I’m just back from Fargo, North Dakota where I spoke to some wonderful educators who needed a lift. I had a huge challenge: My goal was to make them laugh (sure), motivate them (oh, yeah) and get them fired up (good). But in addition to all of those more typical motivational speaker assignments, [...]

Here’s a not-so-obvious way to get the ball rolling with new co-workers. It might seem a little far-fetched, even risky, but, when done right, it really does work:
The scenario: There’s this girl, let’s call her Mary. It’s Mary’s first day of work at a major media corporation where she’s working in a [...]

Let’s Get This Meeting Started…Th Right Way!
I know an editorial assistant at ELLE magazine who reports how his boss, the Editor in Chief no less, handles meetings with grace and ease. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: ELLE magazine, high fashion publication, snooty employees and an even snootier boss…it’s The Devil Wears [...]

In Case There is Any Doubt — Your Business Needs a Laugh
If I’ve learned anything from the infinite wisdom of Walt Disney, it’s that we all need to whistle while we work.
When do you find yourself the most productive? When you’re having fun, right? Now I know we can’t all have the ever-amusing, heart-pumping, [...]

I found this funny video on—where else—YouTube and I think it has something to say about competition in the workplace. Now, whether we like to think of the workplace as a happy-go-lucky-everyone-gets-a-long-equality-driven environment, we all know that when push comes to shove, you want to edge out the guy sitting next to you (even [...]

Karyn Buxman is a California based, terrific speaker, humorist, nurse, and good friend. She is also a mom.
In this shorter podcast, Karyn tells us how here 16 year old son (who is also a manager) used a sense of humor to solve a problem with an unhappy customer at the McDonalds he was managing.
He [...]

 

 Humor in the (McDonalds) Workplace [2:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I often write in this blog about the importance, the motivation behind, and the reasons for humor in the workplace. But how — specifically — can you do it? How do you start?
Here’s a cool idea from a fun blog I think you’ll like.
My plan was to anonymously send a $40 floral [...]

In this episode, I interview Peggy from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority in Denver, Colorado. She was one of the originators of their employee recognition awards using a Garden Gnome and I wanted to get the inside scoop of this practice and it’s results.
The bottom line is that outstanding employees are given [...]

 

 Gnomes and Humor in the Workplace [5:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

There is a Bad Boss contest… this is a contest that you don’t want to win. Humor in the workplace is just one of the ways you can be a better leader, manager and … er… boss.
But while you’re working to improve your managing skills, you might as well read about some of the worst [...]

I love victimless, safe practical jokes. And I love playing in the workspace, and on the job. But most of all, I’m a fan of staying employed, and avoiding getting fired.
Good news, fun seekers… you can do all of that and more if you select the right types of practical jokes.
Here is [...]