WHEN PEOPLE LOVE TO WORK, YOU WIN

Too many leaders still think creating joy at work is naive. But research and experience say otherwise.

When people genuinely love their work, they don’t just show up — they go all in. That energy shows up in their performance, their pride, and how they treat customers. It creates a ripple effect that drives loyalty and growth.

Here are five steps for building a company people love to work for:

1. Share your vision. People want to know why the work matters and where they’re headed.
2. Empower ownership. Autonomy builds pride and engagement.
3. Prioritize growth. If people are growing, they’re staying.
4. Celebrate wins. The little acknowledgments go a long way.
5. Be honest about challenges. Transparency builds trust and long-term resilience.

Read more in Why Building a Company Where People Love to Work Pays Off.

These steps don’t make work easy — they make it meaningful. And when people care about what they’re building, customers feel it and they stick around.

What would your company look like if production enjoyment was part of the plan from day one?

PERSPECTIVES

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” — Aristotle

“To win the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.”
― Doug Conant

MARK MY WORDS

When I started Ninety, I wasn’t trying to build just another software company. I wanted to create a place where people genuinely love their work (or what I like to call, Work with a capital W). Not in a superficial way but in a way that fuels performance, loyalty, and growth.

That’s why production enjoyment is something I take seriously. When people care about what they’re building, it shows. It comes through in their ideas, their effort, and how they treat customers. It’s not about making work easy. It’s about making it meaningful.

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this can be. When team members take pride in their work, they stay longer, innovate more, and create a better experience for everyone involved. Our Core Values like “Get Smart Stuff Done” and “Extra Mile” are more than just statements. They help us attract Ideal Stakeholders who want to contribute to the company’s growth.

So ask yourself: Am I creating a company where people want to work?

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD

In case you missed it, here’s more from Founder’s Framework:

If the Creek Don't Rise and the Sun Still Sets

Uncertainty isn’t going anywhere, but that’s not a bad thing. In this recent article, I reflect on how founders can lead through volatility without losing their way. It’s a deeper look at how resilience and rituals help us build lasting companies.

[Read Now]