Inspiring Workplaces: Think Before You Speak

Published: Wed, 08/28/19

Humor at Work

ISSUE 787 - Aug. 28 2019


			Think Before You Speak

	It's time for an autumn-tinged edition of random ideas and musings... When it comes to innovation, the design company IDEO embraces the philosophy that it's easier to rein in crazy ideas than it is to make cautious ideas more interesting. According to a recent Glassdoor survey of 5,000 people, 56% of workers ranked a strong workplace culture as more important than salary; 65% of millennials valued culture over income; 70% would look for work elsewhere if their culture deteriorated. Some schools are posting signs using the word "THINK" as an acronym. The sign reads: Before you say something, THINK. Is it True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind? Based on what I see on social media and surveys suggesting a decline in civility in the workplace, it might not be a bad idea to put these signs up in workplaces as well! James L. Brooks, the creative genius behind the Mary Tyler Moore Show, had a policy that helped maintain a collaborative team approach to creativity: No matter how much an original script was edited and revised, the original writer's credit was always kept in tact. One of my clients started doing mid-week 15-minute team huddles as a midweek booster shot, with fantastic results. The huddle leader shares one funny story/quote/joke, then everyone shares the best "win" of the week so far, one challenge they need support with, and one thing they're hoping to finish before the end of the week.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

We often think about throwing celebratory parties at the end of things...the end of a big project, the end of the quarter or year, or when an employee leaves (hopefully we're celebrating the employee, not the fact that they're leaving). It can be just as important though to also throw a party to launch a big project, at the start of a busy work period, or to welcome the arrival of a new employee, so don't forget to celebrate at both ends!
		Quote of the Week

Here's a great quote to embrace the next time you're having a bad hair moment: "I look forward to looking back on this." (Courtesy longtime Inspiring Workplaces subscriber Derek Stone)
		It's a Wacky World

Okay, who stole summer? September is coming waaaaaaaaaaay too fast, fortunately there are some fun September theme days in the queue, including such notables as: September 1: Random Acts of Kindness Day September 5: Be Late for Something Day September 6: Bring Your Manners to Work Day September 8: Hug Your Hound Day September 9: Boss/Employee Exchange Day, Wonderful Weirdos Day September 10: Swap Ideas Day September 13: Hug Your Boss Day September 16: Stay Away from Seattle Day and Guacamole Day September 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day September 22: Remote Employee Appreciation Day September 24: Punctuation Day September 30: Ask a Stupid Question Day

Cost-Savings to Bring Mike in to Energize Your Workplace!
Toronto: Sept. 10
Ottawa: Sept. 11, 12
Vancouver: Oct. 8-10
Montreal: October 17
Toronto: Dec.12-14

Inspiring Workplaces Blog Is Your Workplace Culture Killing People? More and more research suggests that people are dying because of soul-sucking workplace cultures!

Laugh All the Way to the Bank Here are a few fun customer service ideas from Michael's book The Humor Advantage. Customer services ideas that might help you laugh at the way to the bank!

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