Joyosity - by Jenn Whitmer (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Bring Joy Back to Leadership--And Watch Your Team Thrive.

Burnout is rampant. Employee disengagement is at an all-time high. Leaders are stuck between driving productivity and maintaining well-being--but what if the missing ingredient is joy?

In Joyosity, leadership expert Jenn Whitmer presents a groundbreaking approach to workplace culture that prioritizes joy as a strategic advantage. Through her Joyosity Compass, a practical framework grounded in leadership principles, the Enneagram, and the science of human connection, she helps leaders cultivate curiosity, connection, and culture to create thriving, innovative teams.

Packed with personal stories, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies, this book offers a refreshing alternative to conventional leadership models--one that fosters engagement, fuels creativity, and enhances both personal and organizational success. Whether you're leading a small team or a global company, Joyosity will help you build a workplace where people don't just work--they flourish.

For business leaders, HR professionals, and entrepreneurs ready to redefine leadership and unlock the power of joy.

Review Quotes

"As a creative leader who has always believed that we were never made to suffer our way to greatness, I have learned that real brilliance flows when joy fuels the making--when teams create, collaborate, and innovate with life in the process, not just in the outcome. Joyosity is a playbook for that kind of work and Jenn Whitmer shows us that joy isn't just the reward--it's the way." --Ken Black, Former Nike creative director and chief creative officer at GMR Marketing

"As the CEO of the American Negotiation Institute and host of the world's number-one negotiation podcast with over 1,600 episodes, I've had the privilege of learning from some of the best. Jenn Whitmer is one of the rare guests I've invited back multiple times--because she brings something different. While many focus on tactics and scripts, Jenn goes deeper, shining a light on the often-overlooked drivers of joy, connection, and humanity. Her work is a refreshing and necessary reminder that success in life and leadership isn't just about strategy--it's about the courage to create spaces of joy where people can truly thrive." --Kwame Christian Esq., MA, Bestselling author, podcaster, founder and CEO of American Negotiation Institute

"Forget toxic positivity. This is joyful leadership with teeth (and a smile). Backed by research and packed with tools, Joyosity turns joy into your secret weapon. Stop surviving and start leading (and reading)." --Ron Tite, Bestselling author of Think. Do. Say. and The Purpose of Purpose

"If there's anyone I'd take notes from on how to bring and create more joy at work (and in life), it'd be Jenn Whitmer. Joyosity brings wisdom, research, and story together in a way that feels both deeply human and entirely practical. This book is a refreshing call for leaders to embrace joy, not as a luxury, but as a force for trust, performance, and connection. If you lead others--or even yourself--this book will help you do so with more courage, clarity, and heart." --Stephen "Shed" Shedletzky, Leadership speaker, coach, and author of Speak-Up Culture

"In a world where culture is a competitive advantage, joy is the secret ingredient to success, and Joyosity is the guide. Jenn Whitmer provides research-backed tools and practices to help leaders overcome challenges--from burnout to business metrics--to create joyful environments that get results." --Kindra Hall, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and keynote speaker

"Jenn Whitmer reminds us that joy isn't a luxury in leadership--it's a necessity. Joyosity is honest, practical, and deeply human, showing leaders how to fuel both people and performance through joy." --Lisa Nichols, CEO and cofounder of Technology Partners, speaker, author, and host of the Something Extra podcast

"Joy is more than a commodity . . . it's the foundation upon which we build a meaningful life. And we're losing it. Joyosity is essential reading for employees, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between." --Rebecca Tolbert, LICSW, ADHD specialist

"Joy isn't some extra sprinkle on leadership; it's the whole cake. In Joyosity, Jenn Whitmer reminds us that people don't follow spreadsheets; they follow joy-filled leaders. This book is an invitation with an instruction manual that is equal parts story, science, and strategy. If you've ever rolled your eyes at joy, Jenn will change your mind and your leadership." --Bob Goff, Four-time New York Times bestselling author

"Joyosity is a much-needed guide for leaders committed to creating workplaces where people flourish. Jenn Whitmer shows that joy isn't fluff--it's a deeply rooted and powerful fuel for productivity, connection, and lasting impact." --Lauren Ready, Six-time Emmy winner, owner and principal storyteller at Forever Ready Productions, and author of Ask Like a Leader

"Joyosity is a road map for brave leaders with the audacity to create cultures where humanity and high performance finally live in harmony--where roots bear fruit and the fire within is free to fly." --Judi Holler, USA Today bestselling author, speaker, and self-expressionist

"Joyosity is so much more than a typical leadership book--it's a celebration of what makes us human. I absolutely loved every page! This book recognizes the beautiful complexity within each of us and addresses the whole person, not just the leader. The insights are profound, the information is invaluable, and the practical to-dos are incredibly helpful. I found myself inspired and energized, and I'll be ordering copies for my entire leadership team. If you want to foster authentic, joyful leadership, this is the book you need!" --Angela Quinn, Esq., COO of Husch Blackwell

"Joyosity is the book we ALL need! This is a brilliant blend of unforgettable stories, rock-solid science, and strategies you can use right away. This isn't leadership fantasy. It's the perfect playbook for real leaders in real life. I couldn't stop reading, and I kept thinking: Leaders need this NOW. Bonus? You'll laugh out loud while you learn. Jenn Whitmer shows joy as the science and the strategy for leaders who actually want to thrive." --Jenny Evans, Speaker, author, and executive coach on resilience and performance

"Joyosity is the leadership book I didn't know I was waiting for. Unlike most you-can-do-it leadership books, Jenn doesn't just talk theory; she hands you stories, research, and tools you can actually use today. This read gives you a road map to create teams that perform, belong, and thrive." --Kim Kaupe, Entrepreneur, speaker, and cofounder of Bright Ideas Only

"Joyosity isn't about pretending everything's fine or putting on a happy face--it's about leading well from the mess of a Monday morning through the demands of a Friday afternoon, and every moment in between. With wisdom grounded in the Enneagram, experience, and research, Jenn Whitmer shows leaders how joy and curiosity can help people flourish and organizations thrive." --Scott Allender, Author of The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence

"Joyosity isn't another book about chasing happiness. It's a smart, research-based road map for leaders. With stories that resonate and tools you can actually use, Jenn makes the case that joy is not a luxury; it's the foundation for cultures where people flourish and deliver extraordinary business results." --Dr. Tasha Eurich, New York Times bestselling author of Shatterproof, Insight, and Bankable Leadership

"Leadership is everyday negotiation. In Joyosity, Jenn Whitmer shows how curiosity and joy transform conflict into connection. Not fluff--practical and tactical strategies that make workplaces less exhausting and more collaborative." --S. Lucia Kanter St. Amour, Attorney, VP for UN Women, and author

of For the Forces of Good

"Meeting Jenn was the silver lining to my COVID clouds, building up my self-confidence at a point when I really needed it. By sharing her wisdom through writing Joyosity, many others can benefit as I did. There can be a lot of toxicity in modern life, often the consequence of poor leadership, which Jenn draws out and then provides the antidote--joy to counteract the stress and anxiety we invariably encounter. Joyosity is a robust resource for you and to recommend to others!" --Steve J. Smith, Business advisor and author of The Power of Baked Alaska

"We've been conditioned to believe that joy doesn't belong in the workplace--that work is supposed to be serious and hard. With wisdom, clarity, and practical insight, Joyosity is a powerful invitation to rethink what we've been taught and to embrace the idea that joy at work isn't a luxury but a necessity for thriving

organizations and people." --Amy Shaw, President and CEO of Nine PBS

"With humor, heart, and a knack for turning conflict into connection, Jenn Whitmer shows leaders how to transform stress into joy and build teams that thrive as much as they achieve." --Will Guidara, New York Times bestselling author of Unreasonable Hospitality, co-producer of FX's The Bear, host of The Welcome Conference

"Work without joy is toil--and Jenn Whitmer refuses to let us languish." --Liane Davey, PhD, The Teamwork Doctor and NYT bestselling author

"I was the first to preorder Joyosity because I knew Jenn would deliver the truth about joy at work and why it matters. I once built success that looked great from the outside but left me burned out inside. This book is deeply researched, wildly relatable, and packed with tools that help leaders create success that actually feels like success with JOY." --Erika Biddix, Speaker and entrepreneurial strategist

"Jenn Whitmer's Joyosity is the ultimate playbook on leading yourself and translating it into leading others. She gives you the human-centered skills to become the kind of person who leads with curiosity, emotional intelligence, and authentic joy. It's leadership from the inside out." --Kevin B. Jennings, Business coach and personal brand strategist