Ep. 120, The New Year Trope Leaders Keep Believing
“New Year. New You.”
Hard pass.
In this solo episode, Jenn calls time-of-death on “New Year, New You” and offers a far more grounded, powerful alternative: New Year. New Opening. Instead of reinventing yourself, this conversation invites you to understand yourself—starting with your values. Jenn walks through why values aren’t words for websites or walls, but the foundation of effective leadership, resilient teams, and sustainable joy. You’ll learn a simple, practical framework for identifying and operationalizing your values so they actually shape your decisions, culture, and day-to-day leadership—not just sit on a wall collecting dust.
Here’s What’s in the Episode:
- You don’t need a new you—you need self-leadership.
- And self-leadership starts with clarity, not hustle.
- Values are a business strategy, not a personality exercise.
- Values-driven cultures consistently outperform on revenue, retention, and trust.
- Clarity beats willpower every time.
- When your values are named, defined, and operationalized, decisions get easier—and alignment follows.
- Words don’t create culture. Behavior does.
- Values only matter when they show up in how you lead, communicate, and make decisions under pressure.
Key Takeaway
Values are more than aspirational. The need to be operational to cultivate joy. About the 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 book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks offer leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results.
Resources & Links:
Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook
- Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life (Even If Things Are What They Are) Joy isn’t extra. Joy is how you thrive.
- This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish.
- Joyosity Works Playbook: Practical Plays and Strategies for Joy at Work and Beyond is the official companion workbook to Joyosity to help you practice joy every day.
- Find links to purchase at https://jennwhitmer.com/books or you may even see it in the airport this month.
Free 99:
- Get your Values Identifier Guide → You can’t lead with confidence if you’re unclear on what matters. This free guide helps you identify and define your top five values—so your choices stop feeling like darts in the dark. jennwhitmer.com/values-guide
Ready to Make a Plan:
- Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what’s in the way, and how to move forward with traction.
Starting the Journey:
- Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots.
Ready to Dive In:
- Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership.
A Party for More:
- Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter.
Loved this episode?
Rate, review, and share with a fellow leader who’s ready to ditch the drama and lead with more joy, curiosity, and clarity.
