How to get more fun into your leadership.

I recently celebrated a BIG birthday.

The party was a joy. I danced for hours in the upstairs room of my local pub, with my dearest and oldest friends, laser lights flashing to my favourite 70s disco tunes.

I was in my element – playful, vibrant and fully Katie.

I love coaching successful non-profit CEOs and senior leaders from a similarly uplifted and authentic place. (The Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever gets me in the coaching mood, more often than not.)

I know that by enjoying myself and finding fun in the coaching I do and outside it, I can have the very biggest impact possible with the leaders I’m working with. Taking them to do even greater things in their work – be it bringing in more funding to increasing their influence globally or moving through a blip in their confidence.

And I know that finding the fun in your life and work as a non-profit leader is a must, too.

It’s not easy, I know

Leading in the not-for-profit world can be hugely draining as you struggle with the ongoing challenges of not enough people, funding, time and resources.

Sometimes, I know you can feel completely overwhelmed by the huge task on your hands. That is not remotely fun.

The issues you’re tackling can be grim. Ending child labour. Supporting women who’ve experienced domestic violence or survivors of torture. These are tough issues and bringing fun in seems somehow wrong, doesn’t it?

I really get that.

And – you still need to get that fun in. Here’s why

 

• It’s not disrespectful of the people you work with, or those you support, to let some lightheartedness in to work. In fact, it’s a buffer against the stress, serious illness and burn out which stop leaders making their very best contribution
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• Having some fun and a laugh releases the ‘happy’ hormones, dopamine & serotonin into the brain. These two neurotransmitters are crucial for creating a positive and resilient mindset, much needed if you’re to truly thrive in your leadership role
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• When you let your hair down and get some fun into your life and work, you model to your team that it’s not all a grind. Even when the work is tough.
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• A warm, relaxed, playful atmosphere lends itself to being a happy place to work. And when people are happy they are more productive, more committed to their roles and less likely to move on
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• Fun, playful interaction creates connection and builds trust between colleagues who may not get a chance to be together in one place very often. The fallout of the pandemic has shown just how important this low-key, informal connection is.

Here’s how to do it

1. Start small – look for micro-fun opportunities at work. This can be a cringe if you’re not thoughtful, but feel your way into it. Invite colleagues to take it in turns to start a meeting with a playful ice-breaker, such as things that made them laugh at the weekend or a favourite comedy pet moment. These shares can be hugely powerful

2, Make sure there is slack in the day or in the agenda of a meeting where fun can naturally bubble up. Don’t be the one to close down an anecdote or bit of banter by rushing on with the agenda

3. Create opportunities for organised fun, if people choose to do it – the doughnut run, the informal Friday afternoon hangout on Zoom etc. Ideally others get to organise these, but show up yourself every now and again

4. I’m noticing more non-profit organisations getting their teams back together for more real, live away-days after the pandemic. Do it! There are so many pluses. Spontaneous fun is likely to spring up all over the place, such as in coffee-breaks or in discussions and workshops, and of course you can bring fun in more formally, with fabulous speakers or an evening quiz-game

5. And finally, consider how you can find more fun in your home life. It will show up in you as a leader at work if you’re getting a good dose of fun outside work. What makes you smile? What gives you a laugh? What lifts your heart?

I invite you to take that seriously.

Over to you

Is fun a part of your workplace culture? Would you like to lighten things up? It can be good to start small. What one small thing will you do this week to bring that playful spirit into your workplace?

What next?

Email me at katie@katieduckworth.com and let’s have a chat about one-to-one leadership coaching with me, starting this Spring/Early Summer.

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