Forced enjoyment in the workplace: Generating team-building activities that employees will actually enjoy
Following a long six-hour out-of-town conference, Sandy’s main desire was to relax in her hotel room, donning a comfortable bathrobe and watching a classic film. However, her plans took an unexpected turn when she was dragged to a karaoke bar alongside her manager and four coworkers.
Maria and Sam were easily convinced to go on the outing after their boss suggested it. However, Sandy and Matt seemed unsure and mentioned that they were tired. The manager jokingly called them “party poopers” and insisted that they would feel better after a short nap. Sandy felt pressured to go along with the plans, especially since she already felt self-conscious about being the oldest member of the team.
With a hint of anxiety, she observed Sam’s completion of his performance to Robin Thicke’s controversial song “Blurred Lines.” She couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed, considering it an inappropriate selection due to its explicit lyrics. As her turn approached, she decided on “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, even though the song did not accurately reflect her current state of mind.
“Wasn’t that enjoyable?” her supervisor exclaimed as she stepped down from the stage.
Sandy clenched her jaw and expressed agreement by nodding. Deep down, she desperately wanted to shout, “No, you fool! I felt incredibly foolish. What is enjoyable about forcing me into something I had no desire to participate in?”
In today’s world, organizations put a lot of effort into creating a positive company culture, and for good reason. This is particularly important when there is a low unemployment rate, as employers must do everything they can to stand out. A robust workplace culture not only attracts talented individuals but also motivates existing employees to stay.
Leaders often strive to find ways to make work more enjoyable, as they believe that people like to have fun. There are numerous stories about workplaces that have ping-pong tables, cereal bars, and even allow employees to bring their pets to work. These stories fuel the desire among leaders to create a more enjoyable work environment. In fact, it is rumored that it is more difficult to get a job at Zappos than it is to get into Harvard, which leads some executives to believe that if they were to install a giant ball pit for employees like Zappos did, it would significantly increase the number of job applications they receive.
It is perfectly fine to gain knowledge about how other organizations improve employee morale and contemplate whether those practices would be suitable for your workplace. However, it is important to understand that the key to developing a company culture lies in defining your own mission statement, core values, unique approaches, and understanding what brings enjoyment to your employees. Apart from just having fun, creating a strong work culture also involves prioritizing initiatives like fostering open communication, promoting transparency, and building trust.
Methods to encourage authentic enjoyment
As illustrated by the example of Sandy in the beginning, when fun becomes obligatory, it often feels like the complete antithesis of actual enjoyment. Whether in a professional setting or outside of it, individuals typically have a dislike for being instructed on what they should do. The term “mandatory” evokes thoughts of undesirable tasks like paying taxes, enduring lengthy meetings, or visiting a relative you’d prefer to avoid after receiving a lecture from your mother about familial duties. Not exactly pleasant, right?
For leaders who genuinely want to foster a more positive work environment, there are several strategies they can employ:
Allow employees to choose
Let them choose whether or not they want to participate in activities without any negative consequences. Eliminate any expectations or pressure for employees to join in and refrain from labeling them as anti-social. Avoid penalizing their performance review based on their level of participation in teamwork activities.
Consider this perspective: Numerous contemporary businesses make significant efforts to emphasize their commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and creating a psychologically safe environment at work. If you fail to appreciate and respect individual preferences regarding what individuals find enjoyable, what sort of message does that convey about your attitude towards respecting differences?
It is important to acknowledge that individuals often have valid reasons for avoiding certain things, even if they do not openly share their rationale. For example, someone who used to struggle with alcoholism might wisely choose to decline drinks after work in order to avoid temptation. However, even if the reason is simply a personal preference, it should still be respected. There is nothing inherently wrong with individuals wanting to focus on their work and then go home afterwards.
Ask for opinions
Instead of copying others, find out what your colleagues find enjoyable. This will encourage them to be more engaged and increase the chances of their active participation. You can gather their thoughts by conducting surveys, organizing brainstorming sessions, or even forming a social committee. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure that everyone has the opportunity to express their ideas. While it’s fantastic that a group of people who love video games enjoys hosting tournaments, make sure to include a diverse range of activities.
Organize events during the regular working hours
If employees are given the opportunity to either continue working at their desks or participate in a collective activity like watching a comedy film on Friday afternoons, many of them would prefer the latter. This does not mean that activities outside of work are prohibited, but if they are scheduled during company time, it is more likely that more employees will attend. This approach not only makes it feel like a special treat for the employees, but also avoids issues such as parents having difficulties finding childcare.
Keep an eye on the expenses
Just like having fun during work hours can enhance the enjoyment, the same goes for having fun on the company’s expenses. By covering the costs, it eliminates any hesitation for people on a tight budget to participate. Additionally, keep in mind that there are plenty of free or inexpensive alternatives available, such as volunteering together, organizing a potluck during lunchtime, creating a Slack channel for sharing pet pictures, or dressing up for Halloween.
Promote natural and spontaneous fun
When a player from the San Diego Padres hits a home run, his teammates celebrate by placing a colorful sombrero on his head after he completes the bases. It is unlikely that this idea was suggested by management; it most likely developed organically from conversations among the players. Similar situations can arise in an office setting. It is important to encourage staff members to embrace their ideas for team bonding and entertainment that they find exciting. Provide them with the necessary resources such as space, time, and funding. Instead of purchasing a foosball table that takes up space in the break room, consider investing in a quality coffee machine and comfortable chairs for your team to relax and chat in.
Demonstrate a reason
Do you have a team that dislikes participating in team-building activities? These obligatory fun activities often annoy employees because they believe it is a waste of time that could be better spent on “real” projects. To alleviate some of their concerns, try explaining the purpose behind the chosen activity. What do you aim to achieve from it? Attitudes may shift when they understand how it will enhance teamwork, improve problem-solving skills, or increase creativity.
Employers often view business trips as an opportunity to foster camaraderie within their teams. Since employees are away from their families and personal responsibilities, it seems fitting to spend this time bonding with coworkers. In fact, some employees share this sentiment and enjoy the idea of exploring a new city with their colleagues after a conference or having meals together instead of being alone.
Similar to other enjoyable work-related activities, it is important to offer employees choices. Some individuals may feel physically drained after attending numerous meetings throughout the day. Introverts might have used up all their social energy while networking at a conference and may require some time alone. Parents may prefer to catch up on personal matters regarding their home life. And, like Sandy, some individuals may simply appreciate the idea of having some personal time instead of watching their colleagues sing songs by Imagine Dragons.
When it comes to business travel and enjoyment, it is best to avoid making colleagues share hotel rooms. While there may be some individuals who actually enjoy rooming with someone else and wish to do so, many people feel very uncomfortable in such situations. It is not enjoyable to have memories of hearing a colleague snore loudly like a hibernating bear or witnessing their face contort when you emerge from the bathroom in the morning.
(This article originally appeared elsewhere on the web as part of a MartinBot feedreader exercise where I am unsure where the bot got it from. As such I am unsure if the scenarios presented represent the original, or are completely reimagined, which is a little disconcerting! I am sorry I can not attribute it. If it is your work, please let me know).
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