power of a playful spirit at work, The

Journal for Quality and Participation, The, Jul/Aug 1995 by Berg, Deanna H

The playful activities transformed a situation in which people were trying to get out of attending training classes to one with people trying to get into them. The classes have been so successful that the Batavia trainers were asked by National Joint Programs to travel to other Ford plants and talk about Training Can be Fun.

* To help to weld a team out of senior managers with 40 percent new people, Bennett asked each person to bring a humorous gift that their teammates could use to help the plant be successful.

The same managers used Playdoh to create a team sculpture of something that represented how they would celebrate when their plant was successful. According to Bruce, high levels of trust, open communication and shared vision were achieved much more quickly than would have been possible by more traditional activities.

Final thoughts

Quality, flexibility, speed and innovation are all considered essential to compete successfully in the global marketplace. All of these are dependent upon having good people, and today's good workers are drawn toward organizations that have positive, playful work environments, offering opportunities to use their creative skills. (5)

Companies that provide a fun, pleasant, supportive work environment will have the edge in attracting superior people who view work as a joy and have abundant energy, enthusiasm and talents to focus toward organizational goals. They will also unleash all of the undiscovered innovators-in-waiting who have worked there for years, with no one, including themselves, having an awareness of how much more they could contribute.

We spend too much time at work not to have fun while we're there; When we wait until we finish our work to play we run the risk of living less joyful lives and operating less successful companies.

1. "The four great chords of mental health are the ability to love, to work, to play and to think soundly." (Ashley Montagu, Ph.D.)

"For good health, you should laugh at least 10 times a day, and five of those should be at yourself." (Jeff Justice, Corporate Comedy)

"Play teaches the habits most needed for intellectual growth." (Bruno Bettleheim)

2. 25 ways to make fun and play work for you...

* Jump rope.

* Play a musical instrument.

* Create five ways to add fun to your job.

* Hug someone or ask someone to hug you.

* Engage in what Jordan Ayan calls "sponge sessions", where you take a walk and try to absorb as many new ideas as you can.

* Get wet; if you can't shower, bathe or swim, listen to ocean music; some companies have installed Endless Pools or large group jacuzzis for those who want to take water breaks.

* Have a toy box in your office; when you get stuck in a project pull out a toy a see what new ideas are triggered.

* Take a Hunza Holiday (Sit and do absolutely nothing--named for tribe in Central Asia renowned for their health and longevity, who do nothing for five minutes of every hour.)

* Think of the craziest idea you've tried at work; if you haven't done anything crazy, think of something you could do.