Perception Isn't Always Reality
Fresh off what I would define as a successful trip to Des Moines, I found some time to reflect on my drive back to Kansas City. On Tuesday, August 29th, I spoke to the USDA in the morning and a group of 85 corporate meeting planners at the Midwest Speaker's Showcase in the afternoon. In both sessions I referenced the negative perception the word F.U.N. has in the workplace. For years, speakers bureaus, speakers and some corporate executives have been telling me that I should be cautious marketing F.U.N.
as the cornerstone of my service offering. The reason, they advised, was that many organizations saw F.U.N. as an impediment to productivity.
Despite this advice, I decided to move forward preaching the importance of connecting to life through F.U.N. Why? Because I could not disagree more with the philosophy that F.U.N. limits productivity! I know that there's not an organization, association or industry out there not currently looking for ways to improve employee engagement, reduce attrition or create the workplace where individuals actually desire to come to work.
Businesses are looking to have more F.U.N. in the workplace. They just call it something different.
My first job fresh out of college was working in a call center for an insurance company. My colleagues called me "Tigger" as I was always bouncing about. One day before our shift a group of coworkers called me over to chat. One asked me, "Paul, are you always this upbeat and optimistic?" To which I responded, "this is me and the only way I've ever known so YES!" As I walked away I heard someone in the group say to the others, "give it time, this place will get to him." I couldn't believe it! My whole life up to this point I was told that I could accomplish anything, inspire the masses or even change the world.
However, here I was in my first job in the real world hearing that my optimism was short lived and that this environment would alter my state of mind.
For years I believe many individuals have allowed their environments to shape their emotions. Why? Wouldn't it make more sense to envision the emotion we want to FEEL and allow that emotion to help shape the environment in which we live?
Life is all about perspective. F.U.N. can be had in the workplace and in life, if done with purpose. I'm not talking about being silly, telling jokes and playing games all day. When I reference F.U.N. I'm talking about gravitating towards the things that give you strength, accepting who you are or "foundation" as an individual, taking the time to "understand others" and identifying "next steps" in promoting the environment you seek.
Moving forward, I'd like to challenge all of you reading this to find ways to have more F.U.N. in life, including in the workplace.
Lead an uplifting meeting, share a kind word to a stranger, find time to watch a funny movie, tell a customer what you appreciate about them or anything else you feel would lift you up! You'd be amazed at the difference altering your perspective could make in creating the environment in which you desire to live. And if you or your organization need a little help finding ways to have more F.U.N. with purpose? Well you know where to find me!
