Good morning!

It’s cold and a little dreary here in the Boston area so we thought we would offer some lighthearted thoughts that are helping us get through at least another month of winter, and who knows how much longer of this pandemic.

According to research by Alex Liu and his colleagues, most employees experience a “joy gap” at work, but harmony (meaning complementary skills, not lack of conflict!), impact, and acknowledgement lessen this gap.

Ted Lasso, the fictional UK soccer coach on Apple TV+’s show, often says “I appreciate you.” Jeannie Hodes wrote a great post about the importance of telling people that we value who they are, not just what they do.

Speaking of fun and funny TV shows, laughter is a great remedy to the challenges of remote/hybrid work, a persistent pandemic, and the other stresses many of us are feeling. Researchers at The Mayo Clinic report a long list of physical and mental health benefits of laughter, including soothing tension, strengthening our immune systems, improving our moods, and even alleviating pain.

And finally, if you have not listened to the audiobook of Will, the memoir of Will Smith, you are missing out! This performance—and it really is nothing short of a performance—is magnificent! The book is a riveting story about Smith’s life and the challenges and successes he has experienced. Smith’s narration of the book is a powerful, engaging, and sometimes laugh-out-loud experience, delivered by one of the best storytellers we’ve ever heard.

Enjoy!

The Boda team