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July 11, 2011
Meaning: It was the middle of January and three of us from MDA were having dinner in a quiet restaurant in Minot, North Dakota. Suddenly there was a commotion on the other side of the room – we glanced across and noticed George Burns, the celebrity comedian and writer, in his late 90s at the time. Later I had a chance to ask him what he attributed his longevity to. Without hesitating, he said, “I have always chosen to do what I love; work should be fun, not a chore!” That encounter was years ago, but his observation still rings true. Of course, there are aspects of any job that may not be exciting, but on balance if work is not fun, find something else. Just think of these implications: you spend at least half of your waking hours at work each workday, and if those aren’t fun, they certainly won’t be enjoyable for the individuals who work with you. Laughter belongs at work. There’s a time to be serious for sure, but organizations that take time for fun and play and laughter become great places to work. Keep in mind the lyrics to one of Jimmy Buffett’s songs, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”
Ideas for Action: Remember that you as a leader set the tone for the balance between seriousness and fun. Let others see the value you place on both. Find the humor in even small things that happen, remembering that laughing at yourself makes you more human too.
If most of your team is in one location, wander the halls and listen. Is there ever any laughter? The new CEO of a mid-size company and I once walked through groups of fully occupied, but deathly quiet cubicles at his company. “Do you hear that?” he asked. I confessed I heard nothing. “Exactly!” he said. “There should be conversation, laughter and a sense of fun here, not such silence. How can we be innovative with our products or engaging for our associates when it is so quiet? I need to help this organization change that.” And he did!
Seek out ways to interject fun or play into the workplace. Some companies create informal social events and others simply make fun or play part of their daily life. Look at ways companies raise money for United Way. There are ice cream socials, silly skits and fun outings. Our summer heat reminds me of the Minnesota company that planned an ice cream social for all employees and as a surprise rented a dunk tank for the event. It was the company’s senior leaders who lined up for dunking! The event raised a tidy sum for charity and the employees had great fun!
Being willing to appear out-of-character at an employee event, in a silly skit or in a department video, often comes with the territory of being a leader. Of course, you can turn down such opportunities, but why would you if they’re for a good cause and in good taste? I know a leader whose reputation as being approachable went up several notches when he performed in a company lip synch contest!
Another organization we know took the “serious” work of their new success factor model and turned it into a Jeopardy game. Communicating a new initiative can happen in creative, engaging ways – just turn people loose on it, and you’ll be amazed at the results.
As George Burns would attest: “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What type of workplace pulls you in? I bet it’s one where you and others share a sense of fun, camaraderie and common purpose in the midst of accomplishing great things. As the leader, you can make that happen!
Best regards,
Sandra Davis, CEO