3 Key Lessons From Menlo Innovations On Building A World-Class Culture 

In October, members of the Stakeholder Business Society participated in a CEO Member Retreat to visit Menlo Innovations in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This unique event offered an immersive experience with Menlo’s renowned culture of joy-centered work and leadership under founder and CEO Richard Sheridan. For CEOs invested in building impactful, sustainable organizations, Menlo’s example provided invaluable insights into what it takes to foster a high-energy, purpose-driven workplace. 

The retreat reinforced the idea that, as Sheridan puts it, “One of the most squandered resources on the face of the planet is human energy. So, how do you keep human energy high?” In exploring the “tangible value of business joy,” our group took away powerful lessons applicable to any organization striving to become a “company of consequence.”

Menlo Innovations: A Model of Joy-Centered Work and Leadership

Founded on a mission to “end human suffering as it relates to technology,” Menlo Innovations is a custom software design and development firm that prioritizes empathy, joy, and human-centered values in everything they do. From their collaborative paired programming and High-Tech Anthropology® methodologies to their commitment to transparency and open communication, Menlo serves as a model for businesses seeking to make joy a core aspect of their culture.

For CEOs, Menlo’s approach offers an inspiring reminder that the workplace can—and should—be more than a means to an end. Sheridan’s philosophy, outlined in his book Chief Joy Officer, teaches that joy is not just an abstract ideal but a practical strategy that increases engagement, productivity, and long-term success. Sheridan’s vision aligns seamlessly with the mission of Stakeholder Business, emphasizing joy as a competitive advantage and a driver of sustainable impact. 

Key Lessons from the Menlo Innovations Visit

Our visit to Menlo revealed three key practices that form the foundation of the company’s joyful and energetic workplace. Sheridan and his team shared these insights, which offer a practical blueprint for CEOs committed to fostering similar values within their organizations.

• Articulate Your Cultural Intentions 

One of the defining characteristics of Menlo is the intentionality with which it has established and communicated its cultural values. As Sheridan explained, “There’s no magic here; there’s intentionality.” Every corner of Menlo’s office reflects this intentionality, from infographics about their purpose to motivational quotes like, “It’s okay to say ‘I don’t know.’” These visual cues serve as constant reminders of Menlo’s mission and values, creating a cohesive and vibrant environment that encourages employees to bring their best selves to work.

For CEOs, this emphasis on clarity and storytelling is a powerful reminder: a strong company culture doesn’t happen by accident. Leaders need to articulate their cultural intentions consistently, using stories and symbols to reinforce the organization’s values. As Sheridan highlighted, a leader’s role is to be a “storyteller who uses stories to articulate company culture,” setting the tone for the entire organization.

• Embrace Failure 

At Menlo, one of the guiding principles is, “Run the experiment!” Rather than punishing mistakes, Menlo encourages employees to “Be wrong as quickly as possible.” This approach supports a culture of learning and innovation, where small, quick mistakes prevent larger, more costly errors down the road. By fostering an environment where experimentation is accepted and encouraged, Menlo enables its team to take calculated risks and continuously improve.

The takeaway for our CEOs was clear: embracing failure is essential to innovation. By creating a space where employees feel safe to experiment and learn, leaders can cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. Sheridan’s philosophy reminds us that when employees are not afraid of making mistakes, they’re more likely to offer creative solutions and contribute to an environment of high energy and growth.

• Make It Fun

Walking into Menlo, it’s immediately clear that this is no ordinary corporate office. The atmosphere is lively and filled with conversation, dartboards kick-off meetings, and Viking helmets sit on shelves as playful reminders that work doesn’t have to be overly serious. Sheridan shared with us that “One of the best ways to get through bureaucracy as quickly as possible is to try to make it fun,” adding that he even measures “laughs per hour” as one of his key performance indicators.

This approach resonates with the Stakeholder Business mission of fostering impactful leadership and healthy workplaces. For CEOs, the lesson is that an upbeat, playful work environment not only enhances employee morale but can also improve efficiency and productivity. By prioritizing joy, CEOs can help their organizations navigate challenges with resilience, making serious work more enjoyable and sustainable for everyone involved.

Applying Menlo’s Lessons

Our visit to Menlo Innovations highlighted how joy-centered leadership can elevate human energy and create sustainably impactful organizations. Richard Sheridan’s philosophy and practices at Menlo, as outlined in Chief Joy Officer, offer a powerful model for CEOs looking to cultivate a high-energy, engaged culture. Through intentional leadership, openness to experimentation, and an emphasis on play, Menlo demonstrates how organizations can build resilient and innovative environments that inspire employees to contribute their best.

For CEOs in the Stakeholder Business Society, this retreat reinforced our mission to support leaders in building “companies of consequence.” Learning from Menlo’s example, our members are equipped to apply these insights in their own companies, creating workplaces that are purpose-driven and productive. As they embrace intentionality, foster a culture of safe experimentation, and elevate the everyday work experience, they help set a new standard for what business can achieve.

Incorporating joy into the workplace goes beyond boosting morale—it’s a powerful tool for driving sustainable growth and resilience. Our experience at Menlo reaffirms that joy and human energy are not just ideals, but essential components of impactful and enduring success.

Looking Ahead: Elevating Human Energy Through 2025 Events

In 2025, Stakeholder Business Society will offer CEOs transformative experiences designed to elevate human energy, foster purpose-driven culture, and drive sustainable growth. Each event provides unique insights into joy-centered leadership, stakeholder alignment, and impactful growth strategies.

Upcoming  Virtual Masterclasses

• Sustainable Food Systems
  Tom McDougall of 4P Foods discusses building equitable food networks that prioritize people, planet, and purpose alongside profit.
• People-First Leadership
  Erin Wade, author of The Mac & Cheese Millionaire, provides strategies for creating safe, empowering workplaces rooted in people-first values.
• Redefining Success
  Meghan French Dunbar reimagines success for leaders, introducing a framework focused on five elements of human flourishing.
• Ethical Supply Chains
  BIGGBY Coffee’s Bob and Michelle Fish highlight how transparent, ethical supply chains in global coffee create meaningful business value.

Immersive Member Retreats

• Torani: Culture-Driven Growth
  At Torani’s Spring Retreat, members learn how people-first culture drives engagement and innovation.
• Regenerative Agriculture Tour
  A hands-on Virginia farm tour with 4P Foods, offering a deep dive into resilient food systems and fair supply chains.
• Conscious Leadership in Maine
  This Fall retreat focuses on personal and professional transformation, helping leaders align their values with the Five Advantages framework.

These events equip CEOs with tools to energize teams and drive purpose-led growth, reinforcing Stakeholder Business Society’s mission to cultivate impactful leadership. 

To learn more about membership in the Stakeholder Business Society, its community of purpose-driven leaders, and access to these transformative experiences, visit us at StakeholderBusiness.com.