When was the last time you felt joy at work?

Not just satisfaction from checking off your to-do list, but real, spark-in-your-heart joy—the kind that reminds you why your work matters and why your voice is worth using?

For many professionals, that feeling has faded. Meetings feel transactional. Presentations feel pressured. Even client conversations can become just another item on the agenda. Somewhere between trying to sound impressive and managing everything on your plate, you may have lost the why behind your words.

Here’s something to consider when you rediscover joy in your work, especially in how you communicate, everything shifts. Your presence strengthens. Your confidence grows. You become more persuasive, more present, and—yes—more powerful.

Joy Isn’t Fluff. It’s Fuel.

It’s easy to dismiss joy as a “nice-to-have,” especially when you're navigating deadlines, data, and decision-makers. But science says otherwise.

Harvard researcher and author Shawn Achor found that happiness doesn’t follow success—it creates it. In fact, only 25% of job success is tied to IQ. The remaining 75% is linked to optimism, social support, and the ability to view stress as a challenge rather than a threat.

When you operate from a positive state, your brain performs better, you’re more creative, focused, and persuasive. You think faster, speak with more clarity, and connect more easily with others.

In other words, joy at work isn’t a luxury. It’s a leadership skill.

The Connection Between Joy and Voice

Have you ever been in a meeting where someone spoke with so much ease and conviction that you instantly paid attention?

That’s what happens when someone matches their voice to their values. It’s authentic. It’s energized. And it’s rare—because too many professionals are stuck in survival mode, just trying to get through the next thing on their calendar.

But joy acts like a tuning fork. When you’re connected to what lights you up, your message rings clearer. You speak with more energy and less overthinking. You shift from robotic to real, from memorized to meaningful.

That kind of presence doesn’t just impact how others see you. It impacts how you see yourself.

Start with One Small Shift

If you’ve been feeling disconnected or uninspired, the good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your career to find more joy at work. You just need to start noticing the moments where it already exists—and build from there.

Here’s one habit you can begin today:

Track one meaningful moment where your voice made a difference.

Each day, pause and write down a moment when:

• You spoke up and were heard.

• You encouraged someone else.

• You offered insight that shifted a conversation.

Your brain is hardwired to focus on the negative (thanks, evolution). But when you intentionally notice the good, those moments stick—they become confidence-boosting Velcro instead of forgettable Teflon.

Try This: Your Joy Reconnection Exercise

At the end of your day, answer these three quick prompts:

1. What’s one moment I felt energized or proud of how I communicated today?

2. Who did I connect with, and how did it feel?

3. What am I grateful for about my voice or message right now?

These micro-moments of reflection shift your mindset. Over time, they help you reconnect with what makes your work—and your voice—valuable.

Final Thought: Joy is a Signal, not a Distraction

Joy isn’t a detour from your career goals. It’s a signal that you’re aligned with your purpose, your values, and your voice.

Whether you’re leading meetings, presenting to clients, or simply trying to feel more like yourself at work, know this: your voice matters. And when you speak from a place of confidence and clarity, you don’t just communicate—you connect.