Is FUN a bad word?

First published in Legal Island HR Yearbook, November 2013

You are probably half way through this year book, reading about employment law and all those serious issues HR professionals have to think about day in and day out. Well, put your feet up for a few minutes and read on.

15 years ago I was invited to be part of the talent pool for a global organization. I was so pleased! I was asked to fill in my Personal Development Plan to focus on my leadership.  I had no idea what was expected of me, so I nabbed my coach. We sat down at a table in the canteen and she asked me some hard questions. What did I stand for? What kind of leader did I want to be? What did I want to create? What kind of working environment did I want to be part of? All I could think about was that I wanted people to have fun. I was concerned that this seemed flaky, somehow not serious enough, but my coach convinced me to include it in my PDP.  So I took my life in my hands and sent it through to HR, not sure how it would be received.   

Thinking back now I realise I instinctively knew that if people were having fun they would be more productive, more engaged (although “engaged” wasn’t the buzz word it is now) and ultimately deliver better results. So I trusted my judgment back then and set about putting in place a programme of activities designed to introduce more fun into the workplace.  Not long after, we hit a bad period. Faulty deliveries combined with demanding timescales, scope creep and a very unsatisfied customer.  Having some timely lighthearted moments really helped release tensions during this intense period and with good humour, and a sense of real teamwork, the team were able to find solutions to the pickle we were in, ultimately turning a disgruntled customer into one of our biggest advocates.

So if having fun can help people be creative, be better problem solvers, deliver better results to the customer, even in a stressful environment, why is that the idea of having fun often raises an eyebrow?

Recently I was reviewing a workshop structure with a HR Director of a telecommunications company. Some bits needed rework and I suggested some fun learning activities we could do.  She gave me an icy stare, and said, “this is a serious business you know!” I knew there was no point in debating with her and I subsequently walked away from that opportunity.

The fact is that fun IS good for business.  There is countless research to back this up. Fun is linked to wellbeing, productivity, engagement, loyalty, morale, trust and ultimately the bottom line.   It may even be the single most important trait of a highly effective and successful organisation.  And with the challenge now of retaining Generation Y, it is even more critical. So why on earth are we not taking fun more seriously?

Imagine an organisation where people enjoy, or even love their work, are creative, come up with great ideas and solutions, have great working relationships and laugh a lot. Yes LAUGH a lot! How would that be for you? Your team? The organization?

5 Small Tips for Massive Impact

Small changes have a big impact.  If you are serious about your business then here are the critical few things that you can start doing right now that will have biggest impact:

•  Choose It all starts with you. It is a choice that you have to make. To infuse your work environment with a spirit of fun, you must really believe fun to be essential, critical even.  So put your money where your mouth is. Let it be obvious that you are modeling and reinforcing that fun is “ok”. Others will take their cue from you!
•  Play (Fish! Tales, John Christensen) Sound fishy? Well, if you remain unconvinced watch the FISH video (www.charthouse.com for a preview) or read the book.  This is where I started when I gave myself the challenge. “Play is not just an activity; it’s a state of mind that brings new energy and sparks creativity. “ Make a list of as many ways you can think of that will create a lighthearted feeling at work.  And then try some! And get others involved. If you play in a way that makes people feel better it creates a great atmosphere of camaraderie.
• Remember Rule No. 6 (Art of Possibility, Benjamin Zander) “Don’t take yourself so goddam seriously!”  Seriously! Don’t take yourself so seriously!  Make a conscious effort to lighten up, which may well lighten up those around you. Humour and laughter are perhaps the best way we can ”get over ourselves” and release tension. What makes you laugh? How can you create more laughter in the workplace?
• Smile It makes you happier!  It’s true.  And you don’t even have to be happy first.  The facial muscles you move when you smile actually send messages back to the brain changing your emotional state for the better.  And it’s contagious. People trust you more if you smile, it is a cue for openness and acceptance. And of course happy people are more productive right?  You might even live longer too.
• Thrive (Flourishing, Maureen Gaffney) Psychologists have shown that it takes a very precise ratio of 5 : 1 positive to negative to thrive. If we fall to 3 : 1 then we are merely surviving! So pay attention and reduce the negative. Wear an elastic band on your wrist. Every time you hear or think something negative, switch the band to your other wrist.  Trouble is, negative pieces of information are like Velcro – they stick and last a long time.  In contrast positive bits are like Teflon– they slip off, almost immediately.   So you have to increase the positive as well.  Keep the ratio in 5: 1 and you will be more creative, energetic, flexible and resilient.

So if you want a resilient workforce, one that can remain flexible, creative and innovative under pressure …

If you want a workforce that outperforms on almost every business measure …

then I dare you, take the plunge, make the choice and put fun back into work …

And watch the impact … it is contagious!

Anne Dargan, Managing Director of Rapid Change Consultancy, is an Organisation Change consultant, Executive Coach and Coach Trainer.

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