Joy vs. Happiness: Why Joy Might Be the Secret to Great Leadership - S3E33 -

Episode Summary In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Garth Nichols and I dig into a conversation that’s been sitting with both of us for a while — the difference between joy and happiness, and why that distinction matters so much for leaders.Happiness is often momentary. It’s the result of something good happening in the moment. Joy, on the other hand, runs deeper. It’s the thing that carries you through difficult days, tough seasons, and the hard work of building something meaningful with other people.We reflect on a recent conversation with the Chief Joy Officer from Menlo Park, and it sparked a bigger discussion about what it actually looks like to build organizations — and schools — where joy is intentionally part of the culture.That leads us into a practical conversation about hiring, leadership, and culture-building. What does it mean to hire for joy? How do you design an interview process that reveals who someone really is? And maybe the simplest question of all: Would I actually want to work with this person every day?Along the way we talk about the return on investment of joyful workplaces, the power of storytelling in shaping culture, and the importance of creating environments where people genuinely feel connected to the work and to each other.It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership, culture, and why joy might be one of the most underrated forces in building great organizations.Joy, Happiness, Leadership, Organizational Culture, Education Leadership, Hiring Practices, Well-being, Employee Engagement, Culture Building, SchoolsSoundbites:“Joy gets you through the hard times.”“Happiness is momentary. Joy runs deeper.”“One of the best hiring questions might simply be: Would I want to work with this person every day?”Chapters00:00 — Understanding Joy vs. Happiness06:39 — Hiring for Joy in Organizations09:39 — Interview Strategies for Candidates12:45 — Designing a Joyful Interview Process15:37 — The Return on Investment of Joy18:33 — The Role of Storytelling in Culture21:38 — Learning Through Organizational Visits24:29 — Upcoming Guests and Conversations26:59 — Beard’s Book Club OutroBorn to Run — Christopher McDougallRich Sheridan — Chief Joy Officer, Menlo InnovationsDrew Dudley — Day OneKurt Gray — Beard’s Book ClubClaude Silver — Chief Heart Officer, VaynerMediaJennifer Wallace — Never EnoughAshish Advani — Leadership author and speakerKeywordsEpisode TitlesSound BitesChaptersResources Mentioned