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    Joy, Inc. by Rich Sheridan Summary

    Joy, Inc.
    Rich Sheridan
    4.07 (1775 Reviews)
    Corp CultureLeadershipEntrepreneurship
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    Overview of Joy, Inc.

    In "Joy, Inc.," Rich Sheridan reveals how eliminating meetings, sharing salaries openly, and welcoming dogs and babies transformed Menlo Innovations into an award-winning workplace. What if the secret to productivity isn't more pressure, but more joy?

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    Best quote from Joy, Inc.

    “

    The part of him that loved his work was dying.

    ”
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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    Key Takeaways

    1

    What If Work Could Actually Bring Joy?

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    A delivery person walks into a basement office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and stops mid-stride. The space hums with conversation, laughter, and visible energy. No cubicles. No private offices. Just pairs of people huddled at simple aluminum tables, working together at single computers. "I don't know what you do here," the delivery person says, "but whatever it is, I want to work here." This isn't a tech startup riding a funding wave-it's Menlo Innovations, named "The Most Joyful Company in America" by Inc. magazine. Each year, thousands of visitors from Disney, Nike, and USAA make pilgrimages to witness something most consider impossible: a workplace where people genuinely love coming to work. In a world where 70% of workers report feeling disengaged, Menlo offers something radical-proof that joy isn't just possible, it's profitable. At thirteen, Rich Sheridan typed two lines of code that made a computer respond "HI RICH." That magical moment sparked a lifelong passion for programming. By high school, he was creating fantasy baseball games and leading teams. The early days felt intoxicating-filled with energy, camaraderie, and the thrill of creation. Yet by mid-career, despite climbing to vice president with stock options worth millions, Sheridan wanted out. Behind the facade of success lay exhaustion: endless nights away from family, impossible-to-schedule vacations, troubled projects, and constant customer complaints. He'd spend mornings taking long drives to arrive at work as late as possible, then waste half his day playing FreeCell with his screen turned away from the door. The part of him that loved his work was dying.

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    Your Turn to Light the Way