People do better work when they like where they work.
While the Silicon Valley start-ups get all the press, what with their foosball tables and fancy-schmancy food courts, the truth is that it doesn’t take much to create an environment where people like coming to work.
What it does require is intentionality.
And leadership that understands one can take their work seriously without having to take themselves seriously. Outdoor volleyball courts are great, and indoor slides that connect conference rooms are fun, but sometimes it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference.
I never designed our Celebrate Everything Calendar to be the ideal office accessory for lifting spirits and boosting comradery, but according to emails I get, it certainly is. I mean, I always envisioned people being uplifted by the artwork and inspired by the unusual holidays, but it’s been neat to hear from people how the calendar is making an impact at work.
One person told me that they have one of the calendars in the copy room. While waiting for the copier to finish its thing, they check out the day’s holiday and discuss fun ways to make it happen.
An executive reported that one of the best ways to start the day is being curious to what we have recommended on the calendar. She also reports that her boyfriend insisting on taking a calendar to his office, where there is a ritual in the morning for his co-workers to stop by to take a look at what’s in store for the day.
And a leader at a Fortune 100 company uses hers to come up with icebreaker questions for weekly team meetings. She says it injects levity and promotes her team getting to know each other a little better before they have to dive into work items.
Who knew?
Thanks to red tape, tight deadlines, demanding customers, and the ongoing challenge to do more with less, work has a reputation for being intense. The frequent smiles, stress-relieving chuckles, and inspiring reminders that this humble calendar can bring to a workplace go a long way in keeping people connected. In its own small way, it just makes the workplace a little more more fun.
And people do better work when they like where they work.
Just think of the options for spicing up a meeting held on Geek Pride Day.
What kind of customer outreach promotion could you run on National Compliment Day?
Or what if you set your sales deadline for Bacon Day and got busy planning the celebration for when you meet your quota?
If you’d like to Adultitis-proof your workplace (or help someone else Adultitis-proof theirs), the 2017 Celebrate Everything calendar — complete with 365 real holidays — is just the ticket. Buy 5 or more and save big, making it a great gift option for your staff, clients, or colleagues. Learn more here!
More than anything, I hope this post serves as a reminder of the power of little things, and how a fun place to work isn’t as far off as you might think.
Great article guys!
There’s also research to support your ideas further, where behavioural economists found people actually responded more productively, over a sustained period of time, after being rewarded with pizza and compliments rather than financial incentives such as bonuses or pay rises! Surely every company, whatever type can get some pizza in for their team!
Also, totally supports the idea that we’re moving into a phase of humanity where we people want to do meaningful work. Here’s to encouraging curiosity and continuous learning around all the things that matter to us individually.
Thanks for the contribution, Sam! I’ve heard similar things about compensation. I definitely think work often gets a bad wrap. It’s not that we don’t want to work; it’s that we want to do meaningful work. So right on!