Inspiring Workplaces: Five Workplace Lessons from a Real Clown

Published: Wed, 10/28/20

Humor at Work

ISSUE 846- Oct. 28, 2020


		Five Workplace Lessons from a Real Clown

	Since it's Halloween week, the timing for this seems rather appropriate. That hard-nosed business journal Forbes published an article summarizing five lessons on how to bring more joy to work, courtesy of Monica Culen, the CEO of Red Noses Clowndoctors International. Here's a summary of the summary: 1. Accept the situation. Clowns embrace spontaneity, and they have to be open in order to embrace whatever is happening in the moment, no matter how challenging. 2. Don't take yourself too seriously. Culen suggests that if you take yourself less seriously you'll be more generous and tolerant of your fellow employees, and even make better decisions. 3. Focus on what's working. Clowns interacting with sick children in a hospital don't focus on the illness, they focus on what's working well. During times of crisis at work, we need to focus relentlessly on what's working well. 4. Talk about the proverbial elephant in the room. It doesn't help to ignore a stressful situation and pretend it isn't happening. Skilled hospital clowns understand how to acknowledge the negative circumstances while shifting gently towards a more positive conversation. 5. Rediscover your happiness. Clowns understand that humor isn't about telling jokes, it's about being playful, spontaneous, creative and curious - all traits that will help you succeed at work.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Since Halloween is on the horizon, why not try an impromptu costume-themed meeting (virtual or in-person at a safe distance) where everyone has to dress up in an outfit that best reflects how they are going to successfully come out of the pandemic as a "new and improved" version of themselves. Of course, you'll want to award prizes for the most creative or outlandish costume! If you think it's too short notice for that theme, then try this virtual meeting game: Have everyone turn off their camera for 30 seconds and ask them to change one thing about their appearance, then have everyone guess what they changed about themselves when they reappear on camera.
		Quote of the Week

"For Halloween I've decided to give up coffee. If that doesn't scare the heck out of everyone around me I don't know what will!" Anonymous
		It's a Wacky World

November has suddenly appeared, just like that, seemingly out of nowhere! What the what!? As always, I've posted some of the November theme days on the website, including: November 1: Give Up Your Shoulds Day November 2: Fill Our Staplers Day November 4: International Stress Awareness Day November 6: Nachos Day November 8: Abet & Aid Punsters Day November 13: World Kindness Day November 14: Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day November 18: Married to a Scorpio Support Day November 20: Name Your PC Day November 24: Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day November 27: Random Acts of Kindness Friday November 30: Stay Home Because You're Well Day

Creating a Service-First Mindset and Culture at Work
In this 4-minute video, an excerpt from Michael's Culture Leadership Academy, Michael talks about the importance of creating a service-first mindset at work. The Importance of a Service-First Mindset

Investing In Your Employees Matters Now More Than Ever Michael offers up 16 Darn Great Reasons to Invest in Employee Training and Development

Every Other Wednesdays
The Culture Club is back on Wednesday, November 4, where the gang will be talking about what it takes to create a high-performing culture. To register for this fun, free and information discussion, pop on over to Every Other Wednesday.

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