Does your team know what version of you is walking through the door today?
We have all worked for that boss.
If they just closed a big deal, the office is a party. High fives, jokes, lunch is on them. But if they just got a bad email? Or lost a client? The office becomes a morgue. Everyone walks on eggshells. No one pitches new ideas. Everyone tries to become invisible.
When your mood is tied to your metrics, you are not leading your team.
You are holding them hostage to your emotions.
In the Superhuman Framework, the Happy pillar is not about being a cheerleader. It is not about toxic positivity or pretending problems do not exist.
It is about cultivating a Joy so deep and so steady that your team feels safe regardless of what the market is doing.
Happiness vs. Joy (The Critical Shift)
The word “Happiness” comes from the root hap, meaning “chance” or “fortune” (like happenstance).
By definition, happiness relies on what happens to you.
This is an exhausting way to live, and a dangerous way to lead.
Joy is different. Joy is not a reaction; it is a spiritual fruit.
It is a settled state of assurance that God is in control, even when the spreadsheet is bleeding red.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:4-5
Paul wrote those words from a prison cell. He was not “Happy” about his circumstances. But he was filled with Joy.
| Happiness (Circumstance-Based) | Joy (Spirit-Based) |
|---|---|
| Depends on what happens to you | Anchored in who God is |
| Rises and falls with circumstances | Remains steady through storms |
| Reactive to the environment | Proactive in setting the atmosphere |
| Can be stolen by a bad email | Cannot be taken by external events |
| Makes your team walk on eggshells | Makes your team feel safe |
Thermometer vs. Thermostat
There are two types of leaders:
The Thermometer (Reactive)
A thermometer simply reflects the temperature of the room. If the environment is chaotic, the leader is chaotic. If the environment is stressful, the leader is stressed. They absorb and amplify the stress of the team.
The Thermostat (Proactive)
A thermostat sets the temperature. It does not matter if it is freezing outside; the thermostat decides, “In here, it is going to be 72 degrees and sunny.”
The “Happy” Superhuman Leader is a thermostat. They bring the Joy of the Lord into the room, stabilizing the atmosphere for everyone else.
Check Yourself
When a crisis hits, does my team look at me and see panic, or do they see peace?
Why Joy is a Competitive Advantage
You might be thinking, “I do not need to be happy; I need to be profitable.”
But the data shows they are connected.
Joy Creates Psychological Safety
When your team is not afraid of your mood swings, they are more likely to admit mistakes early (saving you money) and pitch risky ideas (making you money).
Joy is Resilience
A joyful leader bounces back from failure faster. They do not spiral when things go wrong. They recalibrate and keep moving.
Joy Attracts Talent
People want to work for a leader who enjoys their life. Life is too short to follow a miserable grump.
Check Yourself
Is your leadership style 'serious and stressed' because you think that looks 'professional'?
How to Cultivate Leadership Joy
You cannot just “decide” to be happy. But you can practice Joy.
The Morning Audit
Before you touch your phone, calibrate your heart. Remind yourself: “This is the day the Lord has made.” If you start with email, you start with the world's agenda. If you start with gratitude, you start with God's agenda.
Kill the “If/Then” Logic
Stop saying, “I will be happy when we hit $5M,” or “I will be happy when I hire that VP.” That is a lie. The finish line always moves. Learn to celebrate the progress now.
Laughter as a Weapon
Serious leaders can still laugh. Humor breaks tension. It humanizes you. It reminds the team that while the work is important, you are not saving lives (unless you are literally a surgeon). Lighten up.
Continue Your Journey
Frequently Asked Questions
No, and that is not the goal. Joy is not the absence of negative emotions. It is a deep, underlying settledness that coexists with difficulty. You can be grieving and still have joy. You can be stressed and still have peace. The goal is not perpetual happiness but a foundation of joy that sustains you through all emotions.
Happiness is circumstance-dependent—it rises and falls with external events. The word itself comes from "hap," meaning chance or fortune. Joy is deeper. It is rooted in something unchanging: your identity, your faith, your relationship with God. Happiness says "things are going well." Joy says "regardless of how things are going, I am anchored in something that cannot be taken from me."
Absolutely not. Joy does not mean being nice at the expense of being honest. Joyful leaders can have difficult conversations, give tough feedback, and make hard decisions. In fact, the security that comes from joy makes it easier to have those conversations because your identity is not threatened by conflict.
Joy in difficult circumstances comes from three sources: gratitude for what is still good, trust in God's sovereignty, and community that carries you. Practice noticing good even when bad is present. Remind yourself that God is still working. And lean into relationships rather than isolating.
Start by acknowledging it. Tell your team: "I realize my mood has affected you, and I am working on it." Then demonstrate change over time. Consistency is key. One bad day will not undo months of stability, but one good day will not undo years of volatility either. Be patient with yourself and ask for feedback.