merger involving disparate cultures and a failed attempt to bring them together. It is the difference between a disgruntled workforce with high turnover and happy team members who are engaged and committed.

“There are only three measurements that tell you nearly everything you need to know about your organization’s overall performance: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow. It goes without saying that no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.” – Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

Jack Welch would know, since he became one of America’s most noted turn around consultants for floundering companies. Amazingly, when people are joyful in their work, aligned with their own talents and experience, and invested in an organization’s goals and values business profits come naturally.  As Napolean Hill said: “Everyone enjoys doing the kind of work for which he is best suited.” As I create strategies and implement the SIMPLE© process for organizations I find that some people aren’t aware that joy is an option at work. I asked my 10-year-old son Alex what he thought was most important in product development or the provision of a service (He is often a surprising source of great insights). He said “Mommy, it needs to bring more luxury and fun to people!” I challenge you to think about how much fun you had at work today. Did you experience joy in your work and your interactions? Or, were you stressed and overwhelmed by too many tasks and an avalanche of information? What if you could expect joy in your workplace every day?

During the holidays this year I’m taking a look at the role joy plays in my life. I notice I can only experience joy if I’m living in the moment. If I’m rushing from place to place and task to task all I get in return is stress, impatience and frustration. I don’t get much done and I’m certainly not happy about it. Everyone has a colleague who seems spent at the end of every work day, yet has few accomplishments. And, I guarantee that person is unhappy, resentful and feels unappreciated, but doesn’t understand why. If I’m living and working my priorities I have Joy and I actually notice it. I invite you to join me in asking yourself these questions every morning and every night for the next 10 days: Am I having fun? Am I being intentional about my priorities and do they include Joy? If not, what do I need to change?

I would love to hear your thoughts about “Does Joy Matter?” Comments welcome below. May your holidays and every day be filled with Joy and a deep sense of accomplishment and contentment.

Robin L. Moncrieff

CLEAR FOCUS STRATEGY
Founder and Lead Strategist
Copyright 2014 – All rights reserved

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