Fun At Work (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
buckle down, and they help their teams find that balance. Make Fun Part of Your Culture Creating a fun workplace doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come from forcing people to participate in activities they don’t enjoy. It’s about creating a culture where fun feels natural, not manufactured. Start small: • Celebrate a win with donuts or coffee. • Add a funny question to your team’s next meeting agenda. • Encourage employees to share their favorite playlist or movie recommendations. Over time, those little moments of levity can grow into a culture where fun is the norm—and where people want to show up, not just for the paycheck, but for the experience. The Bottom Line Fun at work is the secret ingredient that makes teams stronger, workplaces healthier, and employees more engaged. When done right, it’s a productivity booster, a stress reliever, and a connection builder. Kate Zabriskie is the president of Business Training
ally enjoy. Escape rooms? Bowling? Volunteering? • Create optional, low-pressure events so people can join in without feeling obligated. Idea Four: Make Room for Play A little playfulness can make a big difference: • Have a board game or trivia lunch. • Host a mini contest, like “best Zoom background” or “guess the baby picture.” • Bring in themed dress-up days (like wearing your favor- ite sports team’s gear). The goal isn’t to distract from work—it’s to make work more enjoyable. How Leaders Can Foster Fun If leaders don’t embrace fun, employees won’t either. Here’s how great leaders make fun a priority: Action One: Set the Tone Be the first to laugh, celebrate, and encourage levity. When leaders show it’s okay to have fun, it gives everyone Fun should never feel cliquey or exclusive. Make sure activities and celebrations are accessible to everyone, re- gardless of schedules, preferences, or abilities. Action Three: Balance Fun and Focus else permission to do the same. Action Two: Make It Inclusive Fun isn’t about derailing productivity—it’s about en- hancing it. Great leaders know when to joke and when to
Works, Inc., a Virginia-based tal- ent development firm. She and her team provide onsite, virtu- al, and online soft-skills training courses and workshops to clients in the United States and interna- tionally. For more information, visit www.businesstrainingworks.com.
26
www.boardconvertingnews.com
October 20, 2025
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker