April 1st is International Fun Day at Work. In talking to mid-level and senior management, fun and work do not always go hand in hand. Let’s explore some ideas that would drive more engagement and create an atmosphere where employees look forward to going to work.
Christine Comaford, Contributing Author for Forbes Magazine says, “Our brains need passion, play, and release at work.” We can’t have a culture of just work and no play. Some of her suggestions for doing so are as follows:
Create games and contests for your company values.
Share community service experiences.
Embrace celebration and appreciation visibly.
Incorporate mindfulness practices on a regular basis.
Celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries.
Having a team that can work seamlessly together is key to any high-producing team. But seamless teamwork takes time and effort on everyone’s part. As part of the leadership team, you have the ability to influence the culture. You can a culture that is results-driven, and you can mix some fun in there by doing quick, easy team-building activities that will bring your people together.
Team building doesn’t have to be an excursion or lots of time. It can be as quick as five minutes at the beginning of the day, right after lunch, or whatever time best fits your schedule. Teams that know each other personally tend to be most effective and productive at work.
Here is a list of some short exercises for team building:
Coworker bingo, Never Have I Guessing Game, Who Am I Cards, Game of Possibilities, or, Two Truths and a Lie. If you need some more ideas here is another resource for you from Indeed.
It is proven that asking your team “How are you?” may not be the best way for everyone to open up and jump into sharing openly. Generally, having an icebreaker exercise creates a warm, engaging, and safe environment. Hubspot says, “The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.”
Tom Wujec did a TED talk called “Build a tower, build a team” on the nature of collaboration. He talks about a marshmallow problem - a simple team-building exercise that involves dry spaghetti, one yard of tape, and a marshmallow. The collaboration process is designed to see who can build the tallest tower with these ingredients? And why does a surprising group always beat the average? Try this with your team or tap into the other icebreaking ideas Hubspot offers.
I am excited to hear how icebreakers are working with your team. This also ties into the personality makeup of your team. The more they can get to know each other and why/how they operate, the more they will understand each other. As the leader, you can significantly impact your culture and how much fun your team is having at work.
Stratengy is here to help you navigate being a great leader in today’s world. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you and your team be more engaged, collaborative, and productive.
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