Ep. 98, Play as Performance? YES, Joyosity™ Summer Sips
Forced fun is not play. And your team knows the difference.
Episode Summary:
In this Summer Sip, Jenn and Shelby revisit the playful wisdom of Jeff Harry—top HR voice, bow-tie enthusiast, and workplace play evangelist. This episode isn’t about ping pong tables or mandatory karaoke. It’s about how real play fuels real performance. Jeff dismantles the myth of “fun-at-work” by reminding us that true play requires psychological safety, freedom, and connection to purpose. He shares how following his love for toys didn’t lead to the joy he expected — and how discovering his own play style did. Whether you're trying to beat burnout, build braver teams, or rediscover what lights you up, this sip is a nudge to find your own flavor of play. (Bonus: it might just be where your best work is hiding.)
Key Takeaway
Your brilliance is in your blind spot. Play is how you find it.
Guest: Jeff Harry
Named a top HR voice by SHRM and a featured speaker at the NFL and NPR, Jeff Harry helps teams rediscover joy through play. With equal parts research, whimsy, and real talk, he teaches leaders how to build psychologically safe workplaces where innovation and humanity thrive.
Host: Jenn Whitmer
Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her upcoming book, Joyosity, hits shelves on October 21, 2025, offering leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results.
Co-Host: Shelby Merryweather
Shelby produces many live streaming shows and podcasts, including Joyosity™. She is also founder and CEO of Sunshine Lane, where she helps creative entrepreneurs lead with clarity and calm. Connect with Shelby at shelbymerryweather.com.
Pour Yourself a Full Glass:
February 2025 Episodes
- Episode 75: Eight Ways to Overcome Team Struggles and Stop Burnout
- Episode 76: Not Forced Fun: How Play Powers Productivity, Part 1 with Jeff Harry
- Episode 77: Tackling Toxic Work Environments with Play and Psychological Safety, Part 2 with Jeff Harry
- Episode 78: ICYMI: Half-Play or Full Play: Joy and Productivity at Work with Jenn and Shelby
Want to know your play style? Take this quiz! jennwhitmer.com/play-quiz
Joyosity Book Coming this Fall:
Join the Joyosity™ Works Very Important Party and get:
- Early sneak peeks of the book with real tools to help you in your life, your work, and in your leadership.
- An exclusive chance to shape this message, including cover art, and help other leaders create positive culture with complex people.
- Behind-the-scenes updates and bonuses.
Get in here: Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life jennwhitmer.com/books
Resources & Links:
Free 99 Steps: Why Do I Keep Doing This? Enneagram Motivations. You’re not broken. You’re just being run by a well-meaning but slightly unhinged internal script. Meet the five motivations behind your leadership quirks and learn how to flip the script with this quick guide. Joyosity Explorer Map will guide you to understanding the deeper purpose and story you tell yourself about your work. Joy is linked to purpose and productivity increases by 20% or more when you directly link your purpose to your work. Ready to Make a Plan: Joyosity™ Jumpstart Get crystal clear on what you want, what’s in the way, and what’s actually working. In this powerful strategy session, we’ll use the Joyosity™ Compass to name your roadblocks and map a leadership plan you can actually follow. No fluff, just traction. Schedule your session here. Starting the Journey: Enneagram Navigator Tired of trying to figure out your Enneagram type from freebie quizzes that leave you more confused than a group text with no context? In this 1:1 session, I’ll help you decode your motivations and blind spots so you can finally lead (and live) with clarity, not guesswork. Book your Navigator session here. Ready to Dive In: Joyosity™ Intensive What if you could clear the fog, realign with your values, and build a practical plan for joyful leadership — in just one transformative day? This personalized experience combines deep self-awareness, strategic clarity, and honest-to-goodness joy to help you lead with purpose and still like your life. Start the process here. A Party for More: Book Jenn to Speak When your whole team needs the spark — not just the spark notes — I bring the energy, expertise, and real talk that shifts culture. With contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter, I help leaders connect, communicate, and make
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