How to Make Work Fun
Posted in Work Life & Balance
The say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy - and Jill a dull girl.
A little fun in the office is not a bad thing. In fact, it even boosts your team's productivity.
This is not to say that you have to have some kind of gimmick going on in the office every day. People get tired of those things. A little happening every now and then maybe, to liven things up, give your employees a chance to bond, "add a human face to your management style," and to show people that you care about them.
But at the end of the day, believe it or not, people come to work because they want to work. And it's not just about the money.
People go to work because they are looking for that sense of fulfillment. "They want to contribute; they want to see that their contribution is making a difference; they want to learn; they want to grow; and they want to feel that they are part of a successful enterprise that is making a difference in the world."
Making work rewarding
- Today's employees want to understand why they are doing something. Rather than barking out orders, take the time to explain why you have to churn out 20,000 pieces of whatever product you manufacture. It'll only take a minute.
- Today's employees work hard and are proud of their hard-work. They need appreciation and recognition for their contribution, so be generous with compliments.
- Today's workers want input accessibility to their managers. However, there are those who shy away from or are a little nervous around authority figures. Get your employees more involved in the work process by holding small group meetings where you solicit suggestions and recommendations from them.
- Lastly, today's employees want to feel that their work is making a difference. Let them know why their work is important. Provide them with information about how many people benefit from your company's products or services.
Helping employees progress
It's important for employees to feel that they always learning, growing and progressing. It may be difficult to fulfill this need, but you should because "it is often the best employees who most feel the need to learn."
Set the tone
As a manager at any level, you are in a position where you have an effect on the mood of the workplace and the mood and/or attitude of your employees. Thus, you have to project a positive attitude and make sure your comments have a positive effect on people. The best time to pass some positive energy is in the morning, so start your day right.
When and how often should you party?
It depends upon the nature of your business and your working hours. Determine during which days of the week are you least loaded. Find out at what time of the day you are the least busy. Decide on how often should you hold your little "office parties."
Businesstown.com shares the following example:
My experience is that about once or twice a week during working hours is the right time to spend on those silly, frivolous activities.
- Here's some of the diversions that have worked for us:
- Friday morning bagels.
- Friday afternoon theme parties.
- Occasional lunch outings such as mini-golf, bowling, or billiards.
- Seasonal decorations at the entrance.
- Company crosswords and contests.
I've tried a lot of elaborate events outside of working hours, but they've almost always been disappointing. Attendance was mixed; people would arrive late; and managers felt pressured to attend.
A high-level technical manager told me that the single thing that impressed him the most about our company during his first month was that he went bowling and played miniature golf during company hours.
Source: Businesstown.com
