What if your workplace energized people instead of exhausting them? In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne talks with Rich Sheridan, CEO and co-founder of Menlo Innovations and author of Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer, about building a workplace culture people love.

Rich shares how his own experience with burnout inspired a different approach to leadership, one centered on joy, trust, collaboration, and human energy. Discover how fear-based leadership can undermine teamwork, why leaders need to stop being the person with every answer, and how Menlo’s practice of working in rotating pairs encourages shared knowledge and stronger relationships.

You’ll also hear why asking “Are you okay?” can transform a difficult interaction, how humility and apologies build trust, and why laughter belongs in a workplace doing serious work.

Whether you’re a CEO, manager, HR professional, or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical ideas for creating a positive workplace culture, supporting employee engagement, and protecting your life outside of work.

Listen and discover how joyful leadership can help you energize your team and rethink the way you work.

Rich's Bio:

Menlo Innovations CEO Rich Sheridan became disillusioned in the middle of his career in the chaotic technology industry. He had an all-consuming thought…things can be better. Much better. He had to find a way. Why couldn't a workplace be filled with camaraderie, human energy, creativity, and productivity?

Ultimately, Rich co-founded Menlo Innovations in 2001 to end human suffering in the workplace. His unique approach to custom software creation is so surprisingly different, that 3,000 people a year travel from around the world just to see how they do it.

His passion for creating joyful work environments and cultures led to his bestselling and widely celebrated books, Joy, Inc. - How We Built a Workplace People Love and Chief Joy Officer – How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear.

To contact Rich or purchase his books go to: https://richardsheridan.com/