Inspiring Workplaces: Power Hours and Think Weeks

Published: Wed, 09/30/15

Humor at Work

ISSUE 601-Sept. 30, 2015


			Power Hours & Think Weeks

	Time for another round of random thoughts, ideas and musings... Science of People's Human Behavior Research Lab analyzed hundreds of hours of TED talks to understand what made the difference between the most and least popular talks. They found the first 7 seconds mattered more than the entire rest of the talk; that more popular speakers used more hand gestures (465 gestures per 8 minute talk vs. 272 gestures in the less popular talks); and more smiling and vocal variety increased the intelligence and credibility ratings of speakers. A very simple thought exercise question to help you look at your business: "If our customers ran our business, what's the first thing they'd change?" Bill Gates would take an annual "Think Week" sabbatical to do nothing but catch up on reading and thinking. Get creative to help your messages stand out from the herd to be heard the way this company did: A GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio staged a game show where workers had to determine which employee "models" were wearing their safety equipment properly in compliance with the new safety regulations. Set aside a "Power Hour" once a day where you take no incoming calls, book no appointments, and don't check e-mails or text. Research shows that if you want to reduce the natural tendency for people to offer resistance to your brilliant ideas, it helps to preface your ideas with a phrase such as, "I could be wrong here..." or "Maybe I'm off base with this idea but..." Demonstrating that you're open to the possibility of being wrong helps them to be more open to the possibility that you may be right! It's World Smile Day October 2nd. Psychologists say that it's easier to remember happy memories when we smile, so remember to smile more often and just maybe you'll be happier!

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

A company in the U.S. has a humorous Wall of Shame to help them laugh at their collective failures and flops. The wall reminds everyone to keep taking risks and to celebrate when "smart failures" happen. Centiro, a Swedish software company specializing in transportation and logistics, prides itself on its nurturing culture. They've created an informal club where employees gather in humorous meetings to talk openly about mistakes they've made at work and what they've learned from those mistakes. The club has influenced their entire culture - encouraging everyone to be more open, honest, supportive, and trusting when it comes to sharing their flops and failures.
		Quote of the Week

"It ain't over till it's over." Yogi Berra (RIP Yogi Berra - 1925-2015)
		It's a Wacky World

Yes, it really is October tomorrow. October is Workplace Politics Awareness Month, Right Brainers Rule Month, Positive Attitude Month, Sarcastic Awareness Month, and Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month. And of course, the usual assortment of October theme days and holidays has been posted on our website, including: October 2: World Smile Day October 4: Improve Your Office Day October 13: Silly Sayings Day October 14: Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day October 15: Get to Know Your Customers Day October 16: Boss's Day October 17: Wear Something Gaudy Day October 21: Information Overload Day October 22: CAPS LOCK DAY October 26: Howl at the Moon Night October 31: Knock Knock Jokes Day

Inspiring Reading

Mike is quoted in the Business Insider article:

12 Signs You're About to Get Promoted at Work

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More Great Press for The Humor Advantage: Gorilla Suit Conducive to a Better Workplace

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