| Inspiring Workplaces |
ISSUE 949 - Nov. 30, 2022 |
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How Faking Happiness Can Make You Unhappy |
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There are times when the old saying "fake it 'til you make it" can be helpful, such as when you need to muster up your confidence before a big presentation or smile your way through your boss's really painful Dad joke.
When it comes to faking your happiness in stressful situations however, you might want to take note of a study by German researchers who measured the stress responses in people who were allowed to verbally defend themselves against rude customers vs. people who had to remain polite and friendly the entire time. The heart rate of the group that remained polite and friendly in the face of rude customers increased higher than the group that was allowed to
defend themselves and the increased heart rate lasted far longer. It turns out faking happiness can sometimes make us less happy!
Now, I'm not suggesting you fight fire with fire and respond to rude customers (or colleagues) in an unprofessional and equally rude manner (responding to aggressive customers is a whole other topic). However, this study is yet one more reminder that sometimes embracing a simplistic "turn that frown upside down" mindset can do more harm than good.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Today is official Stay Home Because You're Well Day! This reminded me of how Patagonia encourages employees to go surfing when it's a great surf day, or how another company gives employees one "snow day" off a year to go skiing when a big dump of snow hits the nearby slopes. I know for most of you this is unrealistic, but how about at least creating a "Bust Me
Out of the Office One Hour Early" card that employees could redeem three times a year? They could redeem their cards when it's just way too nice outside, when their cat is celebrating a milestone birthday, or when they just feel way too awesome to NOT share their awesomeness with the rest of the world.
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Quote of the Week |
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"Sometimes I use words I don’t understand
so I can be more photosynthesis!"
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Funny Business |
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Yes, that's December lurking on the next page of our calendars, so the December theme days and observances are up on the website, including:
December 2: Bartender Appreciation Day
December 8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
December 10: Gingerbread House Day
December 15: Cat Herders Day
December 16: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 18: Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day
December 20: Games Day
December 23: Festivus
December 30: Bacon Day
December 31: Champagne Day
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Ready to Ramp Up Your Workplace Culture?
If you want to ignite your workplace culture, then you need to invest in your culture leadership. Ask us how the Culture Leadership Academy could help jump start a culture shift in your business!
99 Pandemic Pick-Me-Uppers
If you haven't downloaded your free copy of 99 Pandemic Pick-Me-Uppers: Celebrating Silver Linings, then please download it and share with your friends, in-laws, out-laws, colleagues, and random strangers!
Connecting in a Hybrid Workplace If you're looking for ideas on how to connect, inspire, and engage remote employees, check out this list of 165 Ways to Connect With Virtual Employees.
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| Follow Michael Kerr - The Workplace Energizer! |
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Copyright © 2022 Michael Kerr. All Rights Reserved.
mike@mikekerr.com
Suite #644, 104-743 Railway Avenue, Canmore, AB, T1W 1P2 |
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