Today’s guest is a big deal. He’s the CEO of software company Menlo Innovations and the author of two highly recommended books—Joy Inc., and Chief Joy Officer, and he joins us today to share some of the incredible insights he has gained during his impressive career. From his definition of joy at work and how he has built a very unique professional environment and culture at Menlo to the unusual interview experience at Menlo, our conversation is expansive and detailed, giving you the tools you need to adopt some of the same principles in your own leadership journey. Richard shares how he has cultivated an environment where feedback is welcomed, why he has chosen a transparent remuneration structure at Menlo, how he has set this up, and much more. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with today’s deeply intentional and revolutionary guest. Thanks for tuning in!
Guest Bio:
Rich Sheridan is on a mission to end human suffering in technology. As CEO and Co-Founder of Menlo Innovations, he built a workplace driven by collaboration, experimentation, and joy.

Once a fear-driven leader who micromanaged every detail, he discovered that joy at work isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. With a background in software and engineering (U-M BS '80, MS '82), his true passion is process, teamwork, and organizational design.

Through his books, Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer, Sheridan shares Menlo’s story to help others create intentional cultures of joy. Because when joy leads, success follows.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [00:00] Welcome and introduction to this episode and a catch up with your hosts.
• [06:40] Richard Sheridan from Menlo Innovations.
• [10:31] What Menlo Innovations does.
• [15:05] Richard’s definition of bringing joy into work and how he measures it.
• [24:59] Why the work environment that he has built at Menlo would not be suited to everyone.
• [28:24] How Menlo approaches interviews differently.
• [34:47] The rewarding, promotion, and progress process at Menlo.
• [42:25] A story of how Richard realized that Menlo has excellent gender equity.
• [47:07] Navigating hesitation around salary transparency.
• [54:20] Why Richard is not transparent about his own compensation.
• [47:07] Managing the feedback process and making it easy for others to communicate how they feel.
• [01:03:58] How to book a tour at Menlo.

Quotes:

“We launched Menlo in June of 2001 with a crazy mission: we wanted to end human suffering in the world as it relates to technology. We’ve been doing that now for almost 24 years. It worked!” — @menloprez [0:09:33]

“I don’t think unjoyful people can make joyful results.” — @menloprez [0:16:44]

“We have an interview process where we’re actually trying to weed you in, not weed you out.” — @menloprez [0:31:06]

“Humans are incredibly adaptable when they are given clear expectations.” — @menloprez [0:33:21]

RESOURCES:

• [01:03:58]Menlo Innovations Tours and Workshops

FOLLOW:

Follow Richard Sheridan:

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• Menlo Innovations
• Joy, Inc.
• Chief Joy Officer
  

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Follow Mike McFall:

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Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:

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ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:

At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.

Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.

Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.

Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.