Rewards are the final component for management to make employee happiness a part of a company’s culture. See our. Tips for Starting New Job as Manager: You might be a bit tensed, but don’t let that affect your work. They must measure effectiveness by how well each member is contributing to the overall impact, dialogue, thinking and outcomes of the group. 4. For more information, see our Cookie Policy. If you step back, you will see that simplicity is becoming the new normal. Keep the organization alive by enabling a culture that embraces new perspectives and keeps people on their toes. Clarified organizational structure: In many organizations, the hierarchy of the team is a vital element that contributes to productivity. The workplace and the world are changing fast and it’s important to embrace the basics that serve as the foundation for how we think, act and innovate new products, services and the technological advancements that support them. Leave work at home. Recognize Good Work. My father would tell me that the more simple you make things, the more believable, trustworthy and effective you will be with people. Though I was there to communicate and be transparent, these meetings also served as forums to identify the real leaders and the lifters versus the loafers and the leeches (those that would enable the confusion and disruption). Just check out Redbull Cape Town’s office above. HOW FUN IS PRODUCTIVE Imagine a work world where people love their work environment, and they are calm, stress-free and happy all day long. Be a Great Communicator; Hold No Secrets. As we all know a good employer brand is essential reducing attrition at the workplace. Never allow your employees to get complacent. 4. Still, if you can keep the previous four tips in action, then fun—or a sense of enjoyment and being able to be yourself at work—becomes a more natural part of everyone’s job. At first, she said all of the right things (which is exactly what people didn’t want to hear). While this may initially mean a slower path to a solution, it contributes greatly to people’s personal growth and development. 3. Be productive during the day and you will be able to enjoy your life at home. Work beside your employees. Be human and be approachable. Each installment, is two tips ranging from avoiding the dreaded micromanagement, to managing a multigenerational workforce, cultivating better listening skills, and developing an understanding of your organization's politics. Then, she shocked the room by expressing dissatisfaction with her lack of leadership. Invite your employees dance and sing, and then create a video, such as our Michael Jackson Tribute, or this incredible lip dub. People are more curious now than ever before and they want to know who their boss is as a person. Encourage your employees to be their best by discovering how they best fit within the team and throughout the organization. 56. Just ask Apple! Empower your people to be entrepreneurial and to test their ideas and ideals. Stop being so structured about how you communicate. Don’t Hide Behind the Title; Be The Real You. Being a manager often requires that you make tough decisions and stand for what you believe in. 2. Oftentimes they seek relevancy when they begin to feel more vulnerable. Games can make mundane tasks more fun. I help organizations build high-performance leaders, teams and cultures focused on inclusion and the power of individuality. In a fast-changing marketplace, engaging employees and discovering their passions are best achieved when people feel valued and empowered to think, act and innovate in ways that come most naturally to them. It’s boring if your … Help them stretch their thinking and ability. You can change your cookie choices and withdraw your consent in your settings at any time. Here’s what no one tells you about going from employee to management. For example, when I was in the c-suite, I often held informal (at times impromptu) employee town hall forums. A manager’s three major levers for better outcomes are: people—hiring, coaching, and matching the right person with the right role; purpose—clarity on what success looks like; and process—clarity on how to best work together. Having a regular board game date with your colleagues can give you something to look forward to, as well as helping you bond with the people you're spending 40-plus hours a week with. I learned that people simply wanted to know what was going on. Allow People to Fail;  Encourage Employees to Test Their Ideas. In the 21st century workplace, their responsibility is to find interconnection points that exist between each cluster to guide and direct the focus and the thinking. They need to simplify their approach and make it more fun and enjoyable for employees as this will increase productively, engagement and desired outcomes. The passionate worker is always looking to provide and create impact through long-term sustainable growth. So don't you think we should try and make it a little fun? Leaders must now play the role of “think tank” facilitators – guiding clusters of strategic topics that roll-up to specific organizational goals and objectives. If my team is not happy or not producing good work, then I am not doing a good job. They want a workplace that is challenging, encourages trial and error and makes them feel that they matter. Here’s the thing: employees need a work space that is separate from home to maintain that all important work/life balance, but that doesn’t mean work can’t be cozy and homelike. Don’t just be a provider, but rather focus on being an enabler of opportunities. I recently keynoted an event where a senior executive was asked to share a few words about her leadership experience with the organization. Incorporate passionate endeavors to make work fun by forming a group with likeminded people. This website uses cookies to improve service and provide tailored ads. Just because you are a great sales person doesn’t mean you will be an effective leader. Once you plan it, … She went on to say that even though she knew that people were unhappy with the organization’s leadership protocols, style and approach – that she regretted not saying or doing anything about. Buy a Wii to encourage exercise. Some will immediately respond to your cues while others will want more time before they join the fun. According to Bob Pike, author of The Fun Minute Manager, a fun work environment is one in which formal and informal activities occur regularly that are designed to uplift people’s spirits and remind people of their value to their managers, their organization, and to each other. Great communication is most effective when it is two-way and everyone is held accountable. When this happens, Dunn advises, “Say yes to everything. Long stretches of concentrated work demand that your brain and body recharge, and you should be doing so. Employees want leaders that are likeable, understand their needs, can authentically motivate people and know how to energize a workplace culture to generate the best results for the organization. 5. An easy change of scenery can make a huge difference in how your team will work together, and the decisions you’ll make—in a very positive way. In business, the best leaders diffuse this tendency by asking good questions, insisting on decisions based on real data, and not edicting results. It’s about allowing employees to be passionate about their work and not so confined to their immediate roles and responsibilities. Great leaders are the ones that allow their employees to discover their passion. She concluded by talking about “courageous leadership” and why the workplace demands it now more than ever before. Build Teams That Last; Allow Them to Be Think-Tanks. Create a fantasy football … Creating a work environment in which employees feel happy and productive requires frequent and open communication, regular recognition of achievements, and constructive feedback. Get started with a free trial today. Assessing your organization's change readiness, Building transparency into your work culture, Knowing the difference between quitting and refocusing, Dealing with a public insult from your boss, Dealing with a new boss off to a bad start, The difference between creativity and innovation, Telling someone how they are viewed by others, Leading someone with a low EQ (emotional quotient), Why it's smart to share your uncertainties, From a technical role to a management role. I know that as a leader your primary responsibility is to facilitate the team in a way that gets the work done. 10) Abuse the title. My goal is to prepare organizations to lead in the age of personalization– to achieve maximum growth and significance in the workplace and marketplace - as the individual defines the business. Have regular one on ones with their team to fix problems, remove blockers, give and receive feedback, shop ideas, and listen to what matters to them. Fun can enhance motivation. Make the workplace an environment where people are continuously growing and thinking big! Make it Voluntary: Don’t force feed fun to your employees. Be a great communicator  who uses  all available methods to define your expectations and set the tone for your department or organization. Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There is a reason it transcends centuries and generations because its principals are easy to understand. Exercise is known to boost the chemicals in your brain that create a good mood, and the energy you burn biking will also allow your body to experience less tension. Well-defined roles: In order for employees to work effectively, they need to have a clear understanding of their job and the outcomes they need to achieve. 6. It’s a cocoon of creativity. Even with hundreds of available resources, stepping into a management role for the first time can feel a little like jumping out of … Establish standards and best practices that everyone can enjoy, learn from and improve along the way. Give your employees the room to explore and unleash their passion. He was a keen observer of people and always curious to understand what made leaders effective, trustworthy and reliable. You are, essentially, seeing them use their skills in a “sandbox”, before they are actually needed. It has a shag carpet, a bar, couches and plenty of open lighting. 55. "I try to do an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening," she says. People desire a “leadership refresh” in their organizations. The workplace is becoming more fragile and employees want to know what they are ultimately being held accountable for and what they can or cannot do. We and third parties such as our customers, partners, and service providers use cookies and similar technologies ("cookies") to provide and secure our Services, to understand and improve their performance, and to serve relevant ads (including job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Time management, in a nutshell, is planning the amount of time you and your team spend on tasks. To become an effective leader in the 21 st century workplace, you must do six things to make the workplace exciting again. Of course, you want them to take their breaks away from their desks, so try to provide a fun and relaxing ‘breakout area’ … Employees are fed up with the office politics and corporate rat-race and  are ready to start having fun again. Rather, you must concentrate on the job and don’t allow the position or rank go to the head. Read the Declaration of Independence. Fun contributes to the creation of an environment that nurtures and sustains what we call employee 'want to'. Your job is to make yourself a bit more human and approachable. The better you get at managing time, the more effective you will be as a manager. If the work environment is formal, … If you're new to the organization, you should have observed and learned the dress code during the interview process. No secrets allowed. The objective was to communicate the truth about growing tension points and/or concerns that people had about the direction of the organization. They are tired of excuses and just want people to be real about how they feel and honest about what needs to be accomplished. That mindset does not make a good manager. In other words, leaders purposely make things more difficult for others to make themselves appear smarter and more capable than their peers. In this interview, Jill talks about what it takes to be a happy manager despite the poor economy, how social media can create a happier work environment, and … I'm just saying that one tool you really should think a little more about is fun. Third symptom: gossiping, joking and making fun of the manager, other staff members, social and political occurrences, etc. Gossip and intrigue are dangerous and must be addressed. People will naturally gravitate toward you if you allow your likeability and approachability to flourish. Get down in the trenches and do the same work alongside your employees sometimes. Leaders must allow team building to become more organic, less instructional and more enabled by the members of the team themselves. People want leaders they can relate to and respect as people. One great way to do this, is through self…. They are a way to recognize all of the hard work, enthusiasm and positive spirit that teams bring to work. A scope for fun activities at work provides your employees with much need breaks and helps create a more efficient workforce. Never be vague and run the risk of losing trust from others. Leadership effectiveness is more than just the influence a “job title” gives you. If like us, you prefer it when work is fun – then take a moment to read through some inspiration. You cannot put a price on 'want to'. Make Work Fulfilling. Managers need to outline the expectations of each role. “Work alongside them on occasion as a reminder that you know your stuff.” 9. The real impact of leadership is when you can reveal the person that is behind the title. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. Make sure they’re fun, and seem like a reward in and of itself. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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If you want your team to stay motivated and refreshed, you should be encouraging them to take regular breaks. If you gamify tasks it could make even the most uninspired employee to take part. A change of scenery can sometimes have a major impact on your level of happiness. Amanda Sibley, HubSpot's demand generation manager, suggests setting aside specific time for email -- and trying not look at it in between, especially if you have a lot of your own work to get done that day. In this case, informal communication channels with staff members must be established, with a goal to eliminate the causes of this symptom.