Six Signs Your Workplace Is Like a Pumpkin Patch

It’s October and in Tennessee that means the fall.  Leaves are a canvas of rich colors, football games from high school to the pros  occupy the weekends and pumpkin patches filled with corn mazes and games can be found on the outskirts of town.

And that’s where this week’s blog finds us.

This past weekend I joined some friends and we visited Ring Farm in Columbia, TN.  If you’ve never visited a farm like this, you really are missing out.  This farm had the traditional corn maze (which you really need to navigate after dark), hayrides, hot cider, bonfires  and a huge play area.

Needless to say, we did it all.  But I must admit, the highlight for me was the play area.  This farm had two long slides made from  oversized tubing.  Riders grabbed a potato sack, climbed the ladder then take off down the long chute.

Now, to “really” make the slide experience count, you have to scream as you race down the tunnel.  And then, in addition to the sliding on your bottom, you mix it up and slide head first, on your belly and every other pose you can create.

I heard one of my friends say, “You know, I get tired of being a grown up all the time. I just want to be a kid sometimes!”  And you know what, she’s right.  The same can be said of your employees.

Your workplace may not have a Wii™ in the break room, but there is still a need to ensure “fun” is a part of the company.  Fun provides
a mental and physical break from the tasks in hand.  Many people find that they return to work after a break with much more vitality, energy and enthusiasm. The more they can play and relieve stress, the harder and more efficiently they’ll work. And let’s face it, in today’s stressful environments, we need ways to increase focus and energy toward our goals.

So, how do you know if you have created a fun workplace? How do you answer these six questions:

1. Your employees have flexibility and input in how their work is accomplished
2. Your team enjoys spending time together – on and off the clock
3. Your team spends time reflecting on how to improve the workplace
4. People are rewarded for good behavior in many different ways
5. Failure is an option.  It means we are pursuing new ideas and growth.
6. Some days just call for ice cream and the Hokey Pokey™

So how do you rate? Can you answer “yes” to these questions?  And what other questions can you add to the list?  We want to hear from you!

And what if you had to say “no” to some of these questions?  It’s not too late to go find that pumpkin patch.  You may be surprised and really enjoy being a kid for the afternoon.  I promise, if you do, your employees will thank you for it.

Happy Fall!