Freudenfreude Worksheet
Freudenfreude is the opposite of Schadenfreude. It means that you find pleasure in watching someone else succeed.
Arguably, the dinner party discussion about favorite tv shows and movies was a glimpse at Freudenfreude in action. People were genuinely excited at the idea of seeing others enjoying what they enjoy.
This Freudenfreude concept is something I think we can all get behind.
As a leader, there are opportunities to create Freudenfreude moments at work. You don’t have to spend the day watching TV shows; you can simply:
- teach someone a skill and then watch them employ it
- challenge a team member to step up and watch them soar
- give somebody a chance to lead and experience the thrill of their success
This week’s tool and video encourage you to think about times when you found fulfillment in Freudenfreude and to identify how to make a similar moment happen in the present. I invite you to list a past situation where you taught, challenged, or provided an opportunity to someone. Then, reflect on how they responded, what they accomplished, and how it made you feel. But, don’t stop there. The tool also encourages you to identify a present opportunity for you to do a similar thing.
Find Fulfillment in Freudenfreude
Patrick Leddin, PhD is a speaker, global leadership consultant, and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge. Patrick is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University with a thriving leadership blog and podcast, and 25-years of leadership experience. He offers an unparalleled mix of academic rigor and real-world experience.