The Happiness Blueprint: What a World Series Organization Knows About Joy

At SHRM 2026, some of the most powerful HR leaders in the world took the stage for a panel called “HR Executive Insights: Architecting the Future of the Global Frontline Workforce.” The conversation was extraordinary — a masterclass in how the world’s most forward-thinking organizations are rethinking work itself.

But it’s what happened after the panel that became the seed of this series.

I approached Dr. DeRetta Cole Rhodes — Executive Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer of the Atlanta Braves — and asked her one simple question:

“What is happiness in leadership?”

Her answer wasn’t a corporate platitude. It was a philosophy. And it’s backed by decades of science most leaders have never read.

What DeRetta Said

“It’s all about the fact that we’re trying to ensure people are enjoying what they’re doing. So happiness becomes a cornerstone of everything. How do you deal with fans? How do you deal with the community? But how do you deal with it internally — and how it can come out for you, so people can see it and understand it. We talk about happiness, but we really want to think about how joy and happiness are ensuring that people are enjoying themselves — and it’s a part of wellness and mindfulness.”

Read that again slowly.

She didn’t start with the customer. She didn’t start with the brand. She started inside the building. Internal joy first; then it radiates outward so that fans, community, and the world can see it and feel it.

This is not accidental. This is architectured happiness from one of the most accomplished Chief People Officers in professional sports.

Who Is DeRetta Cole Rhodes?

Before we unpack the science behind her words, you need to understand who’s saying them.