This
week, at our hospital, we had our monthly team meeting. We meet each month in the middle of the day
to discuss client service, hospital events, hospital policies, and procedures. The meetings are usually well attended by the
team because we have free lunch, and everyone gets to sit down and relax for couple
hours. At some of the meetings I do
team building exercises designed to bring the team closer together and have a
little fun.
This
week it was a photo scavenger hunt with two teams and two cell phone cameras. We ran around the hospital performing silly
tasks and taking photos to try to compete with the other team. As you can see in the photos, a good time was
had by all.
Part
of being a good leader is ensuring that your team is allowed, and encouraged,
to have fun. Why do good leaders want a
fun workplace?
When
team members are having fun, they are less stressed. People that are stressed
make more mistakes, take more sick days, and have poorer communication that
those that are less stressed. Fun reduces stress.
When
team members have fun, they are more engaged in the business. Engaged employees provide better customer
service for your clients and pay more attention to details.
Productivity
is also increase when people are having fun.
It may seem like having fun does not lead to work, but the truth is that
some fun or relaxation time refreshes us and allows us to feel energized,
engaged, and motivated allowing people to get more done.
When
work is fun, the business has lower turnover.
People that know that their employer has their back and are allowed to
have fun are less likely to look for another job.
How
can we create fun for our team?
Watch
your employees and observe when they have a good attitude or are having fun. When you notice, tell them that you love to
see them happy and having fun at work.
Participate in the merriment if you can and reward them for their great
attitude.
Model
a positive outlook them. When you are
the leader you are expected to do better and act better. Do you enjoy your work? If it is not obvious that you do, you need to share
your feelings more openly with your team. If you as the leader have fun at
work, your team will join you.
Allow
them to have fun. It is difficult as a
leader to see people that are on the time clock not working, however it is
important to allow your team some time to play.
Give them a little space to chat, joke or eat together. Yesterday I bought my team donuts from the
bakery across the street and they all took a minute to eat a donut together. It takes a few minutes away from their work,
however once they eat, they are much happier to get back to work and serve the clients.
Create
enjoyment in your workplace. This is my
favorite step when it comes to fun for my team.
I love to create games and funs things for us to do at work. I have done scavenger hunts, shopping trips,
movies, puzzles, auctions, and so many games.
Our current hospital game involves a Barbie doll dressed in a lab
coat. We hide Barbie around the hospital
(think - elf on a shelf). When a team
member happens to find her, that team member must write a compliment about
another team member and post it in the lunchroom, on the board “Barbie Says”. Then the team member has to hide her again
for the next person to find.
The
last time I saw Barbie she was in a winter coat made of cotton balls and bandage
material (because it is winter here in Michigan and she was cold).
Work
and fun are not mutually exclusive. We
can create a more successful work environment by simply creating and allowing a
little fun.
Lead
well and have some fun.
Dr.
Julie Cappel
“People
rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” Dale Carnegie
