Fun… even the hint of the word creates tingles of anticipation and excitement! However, as time passes and things change, so can our definition of fun; leaving you feeling lost, empty, and stuck on autopilot. My definition of “Fun” changed from my teenage years to my 20’s, from my 20’s to my 30’s, from my 30’s to 40’s, and I’m sure it will continue to evolve. A few of the most perplexing times of my life have been when I no longer knew my definition of “Fun”, professionally or personally. You may be so busy being busy with your head down and blinders on chasing that singular definition of “Success” that when you look up you’re unaware of what “Fun” is. So, how to enhance fun at work; impacting not only your leadership but also for your people and teams?
Brainstorm!
I share a Leadership Question through my App (YEN PUSH) once per week and recently I posted… “What’s your current definition of “Fun” professionally? In your personal life? Do you know your people’s answer? Your significant other’s answer? Your kid’s?” What a thought-provoking question… and whatever your answer and theirs… what a powerful thing for you to know!
As a leader, being curious enough to ask these questions and knowing the answers of your people will significantly impact your leadership and their work/life harmony; allowing you to brainstorm ideas for activity, impact, and traditions!
Activity – This can be defined as the brainstormed ideas from you, the leadership team, and employees that occur spontaneously or are repeated throughout the year. It may be that Pizza Day your team is so fond of, impromptu staff outings, or staff meetings off-site. I once had a boss walk into the office and spontaneously say, “Let’s have our morning meeting at the café down the street; my treat… ROAD TRIP!”. You would have thought she was handing out $1,000 bills and we all just won the Super Bowl!!!
Impact – These are activities purposefully meant to be of impact and value in the lives of team members either professionally, personally, or both! Perhaps you decide to bring in a Motivational Speaker, provide various trainings, spontaneous call-outs of praise to acknowledge those on your team who’ve achieved professional goals, earned an incentive, or experienced a great personal achievement!
Traditions – Sometimes, a brainstormed Impact Activity becomes SOOOO much more! The shout-out of praise becomes something that occurs once per month or grows into a huge annual event for your organization. Perhaps it’s something smaller; like that much-needed and well-earned Happy Hour that now occurs every Friday or once per month. Whatever it is… it’s now important, expected, and synonymous with your team and the company. Organizations, just like families, benefit from traditions… something meaningful, expected, and cherished that brings people together for a common purpose. Be mindful, some employees may grit their teeth about the tradition and the process it demands, but tend to be the same people who complain if it would stop. Follow through with your traditions and let them evolve as necessary!
My favorite tradition I’ve had the honor of being involved with as an employee happened entirely by accident! I was a Mental Health Worker in an Alternative School for youth struggling emotionally, behaviorally, and with their mental health. On the last day of school, all staff lined up on both sides of the hallway to dismiss the students one bus at a time. The first classroom was dismissed and as the students walked down the hallway with teachers, staff, and counselors on both sides… staff began to clap, cheer, say the students’ names, give high-fives, and it became a cheering gauntlet of love and positivity! To our surprise, we never saw the students smile so big, try to hide their smiles, and some almost bursting with pride. It dawned on me… this may have been the first time many of the students had ever been applauded for, were made to feel accomplished, or special. I’m proud to say this became a powerful and fun-filled tradition that I hope is still happening today!
Follow-Through!
Whether the “Fun” you create for your team is Activity, Impact, or becomes Tradition… Be sure to FOLLOW THROUGH! With the chaotic pace of the day, the quarter, the year, and the projects… it’s easy to get caught being busy. Too busy to remember that “Fun Thing” that doesn’t rank up there in the importance of meeting metrics, having meetings, and maintaining customer satisfaction. I’ve found, what gets scheduled gets done. Whether it’s a meeting, a task, or “Fun”… be sure to put it in your calendar, your team’s calendar, and the organization’s calendar and have some FUN!
Upgrade!
You’ve to follow through and have done a wonderful job of providing “Fun” at work… Now, it’s time to upgrade the experience. Doing something once may be great, twice is good, three times is ok, by the fourth, it could get freakin boring! When you aren’t focused on upgrading the experience as a leader; you may find yourself flying into Burnoutville and Frustratedtown as you begin to hear your team complaining, “This same thing again” or looking as if they’d rather be doing anything else anywhere else. Be mindful of gifting your people with an upgraded experience over time and include their suggestions into the idea vault!
Enjoy!
This is imperative! It would be a shame to plan “Fun”, follow-through, and upgrade only to be miserable throughout the process. Enjoy the impact of gifting your team and organization a great experience. This isn’t to say the process of “Fun” isn’t taxing; as the behind-the-scenes of any amusement park is packed with hard-working, diligent, and exhausted staff.
As a leader, be mindful to nurse yourself to protect from burnout, know what to delegate and who to delegate it to (possibly creating a “Fun” Committee), or potentially utilizing companies or consultants specializing in event planning (www.blueboard.com). This, mixed with your consistent personal leadership of showing up daily with your head up, eyes up, smiling, greeting, doing your best, and being your best will allow you to better enjoy the “Fun” along with everyone else!
You may be asking yourself… “How can we do fun when we’re working remotely?”. This is an excellent question with many answers. Some ideas I’ve seen, some I’ve done, and others I’m sure you, your team, and consultants can brainstorm.
One company sent gift baskets with treats to each of its team members to enjoy during their virtual meetings. Another company sent Happy Hour Gift Baskets to be enjoyed for a Virtual Happy Hour. I have a rule of screens up and be willing to unmute during my Virtual Leadership Trainings and utilize group air-claps as an applause when attendees share their P.O.W. (Positive of the Week). Most employees will not return home, enter their office, or turn on their computer to a standing ovation… never underestimate the power of applause! There are many more ways to have “Fun” when physically at work or virtually and I implore you and your team to get to brainstorming!
“Don’t be so busy being busy that you, your team, and the organization forget to follow through on having fun at work!” – Andre Young
Written By: Andre Young
