Fun and Disruption at Work

Let's dive into a topic close to my heart that should be on every leader's radar - fun at work. Now, before you raise an eyebrow, hear me out. Fun in the workplace isn't just about ping-pong tables or casual Fridays. It's about creating an environment where creativity blossoms, teams grow stronger, and resilience is built. Drawing from the adventurous spirit of categorizing fun into three types, we can apply these insights to make our workspaces productive, joyous, and cohesive.

Adventures often talk about 3 Types of Fun.

• Type 1 Fun is fun at the moment, and it's fun when you reflect on the experience.
• Type 2 Fun is not fun at the moment, but it's fun when you reflect on the experience.
• Type 3 Fun is not fun at the moment, and it's not fun when you reflect on the experience. (But it makes for great stories and plenty of lessons learned.)

Here's how they apply to the workplace:

• Type 1 Fun: Imagine the laughter shared over lunch, the high-fives after wrapping up a big project, or those impromptu team huddles that end in smiles and ideas flowing. These moments, full of joy and camaraderie, are what Type 1 Fun is all about. It's about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels connected and enjoys being part of the team.
• Type 2 Fun:?Then there's the grind - those head-scratching projects and tight deadlines that seem anything but fun at the moment. But once you've crossed the finish line, you look back with pride and a sense of accomplishment. That's Type 2 Fun. It forges stronger teams and leaves you with stories of how you triumphed together.
• Type 3 Fun:?The tough times and challenges test your mettle and push you to the brink. While they're hard to endure and not something you'd want to relive, the lessons learned and the resilience gained are invaluable. Type 3 Fun might not be enjoyable, but it's essential for growth.

Bringing the Fun Back to Work

So, how often does your team experience these types of fun?

Reflecting on these moments can spark conversations and lead to more intentional efforts to foster a positive, engaging work environment. It's about celebrating the good times, learning from the tough ones, and building a culture where everyone looks forward to what's next.

Learning to navigate these waters with agility and optimism is essential in a world constantly disrupted in small and large keys. As the leader of The Disruption Project at Vanderbilt University , my team and I delve into how embracing disruptive moments can lead to incredible outcomes. By sharing these strategies, I aim to help teams see disruptions not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and, yes, even fun.

Bring Fun to the Disruptions in Your Organization

Ready to infuse your workplace with more fun and resilience? I'm here to share insights on turning disruptions into opportunities for growth, innovation, and, most importantly, fun. Let's explore how, together, we can create a workplace that thrives on challenges and celebrates every achievement. Reach out to my speaking agents, Canesha Appleton and Michele Lucia , to learn more. Here's to making work an adventure worth embarking on every single day!

Make it a great day!

Patrick

P.S. Accompanying this article is a photo of me experiencing Type 1 Fun (and a little of Fun 2), taking a breather at the summit of Mt. Elbert in Colorado. It's a reminder that reaching new heights, whether on a mountain or in our professional lives, is not just about the destination but the joy and camaraderie along the journey.