Welcome TCPS
Our virtual headquarters for our time together
Agenda
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Session 1: The Power of Joy
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Session 2: Reflecting on Personal Joy
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Break
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Session 3: Mapping the Characteristics
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Session 4: Strategies to Cultivate a Joyful Team
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Closing

Agreements
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We are not 100% & that's ok
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Speak your truth in ways that respect other people’s truth.
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Turn to curiosity.
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Observe deep confidentiality.
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We will not reference what other people share. Observing this "protects people from feeling like their vulnerability is being analyzed, responded to, or gossiped about"
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No fixing, saving, advising or correcting each other.
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We all process differently, take space and make space in a way that is mindful of this difference.
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Be mindful of the power and privilege you bring into the space
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Expect non-closure
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Take care of yourself as needed
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Remain open to being surprised

Important Links
Agreement Feedback
Follow this link to share your thoughts
Joy Breaks
Learn more about Joy Breaks
Characteristics of a Joyful Team
Communication furthers alignment & belonging
In our team, communication is not merely a transaction of information; it's a powerful tool used to foster alignment and belonging. We value open and honest communication, where team members are encouraged to express ideas, concerns, and feedback freely. Our commitment to proactive and timely communication ensures that everyone is informed precisely when they need to be. We do not leave our team members alone to connect the dots, we communicate in a manner that gives the information that is needed to avoid misunderstanding. Transparency is at the core of our interactions, creating an environment where trust flourishes. We prioritize clarity in defining roles, goals, knowing the intersections of our work, and expectations, recognizing that clear communication is the foundation of a team that thrives on shared understanding.
Recognition that collective success thrives on the power of appreciating contributions
We understand that the heartbeat of success lies in our ongoing collective appreciation. Recognition is not just a mere formality; it's a dynamic force woven into our team fabric. We celebrate our achievements, personalize expressions of praise, and express gratitude for the affective labor that serves as the backbone of our team. On our team, every member is seen, heard, and acknowledged for their vital role in our collective success.
Feedback & Reflection propel their growth & development
A spirit of growth and development is nurtured through a dynamic feedback & reflection culture. We see feedback not as critique but as a pathway for enhancement. We warmly welcome and act upon feedback, embracing it as a catalyst for continuous improvement. Reflection is woven into our processes as a means to improve our client-facing work and enhance team dynamics. By noting our progress and areas of opportunity, we foster both individual and collective development.
Care-centered Engagement
We embrace care as a cornerstone of how we engage. Our investment in each other surpasses a concern with productivity. Empathy, compassion, and thoughtfulness signal genuine care for one another. Rooted in mutual respect and accountability at every level, we assume good intentions and choose curiosity over assumption. We do not shy away from conflict because we know that when handled properly and with care, conflict is an opportunity to gain deep insight. With shared agreements that extend beyond a code of conduct, we move collectively at a pace that brings us all forward together.
Commitment to personal wellness
We know that in order to drive the success of our organization, we must prioritize our well-being, doing so allows us to approach our work with renewed energy, building our emotional resilience and reducing the risk of burnout. We demonstrate mindfulness towards individual capacities and adjust as needed. In a world that actively measures our value by our productivity, we proclaim that rest is an integral part of our work cycle. By prioritizing health, we cultivate an environment where healthy boundaries become integral to our work and relationships. Our leadership not only preaches this principle but models it, inspiring the entire team. They provide the necessary resources, support, and encouragement, turning our commitment to personal wellness into reality.
Intentionally Cultivate Relationships
We recognize that teams, much like gardens, require cultivation. We intentionally create opportunities for connection, understanding that fostering relationships is both an informal and formal practice. Regularly, we ask ourselves how we can create the space for individuals to be in community with each other and bond over non-work topics. This intentional effort lays the foundation for our team to identify shared interests, create authentic connections, like each other, and improve their collaboration.
Organizational Alignment
Organizational Alignment is a key value. We prioritize shared outcomes when collaborating, keeping the organization's shared vision, goals, and values at the forefront of our collective efforts. Our commitment to the collective fosters unity and propels us toward shared success.
Employs an Equity Lens
We proudly embrace equity as a foundational pillar of our work. This commitment shapes everything we do, from ensuring equitable access to opportunities, to cultivating the leadership of new staff, and upholding the equitable distribution of work and access to learning opportunities. We endeavor to proactively foster a sense of justice by developing and engaging in equitable practices and seeking out diverse perspectives and experiences to build a truly inclusive and thriving team.
Recognizes the pervasiveness of power
We understand power as cyclical, actively checking power dynamics to ensure a balanced environment. Recognizing the influence of power on how we interpret messages and voice concerns, we acknowledge the constant presence of power in our interactions. As well as comprehend its connection to systems of privilege and oppression. While hierarchical power indeed exists, we firmly believe it should never be an excuse to not hold leaders accountable nor for control, manipulation, or punishment. It is our desire to promote an ethos of equity and collaboration.
Holistic Collaboration
In our team, we strike a delicate balance between optimism and realism, rejecting toxic positivity. We acknowledge that not everything is perfect, and we refuse the pressure to maintain an overly positive facade and instead prioritize addressing the hard truths that drive our work and collaborations forward. We encourage progress over perfection, embracing innovation as a cornerstone of our approach. Recognizing that silos limit our impact, we actively seek meaningful collaborations and believe in collaboration over competition. We lead with questions in order to foster greater understanding, and understand that effective teamwork requires practice, self-awareness, and consideration.
Snippets to Take
"When I talk about joy, I’m talking about something much more foundational. Joy is energy and information. Joy tells us something about what we need in order to feel alive, connected, and sustained in our lives and in our work. And in that way, joy is not separate from justice work. It is part of what makes justice work possible over time."
Expressions of joy = what
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What are the things that bring you joy
Essence of joy = why
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What is the deeper need, value, or condition being fulfilled?
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If we understand the conditions that nourish our joy, we can intentionally look for new ways to create them wherever we are. That's what makes joy sustainable.
"Our jobs have a huge impact on our quality of life and general sense of happiness. And while it would be nice to completely disconnect from work when we go home, that isn’t often the case. If we’re in a mood because we had a horrible day at work, that is carried home with us. It impacts our interactions with our loved ones. And those days when we’ve had wonderful days at work, we carry the lightness and joy home. It all boils down to this, the more positive I feel about my work and colleagues the more positive of an impact this will have on my life outside of work"
You deserve more than just to come in, punch a clock, and then count down the time until you can leave.
57%
Experience
Burnout
Research shows that 57% of employees experience negative side effects from work-related stress, often leading to burnout. Prioritizing joy helps alleviate this, creating healthier and more sustainable work environments.
57%
Experience
Burnout
Research shows that 57% of employees experience negative side effects from work-related stress, often leading to burnout. Prioritizing joy helps alleviate this, creating healthier and more sustainable work environments.
Joy isn't just about how you feel—it’s about the conditions that allow you & your work to thrive
Joyful Resources
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YOURJoy
Meet Dr. India Pierce-Jackson

AMBASSADOR
I’m India, a firm believer that work should be a source of joy, not anxiety. I’ve spent years helping organizations and change-makers improve their equity practices and organizational culture. In that time, I realized there was a crucial element missing: Joy! This inspired me to create The Joy Collaborative.
Joy isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a proven strategy for thriving teams, fulfilled leaders and business owners, as well as a better quality of life. I’m on a mission to transform how we work and inspire people like you to boldly chase joy in every aspect of their life.
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