Fun and Play at work!

that's me flying a kite!

While at the quarterly planning meeting last week, an issue about staff morale and motivation was brought up. This was of course after the latest staff appraisals, almost non-existence bonus and increments across the board. An exercise was held. Each of us were given three pieces of paper to write three ideas on how staff morale can be increased. Results were surprisingly funny with more people writing about get-togethers, drinking sessions, games and outward bound sessions rather than higher salaries and bonuses.

With these kind of results, most of us had to plan for events which would help motivate staff and increase their morale. I had three in my planner - once each month. My boss was keen on the outward bound training which, I saw as a major problem as most people may not turn up despite being threatened with personal action. Yeah right, the whole department would probably end up with one each, then what! I'm now in dire need of ideas that almost all in the department, God forbid, would want to participate willingly. That, plus the fact that I am only good at planning for eating sessions, trips to the beach, nature walks and climbing the mountains! This month's easy as it's the 'eating month'. Next month has to be the 'games month' - is flying kite considered a sport or a game? The third month would be a little more exciting and difficult as it's the 'outdoor-month'. Maybe taking my dog out for a walk would do for those who dislike outdoor activities. Someone suggested paintball. Seriously, I think this is a good idea because I have some people in my mind that I'd like to leave a bruise or two on.

Anyway, there's this story of the Pike Market in Seattle. The once almost gone bust business is a thriving one now. How could selling fish be made into an interesting job, one that the travel maps mark as a must-go place for tourists? Happy customers, happy employees are what you see in this marketplace. They laugh, fling fishes around and and at the end of the day they go home happy even if they have a job selling fish. There's a book on them called "Fish". It seems that their secret at work are these four points (excerpts from the book itself):

1. Play - We put more energy into what we enjoy, and finding ways to "play" can lead to greater productivity and creativity.

2. Be there - The glue in our humanity is in being fully present for one another. When one of the fish market guys stops goofing and turns to help a customer, that customer becomes the only other person in the place

3. Choose your attitude - When you look for the worst you will find it everywhere. When you look for the best you will find opportunities you never imagined possible. You have the power to choose your attitude.

4. Make Their Day - When you 'make someone’s day' (or even moment) through a small kindness or unforgettable engagement, you can turn even routine encounters into special memories. Few things are as rewarding and infectious as lifting another person's spirits, and the act of serving others quickly returns a feeling of satisfaction."

Of course things like these only happen in America. I know for sure they're good points that could definitely work if allowed to put to practice. Can we ever do this here when there's bound to be someone who screams "Keep it down you guys!" when there's laughter at work? We used to fling rubber balls around the office but one of the older employee threw the ball into the bin. When would the mentality change?