by Melissa Dutmers on February 7, 2010 · 3 comments
The fisherman is in a band. I ventured down to listen to them play this weekend and I observed something taking place that was playful, creative and focused. What unfolded was an amazing scene of positive, productive teamwork that delivered results. Ask any manager and these characteristics are what they are trying to create in their teams and often struggle to do so.
I have an important disclaimer to share before going any further. I’m still recovering from 15 years of how BIG, Fortune 100 companies view fun — so I’m still learning about fun too. What I do know is that if you need a lesson in how you can use fun to foster successful teams, corporate land is not the place to look. Instead, observe that which inspires you. The fisherman inspires me.
What took place that fine evening as I listened to the fisherman and ‘the boys’ is a lesson in how fun can help your team. The interplay of fun, design, and practice was fascinating. The lite, easygoing atmosphere lent itself to creative collaboration, real time feedback, and continual design to make the music better. “A little lighter on the drums” one would say. “We need to add in a bass solo here.” One of ‘the boys’ would start to play and the others would fold in their style one by one. It wasn’t forced; there was no written agenda to follow. The creative design process of hear one another, create together, and deliver was beautiful! Laughter was prevalent. They would take breaks, stretch and chat over a beer. Then back to practice. This ebb and flow of casual teamwork continued throughout the evening and it’s how they come together every time they play together. It’s how they create and innovate. It’s how they practice. It’s how they get better every time. Corporate land could learn a lot about teamwork from the fisherman and the boys.
Here are three things to consider when kick starting some fun in corporate land.
- Get out of your cubicles and go somewhere else. Anywhere really. Anywhere but cubicles.
Put some music on. Draw. Brainstorm. Take breaks. Enjoy some good food and drink together — not the crappy sugar filled, partially hydrogenated poison you often find in a meeting. This crap will only make everyone crash and be cranky once they come down from their sugar buzz.
- Don’t expect that fun=successful teamwork from one ‘team building activity.’
Ever been to a corporate off-site? Don’t be fooled. It takes a while to build a level of comfort where team members can give real time feedback to one another without triggering cat fights and ego wars. Fun requires investment in the long term.
- Fold in fun to all work and keep it lite.
I am convinced that fun is a key quality for a successful team and I’m not talkin’ about the ‘corporate sponsored” picnic. I’m talkin’ about the recognition that spending time having fun is actually about creating a connectedness that allows for the design process to flourish.
Just for kicks, do a Google search on “fun and teamwork.” The first result is an article from eHow.com. The author’s article makes me think that my aunt Eleanor in Minnesota knows more about fun. The fourth result in Google is a link to Fun with Larry Lipman. I say no more because it would be too unkind. “Fun and teamwork” is a topic in desperate need of some mind-blowin’, knock your socks off creativity! I think I’ll write a book on this topic after I’m finished with my current undertaking, “HOW TO LEAD THE **** OUT OF CHANGE” coming out this spring. Get on the list and be the first to hear about it when I launch!
What would you add to this list of things to consider when kick starting some fun in corporate land? What has worked for you?
Cheers to a great week everyone — go make some fun!
Melissa
Photo credit danieljohnsonjr
by Melissa Dutmers on January 31, 2010 · 5 comments
I’m flying back from a trip to Minnesota where I attended the funeral services of a dear family friend who made a choice to stop kidney dialysis two weeks prior. Prior to leaving for my trip to Minnesota, I was N-E-R-V-O-U-S and “emotional.” The fisherman stepped up as he always does – he listened, gathered tissues, and reminded me that it’s ok to be ‘in it.’ Tears were right at the surface – ready, waiting, for any story, song, or cute dog to trigger a nose-blowin’ tear fest. I knew I wanted to participate in the celebration of Ron’s life and honor his transition into the next phase of his journey. I also wanted to be a source of strength and calm for my Mom, as Ron was her best friend and companion and a big part of our entire family. However, my moxie was nowhere to be found.
Anyway, prior to and during my travels, I pulled out some tools of intention that proved to be useful, helpful, inspirational and applicable to leading change in work + life. I’m pleased as a punch to report that these tools worked and helped me prepare for and be in an emotional and stressful situation with grace and presence. No martinis needed! I”m not much of a drinker, but I understand the power of a good glass of gin.
Normally I wouldn’t tell you about something so personal, but I thought maybe it might be cool to dissect why these tools worked. There are a lot of reasons you’ll find obvious, and there might be a few you didn’t think of.
Whether you’re headed to the boardroom for a big meeting, attending a family event with your loopy relatives (every family has a few), preparing for a job interview, or meeting with your boss to discuss a difficult topic, you might just find these tools of intention useful.
- Acknowledge that you’re nervous and stressed as hell. Once you do this, you can tap into the tools you need. No acknowledgment; no intention. Here’s how I phrased my acknowledgment. “Oh great universe, I’m scared as hell. Let’s get to work.”
- Seek out moxie. I knew I needed some full tilt mojo from elsewhere because my moxie river was not flowin’. In addition to the fisherman – my greatest source of strength – I chatted with my horse riding coach, a balanced woman that speaks horse. At 5’5” and 110 lbs, all muscle, she rides BIG horses with delicious beauty. She is one of my best and most trusted friends. I also connected with my acupuncturist. Prior to my trip, she put tiny little beads in my ear that trigger calming. I’m a big fan of medicinal modalities beyond western medicine. Any who – you know who’s in your circle that can give you moxie. Find them. Talk to them.
- Mind map your intention. Try this – it works. Really. Ask yourself, “How do I want to be in this situation?” Check out what I came up with. I revisited this mind map often during my trip.
- Breathe with intention. Breathe in for three seconds; breathe out for five seconds. All through your nose. My acupuncturist told me to do this and as far as I’m concerned, she is a healer. This woman has had profound impact on my health and well-being. She says breathe in for three and breathe out for five – I do it. You can do the 3×5 exercise anytime, anywhere.
- Be gentle. Stuff happens. Dance with it. Get your mind right. Even with all the intention you muster up, well… things may not turn out as you had hoped or planned. You’re livin’ and learnin’ and stuff happens. Dance with it. Learn from it.
The information and tools shared here dislodged so much of the stupid stuck shit in my brain that I was able to be in this holy occasion exactly how I wanted to be – with intention.
Anyway, yeah. That’s how to be intentional when you’re stressed out. Cool, huh?
How about you? What are your tools of intention?
Cheers~
Melissa
