I have always believed that teams do their best work when they’re having fun and that’s why I have fallen in love with Charlie Todd and Improv Everywhere, a New York City-based collective that organizes fun and joyful pranks.  I was thinking about why their “acts” are so appealing and funny and how teams can use this insight to put more fun into their work. Here are my insights:

1. They add something unusual to routines. That’s why seeing “no pants” people get onto a subway is so funny.  It breaks up a predictable, boring routine. Try something like organizing your next agenda as a treasure hunt or blow a horn whenever anyone says a commonly used term on your team.
2. It’s easy to participate. Dressing like a Best Buy store clerk requires only khaki pants and a blue T-shirt. Have a “wear red” day to celebrate a milestone. Put out a unique and difficult jigsaw puzzle on a desk and whenever anyone on the team accomplishes a task they get to complete 15 minutes on the puzzle. Put a sign-in sheet beside it to record the accomplishments of the team.
3. They are keen observers of human nature and turn a “rule” on its head. Evening wear is “supposed” to be worn for special, formal events. Taking it to a beach turns that rule on its head. Instead of doing a “lessons learned” after a project is complete, do a lessons not learned at the beginning of a project.
4. There’s a harmless element of secrecy and curiosity. In their Mp3 Experiment, thousands of people downloaded an Mp3 and followed instructions, like choose an object in the store and dance with it or stand still wherever you are until further instruction. Choose a super hero and have everyone on your team act and talk like that superhero for a day but don’t tell anyone else what you are doing.
5. They switch up communication channels. In The Mute Button, a group of people in a park square engage in all sorts of activities like break dancing to music, talking to one another, playing with a dog, and on a signal they all stop using sound and continue to participate in the activity.  Just imagine how you could inject fun into your team meeting by having people play charades to discuss an issue rather than talking!

How can you take these 5 insights and create a bit of fun on your team? I’d love to hear what you come up with!

This blog is based on the 4 of Hearts, Have Fun, taken from our Teamwork Explorer. Written by Tammy.

Image credit: Mira Hartford