Meet Joy Wagner

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joy Wagner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Joy, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My journey has been shaped by a series of profound personal and professional experiences, including bankruptcy, divorce, tragic loss, and the need to continuously reinvent myself. Through it all, I’ve learned that everything is temporary, and the only way forward is through perseverance. My strong faith keeps me grounded, enabling me to maintain a positive attitude and push through life’s challenges.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I currently serve as the HR Manager for Granger Waste Services and am pursuing an Executive Management MBA at MSU. My passion lies in inspiring and uplifting others. In HR, I see my role as a guide, dedicated to empowering and supporting employees in both their professional and personal growth. My goal is to introduce a holistic approach to wellness within the organization, fostering a culture that values well-being on every level.

Outside of work, I lead group cycling classes, helping others on their wellness journey. My aspiration is to have a meaningful voice in decision-making, driving positive change and supporting others through life’s challenges. Ultimately, I dream of owning my own fitness studio and becoming an inspirational speaker, using my experiences to make a lasting impact on people’s lives.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Humility, Self- Awareness, and Empathy.
Humility – To cultivate humility, it’s essential to seek feedback regularly by asking colleagues, friends, or mentors for constructive insights and accepting them with an open mind. This feedback should be used as a tool for growth, approached without defensiveness. Additionally, acknowledging your limitations and mistakes is crucial—recognizing that you don’t have all the answers and that learning is an ongoing process. Practicing gratitude plays a vital role in humility as well; by regularly reflecting on the contributions of others in your life and expressing thanks for their support, you shift your focus from self-importance to appreciation of others. Finally, serving others without seeking recognition, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply offering support, reinforces a humble mindset by placing the needs of others above your own.

Self- Awareness -To enhance self-awareness, it’s important to spend time each day reflecting on your actions, thoughts, and emotions. Journaling can be a powerful tool in this process, allowing you to identify patterns and areas for growth. Incorporating mindfulness or meditation practices can further increase your awareness of the present moment, helping you become more attuned to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Additionally, understanding your triggers—those situations or people that provoke strong emotional responses—enables you to manage your reactions more effectively. Setting clear personal development goals related to your behavior, attitudes, or skills is also essential. By regularly reviewing your progress toward these goals, you can continuously refine your self-awareness and personal growth.

Empathy- To cultivate empathy, start by practicing active listening, where you focus entirely on what the other person is saying without interrupting or planning your response. This helps you truly understand their perspective. Additionally, make a conscious effort to put yourself in others’ shoes, imagining how they might be feeling in a given situation. This deepens your understanding of their emotions and motivations. Asking open-ended questions can further encourage others to share their thoughts and feelings, demonstrating that you value their perspective and genuinely want to understand them better. Lastly, showing compassion by responding to others’ needs and feelings with kindness and understanding is crucial. Offering support to those who are struggling and being patient with those who may be difficult helps to build stronger, more empathetic connections.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

Providing education for me