Workjoy #2 podcast notes
Great chatting with Monty today. Click here to connect with Slingshot group
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Here’s how you know you’re not in a joyful work environment
When my grandmother died, my boss forced me to provide him with a copy of her death certificate and proof that she was indeed my grandmother before he would grant me time off to attend her funeral. When my grandfather died a month later, he refused to let me go to the funeral because he said I couldn’t pull “that trick” again. – Pam
Stacey also understands what it means to have a bad day at work. Stacey is a driving examiner at the DMV in Atwood Illinois. One day she got into a car to give a woman in her driving test. The women mistakenly put the car in reverse and backed into a tree. So she put the car in drive, accelerated, jumped the curb and flew through the plate glass windom at the DMV, injuring Stacey. What kills me up about the article is the last line. She was unhurt, but failed the test.
Lance Grangruth is a carpenter in Duluth Minnesota. One day while Lance was installing some dry wall when he accidentally shot a nail (I am not making this up) an inch and a half into his head from his nail gun. Now listen to Lance’s response. “I didn’t actually feel it go in. I tried to take my hat off and it wouldn’t come off.” Don’t you hate it when you tack your hat to your head. You’ll be pleased to note that the nail penetrated harmlessly at a crevasse between the two lobes and Lance was relatively unharmed.
“You know you’re working in a JOYFUL work environment when……”
People are genuinely engaged in what they consider “meaningful work”!
How do you find meaning in selling insurance. How do you find meaning in these jobs. Mike Roe was interview by Bill O’Reilly and listed these as he five worst jobs on the show Dirty Jobs.
The first one is sewer inspector.
The second one is snake wrangler.
Here’s how he described it. ROWE: You catch the water snake, and you make it vomit. And then you look under a microscope at the puke to make sure it is of a healthy consistency.
The third one is Chicken sexer.
“Sadly, the organs in question on a baby chick are located in its rectum”,
Fourth is horse inseminator.
The last one: shark suit tester.
A shark suit is a relatively new invention that borrows from the old-time suit of armor. It’s made with a higher-grade steel and a much smaller weave. You put on the suit; you hop in the water; you create a bloodbath of chum. The sharks come in, and you let them bite you. If you live, the suit works. If you don’t, it’s unfortunate.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritancefrom the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23,24
Some of you might be thinking, “But you don’t know my boss. You don’t know how bad my job is.” Here’s the verse just before that verse,
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Conversation cannot be contained
When people feel connected to one another, they can’t help but relate to one another on many levels. Personal “connectivity” does not undermine productivity. In fact, it elevates productivity. If the work environment feels more like a library than a coffee house, it’s likely missing the joy factor. Tip: Design office spaces with ample natural light, current furnishings and colors, open spaces for staff meetings and socializing and of course, a coffee bar with an open food policy. Foster an environment where there is a slight “buzz” in the air that comes naturally from human connection.
EDITORIAL
15 Topics Of Conversation You Should Avoid Like The Plague At Work
1. Sex. Do the illegal and abhorrent recent and historic antics of Hurricane Harvey Weinstein not convince you to ever bring up the subject or allude to it in any way?
2. How much things cost.
3. Your religious or spiritual journey.
4. Your childhood.
5. How popular you are.
6. Body parts. Don’t talk about your infected toe, your oozing ear, ingrown hairs, anything.
7. Body functions. I once worked with a woman who let everyone know she needed more fiber and why.
8. Your weight or anyone else’s weight.
9. Jokes that are offensive either because they are sexist, racist, ageist or at anyone’s expense ever.
10. The good old days.
11. A grudge with coworkers. Badmouth no one. Do not disparage someone you work with, spread gossip or rumors or even talk about his or her performance in a negative light. 12. Who you voted for and why.
13. Unkind criticism.
14. Your romantic life.
15. Family troubles.
Creativity flourishes
The more joyful the environment, the more people are free to engage in ideation. There is a freedom that comes with the joyful disposition of others. A freedom to explore new ways of doing things better. TIP: Plan occasional brainstorm sessions including everyone. No idea is a bad idea. Keep it flowing by not over analyzing or rushing to the paralyzing logistics.
People have each other’s back. Joyful teams develop a sense of interdependence with their co-workers. There is a sense that “we’re all in this together”. And their common purpose fuels a sense of healthy team work. Competition is undermined by a spirit of mutual success. TIP: Be sure to call out both individual and corporate wins in public. Praising the team for their mutual efforts and successes fuels a spirit of camaraderie and positivity.
Passive aggressive
Complain up not down.
“I know Jonathan pretty well and that doesn’t sound like him”
“Susan Kennedy. “You’re staff loves you”
Failure is considered a part of the process
Winston Churchill said, “the road to success is paved with failure”. Work places that allow for people to experiment with new ideas even when they fail, are likely to foster growth not only among the people who serve there, but in the overall mission of the organization. TIP: Foster a culture of critical evaluation that not only recognizes what worked, but also what didn’t work and why. This can be facilitated in a way that elevates people even when they fail at an attempt that was carefully planned and executed. No risk…no reward.
“My dad encouraged us to fail. Growing up, he would ask us what we failed at that week. If we didn’t have something, he would be disappointed. It changed my mindset at an early age that failure is not the outcome, failure is not trying. Don’t be afraid to fail.”
Do you agree with that mindset. How about if I told you that Sara Blakely is the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire.
Work flows naturally….and then some!
Joyful work environments not only afford an atmosphere where people get the job done, they often go above and beyond the expected by delivering tasks early, with greater quality and out-comes . Their motivation is fueled by a positive environment where precision praise is common and celebration just happens. TIP: Recognize the remarkable contribution of people by rewarding them with everything from public recognition promotions. People who feel un-noticed or under- appreciated are less motivated to contribute their best work. And sometimes will choose to work elsewhere.
Quality people outwork their job description
People feel secure
Organizations are like families. And just like children feel more secure when Mom and Dad are thriving, employees feel more secure when leadership has their act together. Vision clarity, missional strategy and precision branding all help fuel a sense of organizational health and future success. TIP: Experienced leaders know that in the real world, “vision leaks, and mission drifts”. Therefore, the best leaders consistently keep the team secure and on track by amplifying their deep conviction as to why we do what we do and how we go about accomplishing it. Unless the vision, mission and values filter down in to every fiber of the organization, we risk them becoming only platitudes that look good on a wall but have little effect on the people who makes things happen.
People are grateful
The healthiest work environments are filled with people who love their work. And more importantly they love where they work. And when that’s the case, they don’t hold back from sharing how grateful they are to be working there. They are actually proud to say that they work there! You’ve likely, at least “tasted” the horrible feeling of a negative work environment. Few things compare to the emotional drain of this kind of work culture. TIP: Fuel a grateful team by promoting a joyful work environment with calculated effort on a weekly basis. Without a deliberate action on your part as a leader, a positive culture will eventually erode. It is your job to keep the vision clear, the mission on point, and the culture healthy. Start by engaging one of one with each of your team members affirming them for the work they day and why it makes a difference to the organization.
Gratitude is the antidote to anxiety. Philippians 4
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