As the holiday season envelops us in its warmth, I’ve been reflecting on a simple yet profound concept: joy.

In our fast-paced, results-driven world, joy often takes a backseat to deadlines, metrics, and deliverables. But what if joy wasn’t just a byproduct of success? What if it were a driving force behind it?

This year, I’ve been inspired by coachees, leaders and thinkers who remind us that joy is not only essential in our personal lives but also in our workplaces. Joy isn’t just about happiness—it’s about creating environments where people feel safe, connected, and energized to do their best work. As we close out this year and prepare for the next, I want to share some ideas and resources that have helped me embrace the power of joy in leadership and teamwork.

The Free Gift of Joyful Leadership

One of the most inspiring voices on this topic is Richard Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations and author of Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear. Sheridan challenges us to think differently about leadership by prioritizing joy as a core value. In his work, he emphasizes that joy thrives in workplaces where fear is eliminated, trust is cultivated, and collaboration is celebrated.

To dive deeper into his perspective, I highly recommend listening to his conversation on the Harvard Business Review IdeaCast podcast. In this episode, Sheridan shares practical insights into how leaders can foster joy within their teams—by creating spaces where people feel empowered to innovate and connect authentically.

The Power of Teamwork

While joy begins with leadership, it flourishes within teams. Patrick Lencioni’s classic book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable has been a guiding light for many leaders seeking to build cohesive teams. Lencioni outlines five common pitfalls that derail teamwork:

1) absence of trust,
2) fear of conflict,
3) lack of commitment,
4) avoidance of accountability, and
5) inattention to results

and provides actionable strategies for overcoming them.

Together, Sheridan’s focus on joy and Lencioni’s framework for team health offer a powerful blueprint for creating workplaces where people thrive. These lessons remind us that leadership isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about inspiring others to bring their best selves to work every day.

Spreading the Joy in 2025

As we prepare for a new year, let’s reflect on how we can spread joy in our own circles. Here are a few simple ways to start:
Lead with empathy: Take time to understand your team’s needs and challenges. A little compassion goes a long way.
Celebrate small wins: Recognize achievements (big or small) to keep morale high.
Foster connection: Create opportunities for meaningful interactions that strengthen trust and collaboration.
Eliminate fear: Encourage open communication and make it safe for people to share ideas or admit mistakes.

Resources to Inspire You

If you’re looking for inspiration as you step into 2025 or wish to spread the gift of joy to others, here are two books that have profoundly shaped my perspective on leadership and teamwork:

1) Chief Joy Officer by Richard Sheridan: A guide to creating joyful workplaces through servant leadership.

2) The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni: A timeless fable about overcoming challenges to build high-performing teams.

Both books offer invaluable lessons for leaders at any stage of their journey. Whether you’re leading a team or simply looking to bring more positivity into your work life, these resources are sure to inspire.

To take your mind off work, while still spreading joy and building teams in a different way, I recommend a book by our dear coach colleague Leemei:

3) The Asian Home Kitchen : Fresh, vibrant dishes from Kuala Lumpur to Kyoto by Tan-Boisgillot, Leemei

Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season

As we close out this year, let’s commit to spreading joy—not just during the holidays but every day. Let’s create workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and empowered. Let’s lead with intention and care so that joy becomes not just an outcome but a way of being.

Wishing you all a season filled with warmth, connection, and inspiration—and an extraordinary start to 2025!

Warm regards,

ReF.team