Linda Thompson's Key Ideas from Chief Joy Officer
by Richard Sheridan

• Model and embody boundless energy, optimism, enthusiasm and zest.
• When leaders clearly love what they do and find joy in the journey, it spreads.
• Share excitement authentically. Bring an upbeat spirit of fun and liveliness to all interactions, even challenges.
• People flourish under dynamic optimism.

Show that your organization is deeply obsessed with understanding, serving and creating amazing experiences for people - both your team members and external customers/partners.

Make every human interaction uplifting. People crave working at places with caring, human-centered cultures.

• Delight people through small bursts of surprise, authentic appreciation and celebration.
• Send handwritten thank you notes, impromptu treats, personalized gestures of recognition.
• Thoughtfulness multiplies reciprocal joy. People remember how you made them feel.

Proactively support mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health and balance. Operate with care, flexibility and humanity.

Encourage self-care, development, and managing energy. Healthy environments liberate engagement and multiply productivity.

Let team members shine as their authentic selves. Foster trust that people will not be punished or judged for harmless self-expression.

Channel their unique passions and strengths. Personality diversity elevates collaboration when embraced. 

• Intentionally strengthen interpersonal bonds and a sense of community among team members.
• Facilitate relationships through offsites, breaks together, group activities, mentorship.
• Nurture care and belonging. Social needs are as critical as professional ones.

Walk the talk. Make espoused values like integrity, care and transparency real in all practices. Hypocrisy instantly destroys engagement and morale.

Do the right thing for people, partners and society - beyond profits. Ethics bring purpose.