Xavier couldn’t remember the last time he had fun. His marriage was strained, his children distant and work had become a drag. He had spent so much of his time and energy being serious that he’d forgotten what it was like to feel joy.
But a conversation with an old friend jolted him into action. As he listened to his friend recount moments spent with his grandchildren, friends and enjoying various hobbies, Xavier realised he was jealous of how full his friend’s life was. He vowed to find a way to bring fun back into his personal and professional life.
With the help of an executive coach, Xavier acknowledged that he had long suppressed his playful side. Parental expectations and a fixation on productivity had pushed him into workaholism. His upbringing had instilled a belief that fun was unproductive and indulgent, leading to years of neglect of his emotional needs.
By experimenting with simple activities that brought him joy and reframing his outlook, Xavier reawakened his sense of curiosity and playfulness. He proved to himself that fun and productivity could go hand in hand.
Unfortunately, in the serious world of business, many people think like Xavier once did. Fun is often dismissed as trivial or even counterproductive. In fact, in too many workplaces, fun is treated as a “dirty,” three letter word. These same workplaces may seem productive, but in reality, they are truly uninspiring.
A fun-filled workplace benefits both employees and organisations. When people have fun at work, they’re more engaged, creative and collaborative. From a physiological perspective, fun triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin (also called the “love hormone”), which boost mood, reduce stress and strengthen social bonds.
So how can leaders incorporate fun into organisational life? The answer isn’t showering staff with superficial perks. The real focus should be on building an attractive environment where employees feel empowered to get their work done and have fun.
1. Make work a safe space for fun
To bring out the best in their teams, leaders need to make the workplace a space for authentic self-expression. This involves creating a culture of trust where employees feel safe, and mistakes are normalised as a natural part of the learning process. When people feel safe to express themselves, they are more likely to take creative risks and collaborate effectively. A healthy dose of humour can help reduce tension and keep stress levels in check.
2. Bring joy into the everyday
Encouraging employees to personalise their workspaces and share uplifting content, such as memes, cartoons or inspiring stories, can contribute to a positive work environment. Team chats should be a space where people connect on a human level, not just talk shop. And instead of just acknowledging birthdays, leaders should really make an effort to celebrate them.
3. Pause to celebrate the small wins
Milestones, no matter how small, deserve recognition. Team lunches or virtual gatherings can be meaningful ways to celebrate successful projects or personal achievements. These moments help build a workplace where people genuinely support each other. When work becomes engaging and enjoyable, the days feel shorter and more rewarding.
4. Break routine with play
Providing opportunities for “play time” can help build a true learning culture. For example, leaders can encourage teams to experiment with new ways of working or find ways to make routine tasks more enjoyable. By blending playfulness into the workday, people can transform even mundane tasks into enjoyable and rewarding experiences. Fun breaks between tasks improve attention spans and productivity, and make the entire work experience more fulfilling.
5. Turn learning into an adventure
Inject fun into learning through friendly competitions during brainstorming sessions or problem-solving games. Lunch-and-learn sessions with entertaining speakers are a great way to motivate employees and make information easier to retain. Regular off-site workshops can also break the routine and encourage creative problem-solving. Fun enhances cognitive functions by encouraging divergent thinking, helping individuals and teams approach challenges with fresh perspectives. These activities promote out-of-the-box thinking, which is essential for generating fresh ideas.
6. Set the tone for fun
For many leaders, however, embracing fun requires a mindset shift. It means recognising that fun drives productivity and doesn’t distract from it. It also means modelling the behaviour they want to see. Leaders who are approachable, light-hearted and willing to celebrate success – even playfully – will set the tone for their teams. By injecting fun into the work that needs to be done, they create workplaces that are more effective.
Fun, when embedded thoughtfully, can transform the workplace for everyone. Leaders and organisations that embrace fun will be rewarded with happier employees and stronger results.
“INSEAD, a contraction of “Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires” is a non-profit graduate-only business school that maintains campuses in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.”
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