#14 New York Times April Business Bestseller (April 3rd)

#13 on The Wall Street Journal Business Bestseller list
(March 25th)

#5 on The Washington Post Non Fiction Bestseller list
(March 27th)

33-city book tour continues throughout April

Throughout the next few months we’ll take a closer look at each of Dennis Bakke’s Top 10 rules—starting at Rule #10 and working our way to #1. This month we’ll look at Rule #10: Lead with Passion, Humility, and Love. What does it mean to lead with passion, humility, and love? Below you'll find Dennis Bakke's insight on Rule #10.

The most important character traits of a leader who embraces the principles and values championed in this book are humility; the willingness to give up power; courage; integrity; and love and passion for the people, values, and mission of the organization.

Humility is at the core of a leader’s heart. Humility is understanding who you really are, regardless of your title or education, your wealth or status. Humility underlies the impulse to make others do better. Being a leader is like being a good point guard in basketball. In Pat Conroy’s book My Losing Season, he describes the joyful role of a playmaker who makes everyone else on the team perform better than even the team members thought was possible.

“I wanted to luxuriate in the waters of pure and free-floating human joy,” he wrote. Conroy was not the best shooter or the best defender or the best rebounder. He did not make decisions for his teammates. But he was their leader. He served his teammates and made them better.

“Love” is not a word used much in the rough-and-tumble corporate world, perhaps because it sounds soft and sentimental. But as Max De Pree says in Leading Without Power, “We are working primarily for love.” Love prompts us to visit our employees around the world. Love makes us want to work extra time. Love pushes us to do whatever it takes to help others succeed. Love forgives mistakes and binds up the hurt and frustrated.



Leaders who create dynamic, rewarding, enjoyable workplaces love people. Love is an act of humility that says, “I need you.” Love affirms that the other person is worthy and important. The key is letting others make important decisions. When you lead with passion, humility, and love, people at all levels of the organization experience joy at work.Each month Dennis will answer a handful of workplace-related questions. To submit your own questions, please email all inquiries to askdennis@dennisbakke.com with the subject titled: Questions for Dennis.

> How do you know whether you need to make a change or that you are just suffering from ‘the grass is greener’ syndrome? --Chicago, IL

The best test is whether you are getting to take important actions or make important decisions in your current job that affect the product or service of the organization. You will not likely want to leave if you are using your abilities and making a difference in the organization. --DB

> I am having problems adjusting to changes within my company. We started out as a small team that was just trying to make it and over the last three years, our team culture has changed significantly. We went from 15 to 150 people, there's less concern about individuals and more about corporate politics and advancement of the management. I'm looking to move on since I miss the teamwork and support. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should look for? --Fairfax, VA

This is a very typical situation. Fun comes in many small start-up groups because everyone is trusted and gets to take on important responsibilities and decisions. Often, when the group gets bigger, bosses start to control things and make most of the important decisions or at least must approve everything. The fun is sapped from the organization very quickly. --DB

> What resources do you recommend to help me find what it is I would actually enjoy doing? I look back on 30 years of working and realize I've never really enjoyed any of my jobs. It sure would be nice to work at a job that I enjoy. The thing is, I don't have a clue what that is. Any way I can find out? --Washington, D.C.

Don't waste so much time finding out the specific type of work you like. No job is fun and enjoyable if your work doesn't contribute in an important way to the success of the organization and unless you have control of important aspects of your work. --DB

> “I picked up an advance copy at a book store, and my life has not been the same since. I passed the book along to a senior VP, who in turn, passed it along to the COO. I am missing the book already. For once in my career, I truly feel that I can make a difference as a ‘middle manager.’ I've ordered a copy, but I think I need about 10 more.”

> “I loved the tale he recounts of talking to three men. He asks the first what he is doing and the man responds, laying brick. The second says I am building a wall. The third man says I am building a Cathedral. How many of us are allowed at work to build that Cathedral?”

> “It is interesting how finding Joy at Work results in finding Joy in Life. A very inspiring book which make one realize that no matter what their station is within an organization, that one person can make a difference. Bakke's principles are my guiding light in finding ‘Joy at Work.’”

> “The greatest rediscovery from reading Joy at Work is that one is indeed responsible for their own happiness. Linking the concepts of joy and responsibility is key to appreciating the book fully. Since I have taken responsibility for my own feelings and actions, I have been a much happier person at work and at home—even my wife has noticed the ‘new me.’”
 
Get your own copy at: http://www.amazon.com/joyatwork