Inspiring Workplaces: Positive Workplace Gossip

Published: Wed, 03/01/17

Humor at Work

ISSUE 668 - Mar. 1, 2017


			Positive Workplace Gossip

	I'm so darned excited! It's another edition of random musings and ideas! First impressions last - which is why every front line employee, including receptionists, cashiers, cleaning staff, maintenance staff, should wear a name tag reading Director of First Impressions to remind them of the important role they play. Legendary Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee always looked for ways to give his team the recognition they deserved - he introduced a credits page to Marvel comics and added an extra flair to the credits, such as, "Written with passion by _____," Drawn with pride by ______" and, "Inked with perfection by _______." Sometimes the best idea is right at your feet: A beauty parlor owner who was tired of picking up hairpins off her floor had a brainwave: She attached a magnet to her pet dachshund's dog tag and voila - problem solved! In 2014 Amazon.com launched a Pay to Quit program to entice unhappy employees to leave, recognizing that offering disgruntled employees a small incentive to leave was worth the cost - and it keeps gruntled employees who still want to work there happier as well. Are you living up to your future judgement? If your team wrote a company obituary for your organization, what would you want it to say? What would you want your clients, partners, employees, and family members to say at your "company funeral?" Want someone to return your phone call (or e-mail)? Try leaving the setup part of a clean joke on their voicemail/e-mail, then let them know that if they want to hear the punchline they need to call or e-mail you back!

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Here's a simple but effective team exercise from the book, Forever Recognize Others' Greatness by Sarah McVanel and Brenda Zalter-Minden, called "Resource Gossiping." Have everyone speak 100% positively about the person sitting next to them as though the person is not sitting in the room. The person receiving the praise is not allowed to interject. The point of the exercise is to remind people of the importance of positive recognition and positive workplace gossip, and to get over the inherent awkwardness people often experience when receiving praise.
		Quote of the Week

“If you give people freedom, they will surprise, delight, and amaze you.” Stacy Sullivan, Chief Culture Officer, Google
		It's a Wacky World

Welcome to March, official Humorists are Artists Month, Dolphin Awareness Month, Broccoli Month, International Mirth Month, and Ideas Month. I've posted the usual assortment of theme days on the website, including such notables as: March 3: Employee Appreciation Day & What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day March 4: March Forth and Do Something Day March 6: Fun Facts About Names Day March 9: Name Tag Day March 10: International Day of Awesomeness March 13: Open an Umbrella Indoors Day March 16: No Selfies Day March 22: International Goof Off Day March 24: Red Nose Day March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day March 27: Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day March 31: International Hug a Medievalist Day

Cost-Savings to Bring Mike in to Speak
Okanagan: "I need to see Mom" special rate on-going! (50% savings!)
Halifax: May 17-19
Florida, July 2-9 (50% extra!)

Teaching Company Culture to New Employees Webinar
For more information and to register for this idea-packed webinar on Wednesday, March 22, visit Teaching Your Culture to New Employees

More Reading
22 Monthly Workplace Themes to Help Build Positive Workplace Habits

Humor at Work
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Mike shares Six Habits of High-Performing Teams

Or Vimeo: Six Habits of High-Performing Teams

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