Do you think fun has a place at work? I do! I think it’s vital in fact and in this episode we are exploring the power of fun with my guest Dr Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit.
Mike has spent much of his career in service to workplace wellbeing and performance, as an organisational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He’s a big believer that in our overprescribed lives we need to seek fun where we can. We’re not talking about zany fun here, it’s finding pleasure in the everyday. It's not about the big milestones, but the small moments that build our rich tapestry of life. As leaders, creating an environment where fun is woven into the fabric of work can transform well-being and productivity. It's serious business to ensure our teams genuinely enjoy their work.
Fun isn’t frivolity - it’s a leadership fundamental
Why you should listen: Leadership in service to others
How to put fun and fulfillment at the heart of your culture
We explore fun as a leadership habit
Misconceptions about fun - it’s not leadership whimsy
Creating an inclusive, fun for all, corporate culture
Creating transition rituals for a healthier work-life balance
Take action
Reclaim your fun with small acts. Get outside, read a book, dance a little!
Contemplate the question of what makes for a life well lived? A meaningful life?
Tip of the week
Keep listening for an exclusive extract fromTerra Blanca: Insurrection, which is my prequel to the Gaia series. You can get the ebook and audiobook for free when you subscribe to Bookish - my eJournal for avid readers.
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About Dr Mike Rucker
Dr. Mike Rucker is an organisational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He has been academically published in publications like the International Journal of Workplace Health Management. His ideas about fun and health have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Forbes, Vox, Thrive Global, Mindful, mindbodygreen, and more. He currently serves as a senior leader at Active Wellness and is the author of 2023’s top-rated happiness book, The Fun Habit, which is out now.
Key moments
Planet Human: A big win for carbon neutral cattle here in Australia.
Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound has launched! It is out now, the advance reviews have been fantastic and I’m excited to see it getting in readers’ hands. Order your signed copy from my site, or get the paperback and ebook options on Amazon. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
The Importance of Fun at Work (00:03:28)
Introduction to the concept of fun at work and its significance for workplace well-being.
The Beginning of Fun as a Focus (00:04:38)
Guest Dr. Mike Rucker shares how fun became a focus for him and its connection to positive psychology.
Challenges with Pursuing Happiness (00:09:32)
Discussion on the problematic pursuit of happiness as an outcome and its impact on emotional flexibility and comparison to others.
The Role of Agency and Autonomy in Fun (00:14:10)
Exploration of the importance of agency and autonomy in creating positive experiences and avoiding habituated routines.
The Fun Habit Book Premise (00:18:30)
Explanation of the premise of the book "The Fun Habit" and the importance of breaking habitual routines to incorporate joy into life.
Defining and Incorporating Fun (00:21:40)
Discussion on defining fun for oneself and strategies for incorporating it into the workday
The Valence of Fun (00:21:57)
Mike explains the psychological concept of valence and its association with pleasure and enjoyment.
The Misunderstood Concept of Fun at Work (00:24:17)
Zoe and Mike discuss the misconception of fun at work, addressing the negative connotations and the need for a redefined understanding.
Creating an Enjoyable Work Environment (00:29:11)
Mike delves into the connection between meaningful work and enjoyment, emphasising the importance of creating an enjoyable environment.
Future Technology and Work-Life Balance (00:33:44)
Mike discusses a technology concept related to work-life balance and the potential benefits of AI in managing work communications.
Transition Rituals in the Workplace (00:36:42)
Mike highlights the need for transition rituals in the workplace to separate work and leisure life, promoting a healthier work-life balance.
Parity and Reward for Work (00:38:35)
Zoe and Mike touch on the topic of parity and reward for work, expressing their views on the unequal distribution of abundance resulting from labour.
Reclaiming Control and Enjoying Work (00:41:42)
Mike emphasises the importance of reclaiming control at work and finding enjoyment, particularly by reclaiming lunch breaks and other breaks in the workday.
Enjoyment and Productivity (00:42:32)
Focusing on the importance of enjoyment in pocket moments for increased productivity and creativity.
Leadership and Interpersonal Dynamics (00:49:00)
An excerpt from the novel Terra Blanca: Insurrection highlighting interpersonal dynamics in leadership.
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.