When joy spreads, connections are formed
The power of shared joy in working life
My cell phone rings. My colleague enthusiastically reports on a successful meeting. And as I listen to her, I feel joy spreading within me. Like an inner echo. Suddenly, I am beaming just as much as she is.
That is #sharedjoy: when you sincerely rejoice in someone else's happiness. It is the opposite of envy or resentment and much more than just a nice moment on the sidelines.
What happens in our brain
Shared joy activates the same areas of the brain as our own happiness. Dopamine is released, and stress hormones decrease. We experience it both emotionally and physically.
The more often we perceive joy—whether our own or someone else's—the easier it becomes to feel it. An upward spiral is created. Positive social resonance amplifies our well-being.
What it can do in everyday working life
Shared joy doesn't just change the mood. It changes how we lead, how we work together, and how connected we feel.
- Trust instead of competition: Shared joy strengthens psychological security. The “we” becomes more tangible.
- Motivation and commitment: Those who feel that their contribution is seen and appreciated are more likely to remain intrinsically motivated.
- Courage and innovation: Where joy is shared, there is room for new ideas without fear of failure.
- Better collaboration: Shared joy promotes cooperation, helpfulness, and solution-oriented thinking through a positive attitude.
The good news is that shared joy can be cultivated.
It is not an innate trait, but rather an attitude that we can develop. Buddhist teachings recognize mudita, or compassionate joy, as one of the four qualities of the heart, alongside compassion, loving kindness, and equanimity.
Research shows that those who regularly practice shared joy measurably change the structure of their brains. Areas related to empathy, emotion regulation, and learning are strengthened—with positive effects on our experiences and interactions with others.
It is like a muscle that grows through friendly empathy, compassion, and celebration.
What you can do specifically
- Be mindful of the moments when others experience joy. And let yourself be touched by it.
- Actively celebrate other people's successes. A sincere “I'm happy for you” has more impact than you think.
- Give compliments generously and from the heart.
- Reflect on your inner attitude: How easy is it for you to rejoice with others? And what helps you let go of envy or comparisons?
- Be aware of the moods in the team. Where does lightheartedness arise? And what could you strengthen by sharing in their joy?
- Make shared joy part of the team culture through small rituals, e.g., “joy moment of the week” in the stand-up meeting.
When shared joy is given space, it changes how we interact with each other.
When was the last time you shared in someone's joy?
#teamculture #positiveLeadership #connection #psychologicalsafety
