Brenda’s Blog

Redefining “Fun at Work”

September 13, 2024

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!”
Ā 
To broaden the perspective, I turned to various younger team members and asked them what “fun at workā€ meant to them. Here were just a few of their responses:

Ā – Learning a new skill
Ā – Working on a new type of project they’ve never experienced before
Ā – Collaborating with new colleagues they’ve not interacted with before
Ā – Taking on challenges that push their boundaries
Ā – Feeling valued and recognized for their contributions

The CEO was surprised. His idea of “fun at workā€ was completely different from what others had in mind.
Ā 
This experience teaches a valuable lesson: Ask, donā€™t assume!Ā What fun at work (or anything else) means to one person may be completely different from what it means to you.
Ā 
So, what does the term “fun at work” mean to you? Iā€™d love to hear – share your thoughts below!

0 Comments

Archives

Pin It on Pinterest