How ML3 Uses Happy to Empower Leaders

Building effective teams is one of the most significant challenges facing organizations today. It's not just about productivity or meeting goals—it's about nurturing meaningful relationships that allow individuals and teams to thrive.

In the most recent episode of How I Use Happy, Christine Passo sits down with Mike Mitchell, President and CEO of ML3 Leadership, to explore how ML3 has transformed their leadership training and team dynamics by integrating Happy into their operations and client services. The conversation provides powerful insights into how organizations can use Happy to improve collaboration, engagement, and sustainable growth.

Leadership as a Life Skill

Mike Mitchell's perspective on leadership is refreshingly holistic. At ML3 Leadership, leadership isn't confined to titles or positions of authority. "Leadership is not a business skill; it's a life skill," Mike explains. Leadership is about influencing others positively in the workplace, within families, or in communities. ML3's 14-week leadership development program embodies this philosophy, equipping participants with practical tools to develop their ability to inspire and connect with others, regardless of their role.

This broad definition of leadership underscores the universality of tools like Happy. Just as ML3 helps leaders build relationships and adapt to diverse needs, Happy provides a behavioral science-based platform that enhances these efforts. By understanding workstyles and leveraging personalized coaching, Happy bridges the gap between intention and action, making leadership principles actionable in real-time.

From One-Time Assessments to Continuous Development

Before adopting Happy, ML3 relied on traditional assessment tools to understand team dynamics and support coaching sessions. While these tools provided valuable insights, their impact often faded over time. As Mike recalled, "Six months after a debrief, we'd ask clients how they were applying the information. The answer was they hadn't. They'd forgotten everything since we walked out the door."

Happy transformed this process with its Happy DISC Assessment, turning a one-time evaluation into an ongoing development journey. Unlike traditional assessments that deliver a static report, Happy offers an expansive platform designed to foster continuous growth, collaboration, and self-awareness long after the initial assessment is complete.

It begins with uncovering each user’s unique Happy Workstyle, which is key to developing self-awareness—understanding natural tendencies, communication preferences, and approaches to challenges. But Happy doesn’t stop there. Users not only gain personal insights but also learn how to collaborate more effectively with their teams.

While most assessments are, as Mike describes, "one-sided," focusing solely on the individual, Happy emphasizes building better relationships between people. The platform bridges the gap between self-awareness and collaboration, helping users turn insights into action and cultivate stronger, more connected teams. Weekly coaching emails and real-time guidance ensure these concepts are consistently reinforced, moving them from theory to practice. The platform’s accessibility allows teams to tap into its benefits over time.

This sustained impact—what ML3 calls "stickiness"—has significantly enhanced both their internal operations and client services. By integrating Happy into their leadership development programs, ML3 has created a ripple effect, extending the benefits of Happy beyond their own team to their clients’ organizations.

Leading with Care: The Foundation of Trust

A core leadership principle at ML3 is that "leaders are lovers." While Mike acknowledges this phrase might surprise some in traditional corporate environments, it speaks to the heart of people-first leadership. At ML3, leadership is about more than directing others—it's about genuinely caring for them and building meaningful relationships. Effective leaders don't expect their team members to adapt to their style; instead, they take the initiative to understand and connect with their team where they are.

Happy's platform reflects this approach by equipping leaders with tools to better understand their team members' unique workstyles and communication preferences. This goes beyond improving performance metrics—it's about fostering trust and connection. Mike emphasized, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Practical Applications of Happy at ML3

At ML3, Happy is more than just a tool—it's woven into daily practices that enhance both internal team dynamics and client interactions:

• Tailored Communication: Happy provides actionable tips for crafting emails and preparing for meetings, helping to ensure that communication is both personalized and effective. By considering the recipient's unique workstyle, team members can avoid misunderstandings and build stronger connections.
• Pre-Meeting Preparation: ML3's facilitators use Happy to prepare for one-on-one coaching sessions. This intentional preparation allows them to tailor their approach, leading to more impactful and meaningful interactions.
• Sustaining Behavioral Change: ML3's leadership program prioritizes long-term development over quick fixes. Happy supports this approach by reinforcing key lessons over time, helping participants integrate new behaviors into their everyday routines, and making sustainable growth achievable.

Actionable Takeaways for Other Teams

The way ML3 uses Happy offers valuable lessons for any organization seeking to improve teamwork and leadership. Here are three actionable steps to integrate Happy into your workplace:

• Embrace Continuous Learning: Use Happy's weekly coaching tips to keep leadership principles at the forefront of your mind. This consistent reinforcement helps prevent valuable details from fading over time.
• Focus on Relationships: Leverage the Happy Insights comparison feature to deepen understanding between team members. Understanding each other's workstyles fosters empathy and collaboration.
• Prepare with Purpose: Before meetings or important conversations, review the Happy Workstyle reports to remember the specific needs of the person you are meeting with. Tailoring your approach to others' preferences can transform routine interactions into meaningful connections.

The Ripple Effect of Happy

One of the most inspiring aspects of ML3's story is how they've extended the benefits of Happy beyond their own team. By integrating Happy into their leadership programs, ML3 equips clients with tools to enhance workplace relationships. This creates a ripple effect, spreading the principles of empathy, adaptability, and collaboration across multiple organizations.

Mike discussed the potential impact on their clients, sharing, "Knowing the impact that that's having on us, who are already good practitioners of these principles, ... we just really sense it is going to be huge."

Building a Happier Future of Leadership

ML3's partnership with Happy highlights the transformative power of understanding and adapting to diverse workstyles. By fostering trust, improving communication, and sustaining behavioral change, Happy enables teams to thrive in ways that go far beyond productivity metrics.

Whether you're a team leader, an individual contributor, or an executive, the lessons from ML3's journey are clear: investing in tools like Happy isn't just about improving processes—it's about building stronger relationships and creating a culture where everyone can succeed.

Visit Happy to explore how Happy can transform your team. Let's build workplaces where connection, collaboration, and care take center stage.