| Humor at Work |
ISSUE 778 - June 19, 2019 |
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Heroic Failures at Work |
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Okay, okay, I know you've heard it a gazillion times: If you don't ever fail at anything, chances are you aren't trying anything new. But there's a difference between hearing something a gazillion times and truly embracing it as a core principle in your workplace.
The billionaire creator of Spanx, Sara Blakely, credits her father for instilling a healthy attitude about failure by consistently asking her and her brother: "What did you fail at today?" That question helped her view failure as part of the learning process, rather than a weakness.
Williams College mathematics professor Edward Burger tells his students that to earn an "A" they have to fail, because 5% of their grade will be based on an essay describing a mistake they made and how making that mistake helped them uncover a new way of seeing the problem.
As I talk about in my innovation workshops, a defining cultural moment in workplaces happens at the point of any perceived failure. If you value creativity, innovation, and risk-taking, then your actions need to support smart failures at work. Which is why the Swedish software company Centiro has a "failure club" where employees hold humorous meetings to talk about what they've learned through failure; why the Grey Group advertising agency has the Heroic Failure Award; and
why Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals holds "failure parties" to help employees learn and regroup after a setback.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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It's been a while since I've offered up an alternative name generator, so here's one to create fun, offbeat team names such as Tranquil Zebras, Meandering Feet, or Ornery Hamsters: Funny Team Name Generator. (And just imagine the possibilities when it comes to
your team outfits!)
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Quote of the Week |
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“What is clear to me is not necessarily clear to you, or anybody else. Do not assume that people understand what you are saying; especially the first time you tell them.” Matthew Kelley, The Culture Solution
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It's a Wacky World |
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I stumbled upon yet another research study that falls into the category of, "But why?" A University of Minnesota study discovered that it is just as easy to swim in syrup as it is to swim in water. And yes, the study involved copious amounts of syrup. And no, I don't know why.
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Cost-Savings to Bring Mike in to Energize Your Workplace!
Calgary: Savings on dates in June and July!
Denver: July 26-31
Montreal: August 17, 21
Toronto: Sept. 10, 11, 20
Trapped in a Soul-Sucking Workplace? Mike is quoted in the Business Insider article, 19 Signs Your Company Doesn't Care About You!
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mike@mikekerr.com
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