PMcrunch

A moderately lighthearted approach to project management and leadership can be very beneficial.  To get the most out of ourselves, we need to strike a balance between hard work and fun.  As leaders, we need to be assured that we are facilitating the right balance work and fun for individuals on our team and for the team as a whole.  On project teams, where project leaders expect the absolute best from their people, fun on the job isn’t a frivolity, but rather a necessity. 

What happens when project managers and team leaders believe work can’t or shouldn’t be enjoyable?  Here are just a few undesirable consequences that come to mind.

1. Individual preferences are not considered.
2. Inherent individual strengths are in many cases not discovered and do not thrive.
3. Creativity suffers as a stifling environment prevails.
4. Project team members begin to look elsewhere for work.
5. A culture of indifference and stress develops. 

Who wants that day in and day out, throughout the life of a project?  When playfulness is encouraged, not only do people look forward to coming to work, but new energy and enthusiasm are unleashed and nagging problems seem to arise less and are solved more easily.  That’s why project teams that encourage high spirits tend to produce stronger results. 

As a project manager, are your own beliefs or assumptions standing in the way of an enjoyable atmosphere.  Is that a question worth answering?  I say "YES" as everyone, including you, will operate at a peak level when they can have a good time at work.
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John Reiling, PMP
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