10 MAY 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® A Culture of Fun by Tim Connor I once worked with a client in the Chicago area. One day during lunch, several of the employees were playing Frisbee out behind the plant. The president came out and asked what they were doing. One employee replied, “We are on our lunch break and we are playing.” The president then said, “This is a place of business, not a playground. You are here to work, not have fun.” I couldn’t believe my ears. As a trainer for over 35 years, I can say I have never before or since heard such a ridiculous remark from the president of a $50 million-a-year business. (Well, maybe I’ve heard a lot of others that come close.) So you ask, “What’s the big deal?” Some of you may believe the president was right in his attitude. I can only tell you that when people work in a fun environment (and I don’t mean playing Frisbee in the halls) they will: , Be more productive. , Make fewer mistakes. , Get along better with everyone. , Tend to have more loyalty to the organization. , Give you the labor of their hearts - not just their hands. , Release their stress in a productive way rather than on a customer or fellow employee. , Come in early and leave late. They will not be driven by the clock, but by the project, assignment, or task. The opposite of many of these is also true in an environment filled with mistrust, lack of respect, stress, politics, gameplaying, and heavy top-down policies, decisions, communication, and objectives. In a labor market where good people are hard to find (and I will even say any employees are hard to find), it makes sense to treat employees as your most valuable asset. Generally employees today: Are smarter - Have more options - Want to be respected, trusted, and accepted - Don’t need your job as much as you think they do. How would you describe your organization’s environment? Is it a fun place to work? Do employees look forward to Monday, or Friday? Have you ever asked them? You really don’t have to because their performance, attitude, productivity, communication style, creativity, willingness to take responsibility, morale, and results are (or will be) a fairly accurate barometer. If your organization is grounded in seriousness, ego, satisfaction, emotional manipulation, secrecy, or any other negative approach, I guarantee most of your employees are not enjoying the time they spend at work. Want to ensure a positive, passionate, exciting atmosphere? Develop a fun mindset from the top down and I guarantee you’ll put more money in the bank at the end of the year. In His service, Tim Tim Connor may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com “Life is really fun, if we only give it a chance.” ~Tim Hansel TGWA 2024 Dealmakers Millican Well Service of Boyd, Texas, showed their new Pulstar P20HD pump hoist mounted on a 2023 Ford F-650, 4x4, during the 2024 Texas Ground Water Association event. Pictured are Marty of Pulstar / Preferred Pump with Jaythan, Jerry, Charlotte, and Jacob of Millican Well Service. Pulstar Manufacturing / Preferred Pump & Equipment
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