Finding joy at work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some long, excellent publications about finding joy at work. For example, there is a 42-page pdf white paper by Jessica Perlo et al. in 2017 from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) titled IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work. It describes:

 

“The importance of joy in work (the ‘why’).

 

Four steps leaders can take to improve joy in work (the ‘how’).

 

The IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work: nine critical components of a system for ensuring a joyful, engaged workforce (the ‘what’).

 

Key change ideas for improving joy in work, along with examples from organizations that helped test them.

 

Measurement and assessment tools for gauging efforts to improve joy in work.”

 

And there is an article by Alex Liu at the Harvard Business Review in July 2019 titled Making Joy a Priority at Work. Another article by Megan Dalla-Camina at Psychology Today on December 12, 2023 is titled 6 Ways to Find More Joy at Work. 

 

And there is a 60-page pdf article by Amanda Cornett and Jeannine Herrick from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in July 2024 titled Joy in Work Implementation Guide. On page 8 they mention nine key areas:

 

Physical and psychological safety

Meaning and purpose

Choice and autonomy

Recognition and rewards

Participative management

Camaraderie and teamwork

Daily improvement

Wellness and resilience

 

A section on page 47 about Spreading Joy begins:

 

“Joy deserves to be spread to others. You can create a ripple effect that starts with your team and then spreads to others. Be intentional and plan for how you will spread and scale your efforts. A workplace culture that prioritizes JOY IN WORK will typically use a layered approach continuously thinking through how the implementation steps look differently for SELF (the manager), INDIVIDUAL STAFF, TEAM, and the overall ORGANIZATION. If you’ve been successful with your SELF, STAFF, and TEAM what do you do next to spread it to others and throughout the ORGANIZATION.”

 

The cartoon was cropped from one at OpenClipArt.