Bridging the work/fun gap has led to some depressing misinterpretations of both. Here’s one more example:
Mobile phone company boss Tom Logan said: “We have introduced something called the three-whoops-and-a-yay rule.
“Basically that’s the minimum amount of appreciative noises a team member must make during the course of a team-building exercise.
“It should be noted that ironic or sardonic whoops, where there is a deliberate lack of vigour, do not count and may in fact result in a temporary suspension of pay.
“And ‘yay’ must be accompanied by a triumphant gesture, for example punching the air or jumping.”
- reported in this article
Fortunately, some of our deeper thinkers have been able to make healthier and more useful connections between work and fun. Here, Manfred Kets de Vries makes an enlightening observation about what he calls “meaningful work” (“meaningful work” meaning, as far as I am able to understand it, work that is truly “fun”):
Work holds an important place in humankind’s search for meaning. Because meaningful activity at work can contribute to a sense of significance and orientation, work offers a way to transcend personal concerns. In addition, it helps to create a sense of continuity.
Leaving a legacy through work is an affirmation of one’s sense of self and identity and thus serves as an important form of narcissistic gratification. Given the importance of basic human motivational needs, organisational leadership has the responsibility to institute collective systems of meaning – a responsibility that is greater than ever in these times of discontinuity. The challenge these leaders face is to recognise humankind’s search for meaning and create circumstances that allow people to do tasks in the workplace that are experienced as consequential. Subjective experiences and actions need to be made meaningful. This challenge requires that work be done in ways that make sense to the employees, leading to congruence between personal and collective objectives. Facilitating congruence between the inner and outer worlds of employees will contribute to individual and organisational health.
via Stuart Shaw
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Oh my goodness, how awful to work at that phone company. It would be like going to work every day to be tickled. There is definitely something perverse in punishing people for not being cheerful enough. I’m a firm believer in the mind-body connection, that if we “act” happy, our brains will think we are happy. BUT, it has to be our choice. We have to WANT to act happy, or it will backfire beyond belief.
That said, I have often thought it would be fun to work somewhere like Walmart where they do a morning cheer every morning. Talking to people that work there, and most of them think it’s “lame”. In my retail position at a different store, I often said (and did the actions for) “Very Good, Very Good, Yay!!” when something inspired me to do so. There were a few (not many, but a few) who caught on to it, and also said it (or at least joined in when in earshot of me). The management would turn and look away. I’d like to think they were trying to hide an indulgent smile, but whatever it was, they didn’t stop me.
I honestly think the way to encourage fun, is simply to allow it. Surely there are enough of us out there who can take it from there.
Love and laughter,
Lily