“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work,” Aristotle once said (trans. 1999). If the engine is fueled with joy and purpose, the ride feels smoother, faster, and more rewarding. But when joy is missing, it’s like running on low-quality fuel; the car sputters, struggles uphill, and breaks down more often. Leaders act as both mechanics and drivers: their attitudes determine whether the workplace engine runs clean or stalls out. A leader who shows optimism and purpose fills the tank with motivation, while one who leads with negativity leaves everyone running on fumes. In both life and work, joy isn’t just a luxury; it’s the fuel that makes excellence possible.
The Role of Joy in Work
Joy is not a superficial add-on to work; it’s the fuel that powers excellence. When we find pleasure in what we’re doing, the quality naturally improves. A mechanic who loves his craft doesn’t just fix cars; he restores trust in every customer he serves. A teacher who delights in her subject doesn’t just pass on information; she sparks curiosity that lasts a lifetime.
When joy is present, people:
- Approach challenges with creativity instead of dread.
- Persevere when the road gets bumpy.
- Build connections with others that make the journey worthwhile.
Aristotle’s wisdom reminds us that perfection doesn’t come from pressure alone; it comes from finding meaning and satisfaction in the work itself (Aristotle, trans. 1999). Just as a car performs best when it’s well-maintained, people perform best when their work is fueled by genuine enjoyment.
Leadership as the Engine’s Driver
Leaders have an enormous impact on whether teams run smoothly or sputter out. Their attitudes set the tone like a driver’s handling sets the course.
- A leader who constantly criticizes without encouragement is like a driver who slams the brakes at every turn; everyone feels jerked around and on edge.
- A leader who balances expectations with optimism is like a driver who keeps a steady hand on the wheel; instilling trust, stability, and confidence.
Attitudes are contagious. A leader who shows up with purpose and positivity provides the premium fuel that keeps people moving forward. Conversely, negativity or indifference acts like grit in the gas tank, slowly grinding down performance.
Purpose: The Compass for the Journey
While joy is the fuel, purpose is the compass. Without direction, even the best car can circle aimlessly. That’s where the Dalai Lama’s words offer clarity: “The prime purpose in this life is to help others and not hurt them (2001).“
In the workplace, this means shifting perspective from What can I get out of this job? to How does my work serve others? A nurse doesn’t just administer medicine; she comforts the sick. A software developer doesn’t just write code; he builds tools that make life easier for others. Even in roles that seem small, the purpose lies in helping rather than harming.
Thomas S. Monson captured this truth when he said, “As you help another person to the top of a hill, you find yourself as well (1994).” Purpose is not only about serving others; it’s also about growth. Just as a car climbs a hill with more strength when the gears are working together, people rise higher themselves when they commit to lifting others.
When people see their work as service, the road becomes clearer. Each mile traveled carries meaning, and every task, no matter how routine, contributes to a larger journey.
The Road to Perfection
Aristotle, the Dalai Lama, and Monson may have lived in very different times, but their wisdom converges here: pleasure and purpose are not luxuries in life or work; they are necessities. Leaders who understand this don’t just manage tasks; they create environments where people are fueled with joy and steered by purpose.
Excellence, then, is not forced. It’s the natural result of people who are happy in their work and confident that their journey helps others. The workplace becomes less like a grinding commute and more like a purposeful road trip, filled with progress, meaning, and even a little joy along the way.
Final Thought for Leaders and Teams
Ask yourself, what kind of fuel are you running on? Are you filling on? Are you filling your tank with joy and purpose, or sputtering on empty? Because in work, just as on the road, the ride is always better when the tank is full and the destination matters.
References
Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean Ethics (W. D. Ross, Trans.). Batch Books. (Original work published ca. 350 B.C.E.)
Dalai Lama. (2001). Ethics for the New Millennium. Riverhead Books.
Monson, T.S. (2009, January). Great Expectations. BYU Speeches. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/thomas-s-monson/great-expectations-2/
Image Credits
ChatGPT. (2025). Artistic Painting of a Craftsman Perfecting His Work [Digital Image]. OpenAI.
ChatGPT. (2025). Motivational Illustration of a Vehicle Symbolizing Joy and Purpose Driving Perfection in Work [Digital Image]. OpenAI.