‘Tis the season of joy! When I was a child, I loved the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I would count down the days until the big day! Yes, Christmas!
During that time, I would work very hard on my list for Santa. I would prepare a detailed list in order of priority. To ensure Santa would get the right items, I would include the page number, item number, color, and quantity in the Sears Wish Book catalog.
When Christmas day arrived, I would wake everyone up early to open our presents. While I enjoyed receiving my presents, I was filled with joy when I saw the expression on my family’s faces as they opened their gifts.
As I grew up, the joy of the season began to wane. The busyness, combined with my perceived obligation to give gifts, resulted in a stress-filled holiday. Although I was happy to celebrate the holidays, I had lost my joy.
However, when I became a parent, my joy of the season returned. I loved helping my children celebrate the Christmas season. We would wrap presents, decorate the house, and work on their list for Santa. On Christmas Eve, we would go to church, bake cookies for Santa, and watch the news to track Santa’s progress.
The best day of the Christmas season was watching my children open their presents. The smiles on their faces, combined with their squeals of excitement, brought joy to my heart.
Today my children are grown with their children. When they left our home to begin the next season of their lives, I wondered if my joy would wane again. Much to my surprise, I found my happiness increased, which led me to ask the question of why!
Now it wasn’t because we were empty nesters, although we enjoyed our newfound freedom. To answer my question, I decided to research the difference between joy and happiness. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Joy is the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Happiness is a state of well-being and contentment, a pleasurable or satisfying experience.
Recognizing the difference between joy and happiness helped me to understand my past feelings.
As I expanded my understanding of joy, I began to explore the impact of joy in other areas of my life. By applying the definition of joy to my career, I realized why I enjoyed being a leader.
So, what is the relationship between joy and leadership? Leadership is hard work! To be a successful leader, you must love people and enjoy work. The leader sets the tone for the organization.
Enthusiasm is contagious, and if the leader lacks it, the organization will suffer.
“Lack of joy, will also limit your belief and vision.”
Jerome Knyszewski
Remember, joy is the emotion provoked by well being and success. The primary focus of a leader is to empower and equip others to achieve the organization’s vision and mission.
“Let your joy be in your journey—not in some distant goal.”
Tim Cook
As the leader in your organization, I encourage you to find joy in leadership.
So, what do you think?
Are you finding joy in leadership?
#YourLeadershipGuide
Kim
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Joy is a critical element, Kim you are 100% with your column The joy and pleasure of leading and accomplishing makes the hard work worthwhile. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and James!