In the first part of this article, we spoke about how fun is not just frivolous but takes serious effort and how being a ‘fun boss’ is being a ‘cool boss’. How the first step to is to gauge whether you are the ‘fun type’. Then, understand the new perspective of fun and started going through simple ways to transform yourself to a ‘fun mindset’. So, here goes the second part of the article.
The concept of fun is different for everyone
We human beings have our own preferences. Just say the word blue and everyone will have their own differing shades of blue. You will love the pizza at one restaurant but your friend will not like it. When you develop a ‘Fun Mindset’ and start doing things to be perceived as a ‘fun boss’, it can happen that your idea of fun may not be everyone’s idea of fun and then you can end up laughing but others don’t! The best way is to understand the people around you, their demographics and psychographics and plan your ‘fun’ salvo accordingly for desired impact. Especially in India, mindsets vary based on the state people come from, their education, age and educational background. So, create a fun environment accordingly. Just a word of caution here never make fun about communities, religion or anyone in particular in the room. People are sensitive and react in different ways on these subjects than what you had imagined backfiring on you!
Create an environment of relaxed awareness
Fun cannot foster in a tense environment. Work stress can result in a sceptical environment which could make having fun itself a joke! Other than in crisis the best state of mind to encourage is a state of ‘relaxed awareness’. Positive stress is a motivator and that comes from good planning and staying ahead. As it is said ‘Plan your work and then work your plan’. There are sudden spurts of unplanned work as well as client urgencies but even the worst of such situations can be handled better if you are calm and in control. Cracking a joke at a bad time is not acceptable anywhere but a ‘fun mindset’ is only possible if you have developed a ‘positive mindset’ first. Being positive is a medicine for any situation. So being aware is living life, but if you are relaxed as a person, it’s a lot better. Have you seen pilots go about their work? Do they ever look in a state of tension or disarray? They are cool and calm and that how you should be.
Work can truly be fun
Enjoying what you do is the first step to climb in building a ‘fun mindset’. For most of us, work is to earn our livelihood but for many others it’s a passion. Most of us who are passionate, see more success, get more opportunities. Passion also gives birth to many successful entrepreneurs and leaders. It is rare that you get an opportunity to work in a domain that you like/align with. Then, you really get to follow your passion and enjoy what you do. Make achievement of goal a common denominator of success. Then you will see teams competing with each other to be goal achievers. And work becomes exciting like any other competitive sport. It no longer is just about livelihood but about becoming better at what one does. As you know, the better one becomes in what one does, the more enjoyable it becomes to do it. And enjoyment is the best stepping stone to having fun. Give people work they enjoy doing and then they will really come to ‘fun’ not ‘work’
A ‘Fun Mindset’ becomes a habit over time
Like all mindsets, when you evolve to a ‘Fun Mindset’, it becomes your second nature after a while. The only thing is to keep at it!
“Fun is only possible if you have a mindset that allows it” Morten Harket
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