Richard Sheridan is founder of Menlo Innovations and author of “Joy, Inc.” and “Chief Joy Officer.” He shares an inspirational guide for those seeking joy in the challenge of leading others and pushes readers to think, act and lead different. Too many live in quiet desperation. It’s Richard’s mission to bring those people out of those lives and thrive in whatever workplace they are in. Before Menlo Richard was in a job that by all definitions he should have loved. He was creating art and making a real impact in people’s lives, however he was not happy. He realized he had created a culture where nobody at his company could make a move without his approval. He knew the company could not move forward any faster than him. Shedding the “smartest guy in the room image” was an important part of culture Richard wanted to instill wherever he went next. In “Chief Joy Officer” Richard shows the importance of intertwining culture and leadership. He brings in his experience from running Menlo Innovations and his consulting elsewhere to offer a wise, provocative guide on how anyone can build leadership with a focus on joy within their own organization. What is Richard’s definition of Joy? Joy is in service to others. He believes it speaks to the heart of the engineer. People want to see the work of their hearts, hands and minds be made and used in the world. They want to see their creation mean something to someone else and create delight. Too often people are motivated by artificial fear rather than motivated by positivity. Joy is the culture he wants everything he does to be centered around. In this episode of Trend Following Radio: Extreme programing Running experiments Trusting your team What is Joy? Killing ideas vs. action oriented Index cards