Fun is a business tool

The fisherman is in a band. I ventured down to listen to them play this weekend and I observed something taking place that was playful, creative and focused. What unfolded was an amazing scene of positive, productive teamwork that delivered results. Ask any manager and these characteristics are what they are trying to create in their teams and often struggle to do so.

I have an important disclaimer to share before going any further. I’m still recovering from 15 years of how BIG, Fortune 100 companies view fun — so I’m still learning about fun too. What I do know is that if you need a lesson in how you can use fun to foster successful teams, corporate land is not the place to look. Instead, observe that which inspires you. The fisherman inspires me.

What took place that fine evening as I listened to the fisherman and ‘the boys’ is a lesson in how fun can help your team. The interplay of fun, design, and practice was fascinating. The lite, easygoing atmosphere lent itself to creative collaboration, real time feedback, and continual design to make the music better. “A little lighter on the drums” one would say. “We need to add in a bass solo here.” One of ‘the boys’ would start to play and the others would fold in their style one by one. It wasn’t forced; there was no written agenda to follow. The creative design process of hear one another, create together, and deliver was beautiful! Laughter was prevalent. They would take breaks, stretch and chat over a beer. Then back to practice. This ebb and flow of casual teamwork continued throughout the evening and it’s how they come together every time they play together. It’s how they create and innovate. It’s how they practice. It’s how they get better every time. Corporate land could
learn a lot about teamwork from the fisherman and the boys.

Here are three things to consider when kick starting some fun in corporate land.

1. Get out of your cubicles and go somewhere else. Anywhere really. Anywhere but cubicles.
   Put some music on. Draw. Brainstorm. Take breaks. Enjoy some good food and drink together — not the crappy sugar filled, partially
   hydrogenated poison you often find in a meeting. This crap will only make everyone crash and be cranky once they come down from their sugar buzz.
2. Don’t expect that fun=successful teamwork from one ‘team building activity.’
   Ever been to a corporate off-site? Don’t be fooled. It takes a while to build a level of comfort where team members can give real time feedback to one another without triggering cat fights and ego wars. Fun requires investment in the long term.
3. Fold in fun to all work and keep it lite.
   I am convinced that fun is a key quality for a successful team and I’m not talkin’ about the ‘corporate sponsored” picnic. I’m talkin’ about the recognition that spending time having fun is actually about creating a connectedness that allows for the design process to flourish.

Just for kicks, do a Google search on “fun and teamwork.” The first result is an article from eHow.com. The author’s article makes me think that my aunt Eleanor in Minnesota knows more about fun. The fourth result in Google is a link to Fun with Larry Lipman. I say no more because it would be too unkind. “Fun and teamwork” is a topic in desperate need of some mind-blowin’, knock your socks off creativity! I think I’ll write a book on this topic after I’m finished with my current undertaking, “How to Lead the **** Out of Change” coming out this spring. Get on the list and be the first to hear about it when I launch!

What would you add to this list of things to consider when kick starting some fun in corporate land? What has worked for you?

Cheers to a great week everyone — go make some fun!

Melissa

Photo credit danieljohnsonjr