LEaD Reads

We should not only individually, but collectively, build and fight for a global movement to make work more fun. Minnaar, 2020

This month’s LEaD Reads, the very first of our blogs as our website commences its maiden voyage, is written by Organisational Development and Design team member, Amy Nash.

Amy says…

I am a fan of the ‘Corporate Rebels’ and their philosophy “Make Work More Fun”. The work we do here in OD+D is non-starter without the engagement of our colleagues around the organisation. The most expertly planned and researched strategies simply cannot work without the essential buy-in and participation of those we design our work for. This is why I believe it matters that there is an element of enjoyment and dare I say, fun, in what we all come to work to do here in the Public Service. Engagement matters and if I’m having fun, I’m engaged.

I’m reminded of the great feminist philosopher, Mary Poppins who once famously said “In every job that must be done there is an element of fun.” Wisdom indeed.

Whilst sadly, the article does not suggest replacing the contents of the watercooler with mojitos, it provides an interesting perspective on employee engagement which you might enjoy.

With this in mind, I’d like to share with you an article I recently read on the CR website entitled ‘Why We Need to Make a Movement to Make Work More Fun’ by Corporate Rebel, Joost Minnaarr.

Minnaarr suggests that the pursuit of success within most organisations tends not to consider the happiness of its employees which can actually be a powerful influencer in achieving success. He looks at global data sets which evidences poor employee engagement as a worldwide issue and suggests this is linked to ignorance about the importance of employee wellbeing stating that organisations don’t seem to evolve in improving this facet or working life.

Quite boldly, there is a suggestion that organisational culture is a parasitic concept that we inherit and pass on to newcomers. The old ‘That’s the way we’ve always done it’ narrative. And so quite by accident the same old same old is passed down through the generations without evolving for the better.  Why is poor engagement accepted as the norm? because you don’t go to work to have fun right? This attitude may have served a purpose once but the inability to leave behind the way we’ve always done things is based on nothing more than myth.

The article goes on to discuss the importance of happy employees, and the value of fun in the workplace. Challenging the old way of thinking, that success by any means is what’s best, and advocating the shift towards what’s best for employees.

If you are developing your leadership and management skills, you might find this article 'Why we need a movement to make work more fun' interesting. It’s best read with a strong cup of coffee and an open mind. Enjoy!