It was a 99-degree day in July of 1979. I was working on a job site as the foreman of a 4-person landscape crew. Our company truck was a monster of a machine, nicknamed “the Goon” because it was about 4.5 feet high off the ground. So, we built a ramp out of 2x12 lumber to take a wheelbarrow full of dirt up the ramp and into the Goon. It was no easy task, and almost everyone, including the dirt, fell off the ramp at some point. Well, on this day, we had a new guy on the crew, and he felt pretty confident. He climbed up the ramp and suddenly stopped. With a panicked look and a lot of sweat, he fell off, dirt and all. And the laughter began! (OSHA was not as active in those days!)
While not every job is fun, that does not mean the team can’t have fun. I know there may be a few leaders out there who, with a grumpy and sour face, say, “Work isn’t for fun!” But consider this scene from How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), where the Grinch reads his calendar his as follows:
4:00: Wallow in self-pity
4:30: Stare into the abyss
5:00: Solve world hunger. Tell no one.
5:30: Jazzercise
6:30: Dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again
7:30: Wrestle with my self-loathing
How would you like that guy on your team? This lack of fun is why some leaders have trouble attracting and retaining employees. Yes, there are plenty of other reasons why, but we shouldn’t underestimate the issue of a fun-free workplace.
Not only can work be fun – it should be fun. Sometimes it can be the task or job itself that is fun. Other times, it can be the culture or environment. But it all starts with the people. A fun work culture helps with recruitment, reduces stress, and aids in the retention of staff. Not bad for something that costs very little to nothing! Here are 5 ways you can create fun at work.
1. Smile.
Expressions are tricky. Some people’s faces do not reflect what they feel. Ever have a photographer keep telling you to smile when you think you already are? That’s what I mean by tricky. Some facial expressions, such as a smile, are often universal. They express joy and humor, and they also can disarm and reduce tension. Even across different cultures and settings. Research has shown that people often mirror the facial expressions that they see in others. See a smile – return a smile. See a scowl – return a scowl. If you are trying to add fun in the workplace, start with your face! Try smiling.
2. Lighten up and laugh.
On Wednesdays, our team eats lunch together. It's not required (unless it is a formal staff meeting), but no one wants to miss it. Why? Because it is fun to be together. To hear about vacations, holiday activities, life events, and what is happening for the weekend. But it’s the humor that brings laughter. We have two team members (no names) who are notorious for telling jokes – most of which meet the low bar of “dad jokes.” But watching them tell the joke, mess up the joke, and seeing the facial expressions of those hearing the joke – that is what makes it fun! Life is stressful. Professional responsibilities can be demanding. But appropriate humor is therapeutic. And free.
3. Celebrate special occasions and even not-so-special ones.
Sometimes managers make it too hard. You do not always need to spend a lot of money or figure out a game to have fun. In fact, some people hate games (I confess, I am one of them)! A great starting place is to just use your normal life experiences as a reason to celebrate. Special occasions make it easy to call people together. This can be to honor someone for finishing a new certification or degree. Or perhaps reaching a work anniversary milestone. Events such as birthdays, housewarmings, engagements, weddings, and births also make for great reasons to gather and have some fun.
4. Eat together.
For thousands of years, the idea of breaking bread together has been a common way of building community. In the workplace, it reduces feelings of isolation, provides a chance for people to get to know each other at a more personal level than just work, and builds trust. Grace Kim, architect and founder of Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing said this in her TED Talk:
“The easiest way to start building a community is simply to eat together. Breaking bread is a human action.” [...] “Those who eat together more frequently exhibit higher levels of communitas. It turns out that when you eat together, you start planning more activities together. When you eat together, you share more things.”
Our team likes to eat. A few times a year, our team has a special meal together. Past meals included homemade Pierogi Day, Cheesesteak Day, and Fajita Day. In the midst of our often-busy schedules as organizational consultants and support staff, such a simple, short time together makes our work together more fun.
5. Have at least one “Master of Fun” on your staff.
A “Master of Fun” is someone who is just plain fun and funny. Of course, they also need to be good at their work, but quite often, such people are well respected for their skills and work ethic, not just the humor and fun energy that they bring to the team. And, it’s even more stimulating when you have a few of these in your cast of characters. One of my friends is just this kind of person. Wherever he is, there is going to be laughter and fun. He was in my wedding years ago and came out during the reception with a stocking over his face and kidnapped my wife. He then made the attendees pay a ransom to get her back! That is just one example of a Master of Fun working their craft. We are living in a time of high stress these days. Three thousand years ago, the writer of Proverbs 17 said, “A cheerful heart is good medicine,” and that is needed more now than ever.
If you are ready to build a workplace culture where people feel valued, connected, and yes, even have a little fun, we can help. Whether you are navigating high turnover, low morale, or simply want to become stronger, contact us to learn more.
Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
