The Glimmer Effect: How Leaders Illuminate Engagement, Flow, and Productivity

Modern leadership often focuses on solving problems, mitigating risks, and driving results. But amid the noise of deadlines and demands, leaders sometimes overlook the power of small, joyful moments—those fleeting sparks of peace, gratitude, or happiness known as glimmers.

Unlike triggers, which pull us into stress and negativity, glimmers draw us into a state of calm, connection, and clarity. These moments, while brief, hold the potential to reshape workplace culture, unlock creativity, and amplify productivity. For leaders, seeking out glimmers—for themselves and their teams—becomes an essential strategy for creating a thriving work environment.

In this article we will discuss the types of glimmers and how, we as leaders can lean in when we experience them.

The Engineer Who Transformed a Monday

Claire, a project manager at an engineering firm, noticed something troubling: her Monday meetings were a minefield of frustration. Team members were disengaged, short-tempered, and eager to retreat into their tasks. One morning, as she set up for the meeting, Claire overheard two colleagues laughing about their weekend attempts at baking bread.

“Show us the photos!” she blurted out, surprising even herself.

What followed was a spontaneous exchange of flour-dusted disasters and proudly golden loaves. For five minutes, the tension evaporated, replaced by laughter and shared humanity. When the meeting began, Claire noticed something remarkable: the team was more open, collaborative, and focused.

That small moment—a glimmer—had set the tone for the entire day.

Inspired, Claire started deliberately opening meetings with lighthearted questions about weekend wins or small joys. These moments didn’t delay progress; they accelerated it. The team’s energy and camaraderie grew, sparking a ripple effect on their projects.

The Shop Floor Discovery

At a manufacturing plant, a team leader named Luis faced a morale issue. His workers were efficient but disconnected, operating like cogs in a machine. One day, as he walked the floor, Luis noticed one of his employees meticulously arranging tools into a perfectly symmetrical pattern.

“That’s impressive,” he said. “Do you do that every day?”

The worker grinned. “Yeah, it’s my little art project—it makes my station feel like my own.”

That small conversation sparked an idea. Luis began encouraging employees to personalize their workspaces and share their ideas for making the plant more engaging. The result was a culture shift. Workers started to take pride not only in their productivity but in their creativity, and the plant’s output improved alongside employee satisfaction.

By noticing and nurturing that glimmer of individuality, Luis unlocked his team’s potential in a way spreadsheets and efficiency metrics never could.

The Teacher Turned CEO

Amara, a former educator turned CEO of a nonprofit, often felt overwhelmed by the pressures of leadership. She missed the small joys she’d experienced as a teacher—like watching a student’s face light up when they grasped a new concept.

One day, after a particularly challenging board meeting, she took a walk through her organization’s headquarters. As she passed the break room, she noticed a group of employees celebrating a teammate’s birthday with cupcakes and laughter.

For a moment, Amara stood quietly, soaking in the scene. It struck her that these spontaneous glimmers of joy were just as vital to her team’s success as the strategic plans she spent hours refining. From that day forward, Amara made it her mission to create more opportunities for connection, celebration, and recognition within her organization.

She started hosting monthly “Wins & Whims” sessions, where team members shared professional achievements alongside quirky personal updates. Productivity soared as employees felt more connected to one another—and to their purpose.

The Science Behind Glimmers

Glimmers may seem insignificant, but neuroscience tells a different story. These moments of joy and connection release dopamine, enhancing motivation and focus. They also engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress and fosters emotional resilience.

For leaders, seeking out glimmers isn’t just about creating a pleasant atmosphere—it’s about priming the brain for flow and optimizing team performance. By noticing and amplifying these moments, leaders can shift their organizations from transactional to transformational.

How Leaders Can Spark Glimmers

1. Pay Attention: Glimmers are everywhere if you look for them. Notice a team member’s enthusiasm during a presentation, a lighthearted exchange between colleagues, or the pride in someone’s voice when they share a solution.

2. Create Opportunities: Build moments of connection into the workday—like starting meetings with gratitude or celebrating small wins. These don’t need to be elaborate; they just need to be intentional.

3. Model the Mindset: Leaders set the tone. By sharing their own glimmers—whether it’s a moment of gratitude, a personal success, or even a funny mishap—they encourage others to do the same.

4. Recognize and Amplify: When you see a glimmer in someone else, call it out. Celebrate their effort, creativity, or kindness, and watch how it inspires others.

The Glimmer Legacy

Leadership isn’t about eliminating challenges—it’s about navigating them with grace. Glimmers are the antidote to burnout, disengagement, and disconnection. They remind us of what’s possible when we lean into joy, even in the midst of pressure.

As a leader, you have the power to light the path for your team, turning fleeting moments into lasting momentum. Seek the glimmers. Share them. And watch as they transform your workplace into a space of energy, flow, and purpose.

The question isn’t whether glimmers exist in your workday. They do. The real question is: will you notice them?