A lovely post from Dan Rockwell.  I am sure this will resinate with you!

Make Serious Work Fun

You can’t mandate fun. But employees in fun environments are 3X more likely to report well-being (Great Place To Work®).

Leaders are too serious. Show me one who plays, and I’ll show you a team that loves their work.

A mischievous leprechaun lives in our house. He recently put a sweet potato in my coffee cup. (See: Blame: It Was a Leprechaun)

Leverage Leprechaun Power:

Our leprechaun injects energy into routine tasks. He’s harmless. He moves coffee cups to remind us he’s watching.

Playful mischief shows people you’re thinking of them. It sparks creativity and lifts moods.

Leaders need leprechaun power!

Hire playful people:

In your next job interview try asking:

• When did you last play?
• What does play look like for you?
• How did you bring play to your last team?

Power tip: Host a 20-minute session on becoming a workplace leprechaun.

Bonus: Let the fun-lover on your team plan the next off-site.

Give silly awards:

Create a monthly traveling award.

Give a roll of duct tape to a person who helps the office run smoothly. Pass it to another person next month.

Name a “Leprechaun of the Month.” Frame a certificate. Give a restaurant gift card.

Begin meetings with humor:

Ask deep questions like:

• If your life was a movie right now, what’s the title?
• What two words best describe your 16-year-old self?
• If your next work project was food, what would it be?

Bonus: Tell stories where you’re the punchline.

How might a leprechaun bring the dead to life in your organization?

What prevents leaders from leading fun?