Finding Joy as a Manager — Even on Bad Days

Four strategies to instill hope, curiosity, and meaning back into your workday.

August 22, 2024

Illustration by Benedetta Vialli

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When work and life are overwhelming, it can be difficult to reclaim a sense of joy at work. Research has shown the benefits of incorporating joy, hope, and optimism into the workplace to combat burnout and improve well-being. The author recommends four strategies to reconnect with joy at work on your toughest days: src) Find your why: Reconnect with your passion and purpose by aligning your work with what brings you joy, what you are good at, and what the world needs. 2) Embrace a beginner’s mindset: Approach challenges with curiosity and openness, fostering a sense of wonder. 3) Sprinkle gratitude and joy like confetti: Actively recognize and celebrate contributions to build a supportive and cohesive team culture. 4) Fuel your joy: Maintain positive reminders and practice self-compassion to sustain energy and enthusiasm in your role.

Several months into the pandemic, I found myself feeling persistently down as the new leader of a global team. Each day, I faced a wave of challenges for colleagues I’d never met and planned strategies for offices I had never seen. The rising tide of crushing workloads and interpersonal tensions threatened to pull us under. At the same time, the lack of face-to-face interactions left me yearning for the teamwork that could sustain us through difficult times. With uncertainty and fear everywhere, finding inspiration felt nearly impossible.

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Daisy Auger-Domínguez is a Chief People Officer, workplace strategist, speaker, and author on future readying the workforce and building high-performing teams that deliver a competitive advantage without burning out. Daisy serves on the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, her alma mater, was named one of Hispanic Executive’s Top src0 Leaders, and lives in Brooklyn, NY.