It Starts with Joy: Redefining Leadership Success with Sheryl Raphael Whitaker

In this inspiring episode of Promoted with Denise Harris, I sat down with Sheryl Raphael Whitaker, Founder & CEO of EdenAnthony Elite Talent Solutions and author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller It Starts with Joy: The Inner Shift that Changes Everything. Sheryl is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and former head of enterprise learning and talent development for over 37,000 employees at USAA. Her groundbreaking JoyShift™ method and leadership philosophy—Joy is my COO™—invite leaders to see joy not as a soft emotion, but as a powerful strategic tool for driving clarity, authenticity, and performance.

Our conversation explored what it means to lead from joy in today’s high-pressure workplaces. Sheryl shared her belief that joy is not a distraction from productivity, but rather the differentiator that helps leaders thrive and inspire others. She discussed how self-awareness, intentionality, and courage are key to cultivating what she calls “intentional joy,” especially in cultures that feel stressful or disconnected. By leading from joy, she explained, leaders build environments of trust, psychological safety, and creativity—where innovation and engagement naturally follow.

As we wrapped up, Sheryl shared her take on what makes a person promotable: fearlessness, creativity, and a genuine love for people. She reminded listeners that saying “no” can often be a powerful “yes” to yourself—and that leadership rooted in joy isn’t about constant happiness, but about resilience, connection, and purpose. This heart-centered conversation was a beautiful reminder that joy is not only personal—it’s a leadership advantage that transforms how we show up, how we serve, and how we rise.