“I’ll be happy when…” How many times have you caught yourself saying those words? When the big deal closes, when you finally take that vacation, when you get through this challenging quarter?

The truth is happiness isn’t a prize waiting at the finish line. It’s something you can generate right now, even in the middle of chaos and unpredictability.

Gayle Lantz explores why chasing happiness is a dangerous trap for leaders and shares practical ways to experience joy without changing your circumstances. Inspired by her recent trip to see the Broadway musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” she draws powerful parallels between the story’s main characters (robots who discover they can generate their happiness), and  lessons leaders can learn about cultivating authentic joy.

As Gayle explains, “If the journey itself isn’t making you happy, the destination may not either.”

She believes there’s a strong correlation between happiness and effective leadership. Happy leaders set positive tones, build stronger connections, and fuel resilience during tough times—but it has to be genuine, not manufactured.

Using the metaphor of fireflies whose light flickers naturally and authentically, Gayle reframes happiness as something that can be tapped into and shared with others, creating a ripple effect throughout your organization.

This episode covers: 

• Why happiness and leadership effectiveness are connected 
• The danger of conditional happiness (“I’ll be happy when…”) 
• Two conscious choices that can shift your emotional state 
• How to generate authentic happiness rather than chase it externally 
• The firefly approach to leadership—natural, flickering light that sparks something in others 
• A simple challenge to discover your inner spark this week

Whether you’re feeling stuck in robot-like routines or questioning your own fire and motivation, this episode offers a fresh perspective on finding joy in the journey while still pursuing meaningful goals.

LINKS:

Previous Episodes:

Keep It Simple: Why Less is More in Leadership (#267)

Below the Surface: What Leaders Aren’t Seeing, But Should Be (#266)