| Humor at Work |
ISSUE 830 - July 8, 2020 |
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Are You Managing to Have Fun at Work? |
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Research cited in the book Laugh Out Loud by Inkson and Plester (whom I had the pleasure of meeting meeting at an International Group of Humor Studies conference in Utrecht a few years ago) suggests that overly-managed fun events are the least preferred forms of fun in the workplace (equally unappreciated events included "mime karaoke," broccoli eating
contests, and pin-the-tail-on-the-CFO).
Their research showed a split between extroverts and introverts when it comes to the enjoyment of some team building events, especially events held outside of work hours. They also found that employees are also less likely to enjoy events that look like they are being used to promote company propaganda, that come attached with directives ("You WILL have fun, or ELSE!"), or are overly-geared towards management. So, here are a few suggestions that might help:
- Ask front line employees what they want to do! Get regular feedback and input, both before and after events.
- Involve front line employees in the planning of events, or, better still, have front line teams take the lead and plan the entire event, at least from time to time.
- Extroverts are far more likely to speak up and offer to coordinate fun activities, so be intentional about involving the introverts as well. Get the introverts on board to make sure there is a balance of activities or options to suit different personalities at any event.
- Mix up your approach over time so that some events are geared more towards the introverts, others towards the extroverts.
- Be wary of inadvertently sending a message that might be construed as making fun mandatory. Create an environment where everyone feels included and invited to have fun, but without forcing the fun on anyone.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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A simple question to ask your children at every dinner, your team mates at every meeting, and perhaps, most importantly of all, yourself at the end of every day: "What went right today?"
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Quote of the Week |
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"Half the leaders I've met don't need to learn what to do. They need to learn what to stop." Peter Drucker
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It's a Wacky World |
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A reminder of a few of the wackier theme days coming up that you really ought to celebrate: Today, for starters, is official SCUD Day: Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama. July 11th is Bald is In Day and Make Your Own Sundae Day, while the 13th brings us Embrace Your Geekness Day and Gruntled Workers Day - a great day to survey your team and ask them, "What makes you gruntled at
work?".
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Every Other Wednesday
Join us for another Every Other Wednesday Culture Club conversation as we dissect and debate all things culture! In this edition we examine that age-old question, "Why do so many leaders seem to suck at workplace communication? Register Here for Free for the July 15th conversation. (11:00 a.m. MST/1:00 PM EST, 45 minutes)
Culture Leadership Academy
Are you ready to jump start a culture shift in your workplace to drive outrageous results? Culture Leadership Academy
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mike@mikekerr.com
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