A few years ago, I had the privilege of running a team workshop for leaders and their successors at a well-known company. In the room, we had leaders spanning four different generations.
At one point, I mentioned that millennials, and indeed most employees, want to have fun at work. (In fact, a recent article in Inc. magazine reveals that 90% of employees still want this.)
The CEO, a Baby Boomer, responded, “Ugh! I’m not going to pay for parties and drinks every night!”
To broaden the perspective, I turned to various younger team members and asked them what “fun at work” meant to them. Here were just a few of their responses:
– Learning a new skill
– Working on a new type of project they’ve never experienced before
– Collaborating with new colleagues they’ve not interacted with before
– Taking on challenges that push their boundaries
– Feeling valued and recognized for their contributions
The CEO was surprised. His idea of “fun at work” was completely different from what others had in mind.
This experience teaches a valuable lesson: Ask, don’t assume! What fun at work (or anything else) means to one person may be completely different from what it means to you.
So, what does the term “fun at work” mean to you? I’d love to hear – share your thoughts below!
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