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.

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.

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."

, 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 

, 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 

. 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.

 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."

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

: 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.

: 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.

: 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.

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:

 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.

 to deepen understanding between team members. Understanding each other's workstyles fosters empathy and collaboration.

 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.

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."

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.

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

ML3 Leadership’s CEO Mike Mitchell discusses how they use Happy in their mission to grow and empower leaders.

How ML3 Uses Happy to Empower Leaders

, success hinges on more than just delivering cutting-edge IT, security, and compliance solutions. Keeping pace with evolving challenges requires more than technical expertise to stay ahead—it requires strong team dynamics, effective communication, and a culture that fosters collaboration. Enter 

, a transformative tool that’s helping R3 improve workplace relationships, boost engagement, and create a thriving team environment.

In the inaugural episode of How I Use Happy, Happy Ambassador 

, R3’s Director of People Success. Hilary shares how Happy has become an essential part of the company’s toolbox, supporting their mission to enhance team communication and employee engagement. 

Here are the key takeaways from their conversation and top insights for teams looking to harness the power of Happy.

Building a Culture That Prioritizes People

Hilary begins by explaining her role at R3: ensuring that employees have an exceptional experience and feel supported in their roles. For her, success starts with bringing in great people who align with the company’s core values and creating an environment where they can excel and grow.

“Culture is definitely something that trickles down from the top,” Hilary says. “The most important piece is having someone at the helm driving the ship who believes that people are the primary force behind a company's success and understands that being able to 

invest in them is what will help in the long run

 aligns perfectly with Happy’s mission to enhance organizational culture by focusing on improving communication and relationships. At R3, Happy helps the team understand and adapt to diverse communication styles, enabling smoother collaboration and stronger connections among team members. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, Happy has become a key driver of R3’s workplace culture.

Enhancing Communication Across Diverse Workstyles

One of the standout features of Happy for R3 is its ability to 

. As a growing company, R3 constantly welcomes new employees, each bringing their unique communication preferences. This diversity, while a strength, can sometimes create friction if not managed effectively.

, allow team members to compare their communication styles with those of their colleagues. “It’s such a simple tool to say, ‘This is how you like to communicate, and this is how I like to communicate,’” Hilary shares. “It’s like having a little coach in your back pocket.”

Hilary recalls instances where these insights transformed her interactions. Learning about a colleague’s background or interests through their Happy Profile opened doors to deeper connections. In one case, a shared connection to Ohio helped her build rapport with a colleague she initially had some trouble connecting with. These tools make 

 and building trust seamless and intuitive.

Self-Awareness as the Foundation for Growth

Happy isn’t just a tool for understanding others; it’s also a powerful resource for self-reflection. After taking the 

Happy Assessment, which is modeled after the DISC framework

, Hilary discovered valuable insights about her own workstyle. As a Driver, she’s focused on achieving results and values direct, transparent communication. However, this approach isn’t always ideal for every situation.

“Happy has made me more aware of my own communication style,” Hilary says. She explained that it helped her pause and reflect before approaching conversations, ensuring that she was mindful of how others might perceive her tone or approach.

This heightened self-awareness has been transformative for Hilary, enabling her to adapt her communication style to meet the needs of her team. By fostering this kind of personal growth, Happy supports a culture where continuous improvement becomes second nature.

Hilary’s experience with Happy highlights how the platform goes beyond traditional workplace tools by addressing the human side of work. By providing insights into team members’ personalities and preferences, Happy helps R3 create stronger, more authentic relationships.

Hilary highlights how Happy has reshaped the way new employees are welcomed at R3. By 

uncovering unique details about team members

 that might not surface in an interview, the platform creates a foundation for authentic connections right from the start.

Christine adds, “Happy brings the personal to work, which we can’t avoid anymore.” By uncovering shared interests and building genuine connections, Happy helps teams build a foundation of trust and camaraderie from day one.

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

Hilary also highlights how Happy has helped her reframe potentially challenging interactions. She recalls moments where different communication styles initially created tension. With Happy’s insights, she’s been able to approach these situations with empathy and understanding, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for connection.

For Hilary, this has made all the difference in her role as a Director of People Success. By using Happy to better understand her team, she’s able to create a supportive environment where employees feel seen and valued. It’s a reminder that navigating workplace challenges with empathy can lead to stronger relationships and better outcomes.

Hilary’s experience with Happy underscores its versatility as a tool for enhancing workplace culture. Whether it’s improving communication, fostering personal connections, or driving self-awareness, Happy empowers teams to work better together.

For teams looking to replicate R3’s success, they should focus on understanding and adapting to diverse workstyles as a core strategy for fostering collaboration and cohesion. By 

, teams can uncover new ways to connect, communicate, and grow together, paving the way for a more unified and productive workplace.

As Hilary reflects on her journey with Happy, she emphasizes its potential beyond the workplace. “Communication is life,” she says. “It’s about developing authentic, strong relationships with everyone in our world.”

For those ready to transform their team dynamics, Happy offers a starting point for meaningful change. Whether you’re a leader or a team member, Happy provides the tools to improve communication, build trust, and create a workplace where everyone feels empowered and supported.

Hear from R3's Director of People Success, Hilary Reichler, on how Happy has become a game changer for their organization. 

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