So - Are We Having Fun Yet

So - Are We Having Fun Yet

Several years ago I worked with a client in the Chicago area. One day during lunch, several of the employees were playing Frisbee out behind the plant. The president came out and asked what they were doing. One of the employees said, “We are on our lunch break and we are playing.” The president replied, “This is a place of business, not a playground. You are here to work, not have fun.” I couldn’t believe my ears. As a consultant for over 25 years, I can tell you that I have never before or since heard such a ridiculous remark from the president of a 50 million dollar a year business.

So, you say, what’s the big deal? Some of you may believe that the president was right in his attitude. I can only tell you that when people work in a fun environment (and I don’t mean playing Frisbee in the halls) they:

? will be more productive.
? will make fewer mistakes.
? will release their stress in a productive way rather than on a customer or fellow employee.
? will get along better with everyone.
? will come in early and leave late. They will not be driven by the clock, but the project, assignment or task.
? will tend to have more organization loyalty.
? will give you the labor of their hearts - not just their hands.

The opposite of many of these is also true in an environment filled with mistrust, lack of respect, stress, politics, game-playing and heavy top-down policies, decisions, communication and objectives. In a labor market where good people are hard to find (and I will even say that any employees are hard to find), it makes sense to treat employees as your most valuable asset. Generally employees today:

? are smarter.
? have more options.
? are getting older.
? don’t need you or your job as much as you think they do.
? want to be respected, trusted, and accepted.

How would you describe your organizational environment? Is it a fun place to work? Do employees look forward to Monday or Friday? Have you ever asked them? You really don’t have to. Their performance, attitudes, productivity, communication styles, creativity, willingness to take responsibility, morale and results are (or will be) a pretty accurate barometer.