Fun Is Serious Business

“Here we go again; I wonder what it is this time.” thought Maryann. She had just been summoned once more to June’s office. June was her new boss and Divisional President and had a dislike for all things H.R. She would refer to it as the touchy-feely department. 

Maryann took a deep breath, straightened up, and confidently walked into June’s office, “You wanted to see me.”

“You bet! It’s about your agenda for the quarterly quality meeting. What the hell is this about a game? I don’t agree with it!”

“What’s the problem?”

“Well,” June said sarcastically, “I don’t know if you have noticed, but business sucks and you want to play a game. What’s that all about?”

Maryann detested June’s leadership style and realized instantly that this was going to be another one of June’s you-will-change-it-modify-it-until-I-like-it-confrontational meetings. What a control freak!

Unlike all the other times, Maryann thought, “I’m ready to take her on! She won’t bully me this time! I’m going to take a stand–this is right! And I’m not going to change the agenda!”

Maryann and June are total opposites! Maryann is a quiet, soft spoken person, but she has a fire in her eyes and a slight contented smile that always seems to be there. Her steady consistent confident demeanor makes her approachable and well-liked.

June is a small, wiry, talkative, feisty woman who is extremely bright; but when it comes to social intelligence, she’s a Neanderthal! She lacks empathy and understanding on a level rarely seen in today’s world. You could say, June is anti-fun. 

Maryann looked June directly in the eye “June, there is a reason we make meetings fun. There’s always a message and the staff retains more of it and they love it.”

“Business is serious, Maryann.”

“Well, so is a game of chess, but people have fun doing it, June” she said firmly.

“Well, what I want to do is get in, get the message over, and get out. I have a lot to do and my time is money!” She felt a flash of anger that she was justifying herself to Maryann. She quickly calmed herself because she had been warned numerous times about her temper. 

Maryann saw a change in June’s attitude. So, she jumped in quickly and took advantage of the opening that June had given her. “June, besides the game, there is something you can do to help the meeting. Would you set the tone for the day? This is an opportunity for you to connect with the staff.”

“Maryann, what do you mean ‘set the tone’?”

“Well, first, I would like you to be relaxed and casual and not prepare a speech or dress in a business suit.”

“I can understand that being more casual could relax everyone, but I’m still not sold on the game; why would you want to play a game?”

“June, people produce more when they’re having fun. There is less absenteeism, firings, and lawsuits when people enjoy their work . . . and they don’t shoot each other! It makes them feel that their jobs are worthwhile and there is credible research to back it up.”

This was the first time Maryann saw June in silent contemplation. Was she actually thinking about it? Wa-hoo!

“What are the messages, Maryann?” 

“The main message is working together and supporting the company’s vision and goals. You will definitely enjoy the game. I would appreciate it if you would join in.”

“I don’t really think . . . well okay. It won’t be easy, but I suppose I should show the Board of Directors and the staff my human side.”

Maryann left June’s office feeling elated. “WOW, that was great! Not only did she back down, but it felt like I had a personal breakthrough with her. This was a victory for fun!”

Research validates fun in the workplace

When people come to work because they are having fun and enjoy the people they work with, the organizational culture abounds with positive energy. It becomes a place without fear – a place of play and creativity, growing and developing, and oozing with every increasing potential. It grows richer, stronger and more collaborative because of the willingness to work together. 

Researchers who have worked with concepts like joy in the workplace and making work fun have found that people who enjoy their work are healthier, recover quicker from illness and injury, work more productively, are more creative, and have greater self-esteem and emotional balance. People who are happy at work don’t need to take “mental health” days from their sick leave. They don’t sabotage equipment or shirk their duties, and they don’t shoot one another.