| Humor at Work |
ISSUE 716 - Feb. 21, 2018 |
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Does Your Workplace Need a Jobstacle Busting Squad? |
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Are "jobstacles" getting in your way? Numerous surveys highlight how excessive red tape and onerous rules strangle innovation, demoralize employees and frustrate customers. So embark on a mission to slay your jobstacles that might be getting in the way of employees doing their jobs well (and having more fun) or that might be driving
your customers into your competitors' arms. Here are a few approaches to consider:
- The BBC publicly launched a "Give Red Tape the Red Card" program a few years ago to eliminate needless bureaucracy, so create your own "No Sacred Cows Team" or "Jobstacle Busters" to review and eliminate unnecessary or out-of-date policies and paperwork.
- Give out a "Houdini Award" to whoever can magically make an onerous rule/policy disappear without any negative consequences.
- Hand out "You're SIMPLY the Best" awards to whoever can simplify a process at work.
- Talk to your boss and have a frank discussion about what is getting in the way of you doing your best work and offer to brainstorm solutions together.
- Ask new employees and customers for their ideas and observations - they have no baggage and can see things with a fresh set of eyes.
- Practice the 3 Rs: How can you reduce the jobstacle; reframe it by turning it into a game; reward yourself every time you have to deal with it.
- Adopt the mindset of companies such as Zappos, who, instead of relying on excessive rules and policies, adopt the approach: "If we build our culture right, hire and train our employees right, and then treat our employees like adults, we won't need a whack of rules! If and when a problem arises, we will have a conversation with the employee who messed up rather than punishing everyone with a needless rule!"
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Instead of (or in addition to) the traditional "Lunch n' Learn" sessions you might be holding, try a weekly "Munch n' Learn": Quick, bite-sized learning sessions that take place over coffee breaks. Involve all your employees by soliciting volunteers to present and to get ideas for sessions. Don't limit yourself to work-related topics - look for fun, creative topics that will generate heaps of interest and spark creative
connections.
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Quote of the Week |
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“Good leaders know that humor and tenacity will get them further than anger and chaos.” Caryl Stern
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It's a Wacky World |
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Here's yet one more example of how humor can save the day: A couple in Oak Hills, California, discovered a thief in their home after the homeowner told his wife a joke...and they heard the would-be thief laugh upstairs!
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Copyright © 2018 Humor at Work. All Rights Reserved.
mike@mikekerr.com
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