How can a company nurture true joy and collaboration within the supply chain and throughout the organization? Kat Small, chief of staff with White Labs, has the answer.

Is there the possibility of “joy” in the business world? Not only is it the case, says Small, it’s “mission-critical.”

“You have to have passion to drive your team,” she says. Companies need to create a culture of total commitment to that end.

Passion in the workplace begins at the top. Top executives need to set an example of striking the right attitude and displaying a work ethic that percolates throughout the organization. A leader spreads joy “by being the best example you can be to everyone else.” 

The commitment to organizational passion extends to collaboration with outside suppliers and vendors. At White Labs, a specialist in liquid yeast and fermentation, Small invites supply chain representatives to come onsite and spend several hours touring the facility. In the process, she creates stronger relationships with freight providers like UPS, FedEx and DHL. They gain intimate knowledge of the customer’s requirements, including what it ships, its use of packaging, and preference for delivery times.

Zoom meetings have their place, and were essential during the lockdown months of the COVID-19 pandemic. But reliance on computer screens “doesn’t replace human contact — being in the same room together,” Small says.” Collaboration happens more when it’s one-on-one.”

Corporations, of course, can’t impose “joy” on the workforce. Ultimately, “It has to come from within,” Small says, with leaders encouraging team members to collaborate on working through problems together.