When an activity is seen as fun by everybody and there is a choice whether to take part or not, it is good. A sporting event or a picnic usually do no harm. But sometimes … sometimes the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The management.about.com website describes some examples of intended fun that actually turn out to be source of suffering.
When managers force others to "have fun"
Perhaps managers think everyone else has the same taste and shares their view of what is fun.
1. Funny hat day, ugly tie day, whatever day. These stupid costumes are certainly not appreciated by everyone. You can bet your funny hat that there are at least some employees who are suffering because of the embarrassment. And maybe instead they pretend to be sick on these fun days.
2. Teasing and provoking one’s co-workers. Picking on others is a dangerous game. Rampant sarcasm is also a no-go area: sometimes it may be genuinely funny but too many cynical jokes at the office may have a dispiriting effect. Inappropriate sexual or crude jokes can also lead to more harm than smiles, not to mention racist humour.
3. Golf. Certainly a great sport. However, if some workers in your team do not like it, a morning on the golf course can be an undesirable experience. It is never fun if the manager has to force others to join in.
4. Establishing a fun committee or fun consultant. It doesn’t even sound amusing, does it? A committee? A consultant? Not many associations with fun here. Added to which, the latter option could cost quite a lot.
There is a better way
Stop trying to force others to have fun. It is intrusive and phoney. Start with yourself and be a role model. Smile and take it easy. If you are always frowning and miserable, even the best fun consultant will not help. Of course, don’t overdo it: you are not a clown. In short, just create an atmosphere in which fun is allowed to appear naturally.
-jk-