It’s Not About the Ping-Pong Table Successful, progressive companies such as Nike, Rollerblade, and Google are well known for their creative work environments. And many others, in their desire to emulate the success of these companies seek to create “fun” environments of their own. In the process, however, they make a common mistake: instead of making the real effort to transform the work environment by looking closely at the current issues and engaging employees in the conversation, they try to copy or imitate the “hipness” of others in the hopes that it will pay off in the same way. This is much like the notion that by reading the success stories of famous and immensely powerful business leaders we can follow their example and achieve the same success. I hope the logic of this approach is as obviously flawed to you as it is to me. The reality is that while the endeavors of a business to create its own unique and positive environment may have paid off for them, it is no guarantee that it will work in your company, or anywhere else for that matter. There are far too many factors that contribute to the success, especially great success, of a given company, and the more one tries to reduce all those influences into a few bullet-pointed “Key Principles” the more it just won’t happen. People do love the idea, though. The notion that a few simple steps can cure your company’s ills is a very popular one. Just look at all of the magazines that suggest a handful of things can make you “Sexier for Summer!” or “Lose Those Winter Love-Handles!” or provide you with the “Ultimate Makeover!” Especially if there are less than 10 things you have to do. Any more than that and it seems like too much work. The same idea of quick and easy results from the distilled wisdom of those who have achieved glory seems rampant in the business world. It sells books, but it’s misleading. (5 Dysfunctions, 7 Habits, 10 Steps…) While there may some great information in these short lists, it is a much deeper and more diverse mechanism that drives success of any kind, particularly in a complex business. So why shouldn’t you get a ping-pong table for your office? Because it won’t do much good without an understanding of the real reasons for getting one in the first place. Just adding something “fun” won’t turn around poor attitudes or persistent issues. But talking to people about these things and why they exist can make a difference. The kind of a business that would consider having those conversations is the kind of a business that will ultimately have greater success. How it turns out is a matter of what your employees, all together, decide is the best fit and the most fun for the most people. When leadership demonstrates even a little bit of genuine caring and interest in creating a positive environment for its employees it goes a long way. Whether you get any actual toys, or not, isn’t the issue. Most people really don’t like the “joke” paraphernalia anyway. But finding out what they do like, and reaching a consensus about what would work in their particular workplace, can be very transformative. Not because of the stuff you end up with, which, by the way, will get old after awhile. It’s the fact that you asked, discussed and did something about it. Real innovation and a passionate, progressive business come from a consistent effort to create an understanding of what allows employees to feel authentic. The workplace needs to be a culture that is mutually created by the people that work in it, not by a business “norm” or the CEO’s singular definition. It might not even include any “things” at all. It might just be a mutual agreement to develop a safe environment in which to experiment and explore alternative approaches to problems. It might be creating a set of Ground Rules that everyone takes part in, so everyone has a stake in the way they and their co-workers are treated day-to-day. It might just be providing cookies at all meetings. You’d be surprised at how simple changes can be to make a big impact. But until you actually focus on what creates the environment that defines your workplace, your employees probably won’t have much fun working there. And work will just be work. Andy Weisberg has been a professional speaker, consultant and trainer for over 20 years. His specialty is providing individuals and organizations with the tools to develop their best work. He lives in Golden Valley, MN, with his family and his family’s cat. He can be reached at azweisberg@earthlink.net.