Joy at Work Isn’t Fake Smiles—It’s Leading With Love with Gretchen Schott Artwork

Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney

Let's face it, life is uncomfortable. Whether it's interacting with other humans (or trying to), going after our goals and improving our lives, or understanding other people's perspectives, preferences and proclivities, being able to face the discomforts in life with courage, compassion, confidence and resilience will make life a lot more enjoyable! So join me as we DANCE IN THE DISCOMFORT ZONE! We'll explore new ideas, learn how to build our confidence, courage and resilience, and laugh a little too, because life is serious enough. We need a little cha cha, and a little ha ha every once in a while! Welcome to the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney!

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Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney

Joy at Work Isn’t Fake Smiles—It’s Leading With Love with Gretchen Schott

September 22, 2025 • Anne Bonney • Season 16 • Episode 354

What happens when life throws you the hardest challenge—and you choose to turn grief into growth? In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Gretchen Schott, (https://www.gretchenschott.com/) speaker, author, and leadership powerhouse, to talk about her new book Joy at Work When Women Lead and what it really means to bring authentic joy to the workplace.

Spoiler: joy at work isn’t about plastering on a grin. It’s about clarity, self-awareness, and leading with love; a blend of humility, courage, and being lovingly direct when it counts most.

Gretchen shares her deeply personal journey, how she reframed heartbreak into purpose, and the practical tools leaders can use to build stronger, more joyful workplaces.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

How “cleaning the windshield” helps you banish overwhelm and get clarity
Why the content you consume matters, and how to find true contentment
Practical steps to protect your mental well-being and shift from burnout to joy
Why tolerating a toxic workplace is a choice, and how to know when it’s time to move on

Whether you’re leading a team, searching for more fulfillment at work, or just craving more joy in your day-to-day, this episode is full of wisdom, heart, and actionable takeaways.

🎧 Tune in now and find your spark of joy. Want more from Gretchen? Here are the links.

https://www.gretchenschott.com/

https://www.instagram.com/leadingwell_inspirations/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschott/

Gretchen Schott is a growth strategist, executive coach, and keynote speaker who equips leaders to lead with confidence, build trust, and create meaningful impact. As Founder of Leading Well and Chief Learning Officer at Threefold, she delivers transformative coaching, workshops, and leadership development. With over 30 years of experience across industries, she helps individuals and organizations cultivate purposeful, values-driven leadership rooted in joy, accountability, and love.