Workplace Productivity After Game 7
John Patrick
I build high performing customer success teams and systems that build high performing companies - customer success leader, revenue multiplier, people developer.
At 12:47 a.m. the sound of canon fire broke the silence of my sleepy Midwestern community. I stepped outside to enjoy the celebration. Glancing around our neighborhood most houses stood in the darkness – illumined only by the blue hue of televisions. A neighbor stepped through his front door and released a sonorous cry, “Cubs Win! Cubs Win!”
On any other night the drunken shout would have annoyed me. This was not “any other night.” This was Game 7 of the World Series and the Cubs won. At 2:00 a.m. I could still hear music, laughter and the occasional canon (Who owns a functional canon?).
Chicagoland employers, most of your employees had a similar experience. Some of them are still living that experience. What’s a boss to do? How do you motivate productivity the day after Game 7? Here are three ideas.
One: Don’t bother.
Jason Stark, writing for ESPN, quipped,
“At least it didn’t take anything special to wipe out the longest title drought in the history of professional sports. Only the greatest World Series Game 7 ever played. That’s all.”
Hyperbole? Maybe a little, but it’s the best kind of hyperbole. It’s true hyperbole that Chicagoans feel deep in their marrow. Unless they’re operating heavy machinery or performing a heart transplant, let them have a day of underperformance. What’s a little non-productivity every 108 years?
Two: Another sick call? Just smile.
“Hey, boss, we just got another sick call. It’s Bill. He sounds real bad.” You know that Bill hasn’t missed a day of work in 17 years. You know he’s only suffering from championshipitis. Just smile and enjoy that your employees are enjoying this moment. Yes, take care of your customers, but loosen up. There’s always tomorrow.
Three: Order breakfast.
What’s the best cure for celebratory hangovers? Yes, greasy breakfast food and coffee. Order breakfast for your team and enjoy listening to their “where were you” stories. Laugh. Listen. Celebrate.
My train just creaked to a stop in Union Station. People are waking from their Metra slumbers and stumbling toward the daylight. In a few minutes they’ll zombie into your office. You know productivity will be low today, but the stories will be great. In this moment, what type of culture will you build?