"Are you having fun?  It's one of the best indicators of organizational vitality — yet we don't value it much." 

This is what Nancy Austin asserts in her book (authored with Tom Peters), A Passion for Excellence (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 1989).  She observes that one of the "8 tough lessons" in the pursuit of excellence is to "inject the frivolity factor":

"While most of us would like to work for (or be) the accessible, accountable enthusiast whose eyes light up when talking about a new product or service, it somehow doesn't seem right.  When I was in graduate school, "fun" and "passion" weren't part of my business vocabulary.  Instead, we were drilled in emotional detachment and control.  And complicated business terminology — instead of plain English — was held up as the preferred language of the professional manager. 

"That kind of thinking puts a damper on the enthusiasm that should be part of a successful and well-run enterprise.  A fun business atmosphere can cultivate customers as well as good ideas — so lighten up!"

 

• Health and Safety (7 kits)
• Curriculum Development and Implementation (15 kits)
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