• HR Jolt
  • Posts
  • 😊 Why Finding Joy Makes Better Leaders

😊 Why Finding Joy Makes Better Leaders

July 29, 2025

In partnership with

Find out why 1M+ professionals read Superhuman AI daily.

In 2 years you will be working for AI

Or an AI will be working for you

Here's how you can future-proof yourself:

  1. Join the Superhuman AI newsletter – read by 1M+ people at top companies

  2. Master AI tools, tutorials, and news in just 3 minutes a day

  3. Become 10X more productive using AI

Join 1,000,000+ pros at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon that are using AI to get ahead.

🤝 HR Trend Spotlight: Paychex Acquires SixFifty, Signaling a New Legal-HR Integration Wave

In a quiet but strategic move, Paychex has acquired SixFifty, a legal technology company known for automating employment law compliance. While financial details were not disclosed, the acquisition sends a clear signal that payroll and HR service providers are expanding deeper into the legal compliance space. For HR teams, this means the future of managing employment policies, handbooks, and state-specific regulations may be increasingly software-driven. Read more.

🎧 HR Insights - Why Finding Joy Makes Better Leaders

It may seem counterintuitive that high-performing leaders, often pressed for time, should focus on joy—but that’s precisely what Harvard Business School’s Leslie Perlow argues in her work on executive satisfaction. Her research shows that leaders who intentionally carve out time for activities that bring them happiness—beyond passive entertainment—are more effective, more resilient, and better at managing stress.

💡 HR Tips & Tricks

Tip of the Day: Start tracking the time between an employee’s first performance warning and their actual exit date. Patterns in this timeline can uncover whether your disciplinary process is too rushed or too drawn out—and help managers course-correct.

Trick of the Day: Use a “what’s missing” approach in exit interviews. Instead of just asking what went wrong, ask departing employees what was never offered or never discussed. This opens a new line of insight into missed opportunities.

🧾 HR Case Files - Why Workplace Flexibility Isn’t Optional Anymore

Dessalen Wood, Chief People Officer and thought leader in talent development emphasizes that workplace flexibility is now a core expectation, not a luxury. She cited multiple cases where rigid work policies directly contributed to disengagement, attrition, and strained team dynamics. Flexibility, she argues, is not about working from home—it’s about trust, autonomy, and tailoring expectations to the individual without sacrificing accountability. Wood’s examples come from real workplace stories, such as employees who thrived after moving to asynchronous hours or teams that saw performance rise after abandoning “standard office hours.” These stories highlight that flexibility, when properly structured, can lead to better productivity, faster problem-solving, and higher morale.

Key Takeaways

  • Workplace flexibility goes beyond remote work—it’s about personalization and trust.

  • Rigid policies often drive attrition, even when compensation is competitive.

  • The most successful flexibility programs are structured and outcome-focused.

🧰 HR Toolbox

Stay equipped with the latest HR events and resources.

Resource of the Day

A new chapter in Springer’s Handbook of Research on Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Entrepreneurship outlines how universities are using AI and digital HR platforms to improve faculty development and student services. While the study is rooted in higher education, the broader applications are valuable for HR professionals in any field.

The research highlights the need to integrate technology into daily HR functions, not just strategic planning. Tools that track employee development, measure engagement in real-time, and provide feedback loops are helping institutions move beyond traditional evaluations. The emphasis is on using data to inform learning paths and unlock performance—not just report on outcomes.

Event of the Day

The upcoming GDS North America event on August 4-5 at Dallas, offers timely relevance to HR leaders. Several sessions explore how HR and marketing departments can collaborate on employer branding, leadership messaging, and internal culture campaigns.

For event details and registration, visit the website. 

Showcase your brand/product/services in our newsletter and reach over 24,000 industry leaders in human resources! Contact us today to advertise with HR Jolt.

Disclosure: Some content in this newsletter may be sponsored or include affiliate links. HR Jolt might earn commissions or have a business interest in featured companies. Read our privacy policy.