Question One

What does being JoyPowered™ at work mean to you? If you feel JoyPowered™, how can you create more joy? And if you aren’t JoyPowered™, how can you discover your joy?

Okay, I guess that was three questions, not one. Many people ask me, “What does JoyPowered™ mean?” They are a bit disappointed, initially, when I respond that there is no magic answer. My goal was never to give you the answer. It was to have you think about what the answer is for you.

I went to a conference recently in Indianapolis, The Faith & Action Project. It was not about work; it was about faith, poverty, gang intervention, and rehabilitation. Needless to say, it was not a typical conference for me. Of course, that meant that not only did I learn a lot about faith, poverty, gang intervention, and rehabilitation, but I also learned even more about what I thought I already knew a lot about – JoyPowered™ environments, teams, human resources, and workspaces.

Question Two

How do you feel on Monday mornings?

1. I get to go to work today!
2. I have to go to work today.

One of the speakers at the conference was a former felon, formerly homeless, and an alcoholic; he is now working successfully, has a family, and is buying his first home. He said, “I am so grateful I get to go work.” Are you?

Below are some of the notes I wrote at the conference. I wrote them from a perspective of faith, poverty, and serving others. If you are interested, read them first in this context.

But then, I re-read them in the context of JoyPowered™ environments, teams, human resources, and workspaces. I encourage you to read them in this context and reflect on what it means to you – as a leader, a team member, or as a person at work.

• It’s not about us, it’s about them
• We belong to each other
• Stop trying to reach them, instead ask yourself, “Can I be reached?”
• Be in awe of what the poor have to carry vs. being in judgment of what they have to carry
• Choose to be the tender glance and allow ‘them” to comfort us
• “We are not called to be successful, we are called to be faithful” – Mother Teresa
• The task is listening to them not yakking at them
• “We are used to being ‘watched’ not being ‘seen.’” – gang member
• Be anchored in the moment
• Welcome our own wounds, or we might be tempted to despise the wounded
• Be present to one another
• You are here!
• It’s about accompanying and receiving people by listening to them

As I change my view of the world, the world around me changes. I choose joy. What do you choose?