The Serious Business Of Fun At Work
There are many reasons why we feel our work is important - either to us, our families and communities, or the world. Sometimes it’s the simple satisfaction of solving a tough problem or helping someone else succeed. Sometimes it’s the thrill of building something that didn’t exist before. And often, it’s the quiet pride of knowing that what we do, even in small ways, shapes the world around us.
But somewhere along the way, many of us started to believe that important had to mean serious. When work becomes too serious, everything slows down and stiffens up. It feels like we're moving through wet cement. We're afraid to crack a smile in case it looks unprofessional.
But here's the truth: being serious isn’t the same as being effective. In fact, a little lightness can make us better at our jobs, not worse.
There’s plenty of psychological research to back this up. Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build Theory (1998) demonstrates that positive emotions, such as joy, amusement, and curiosity, help broaden our thinking. When we feel good, we’re more open to new ideas, better at solving problems, and more resilient when things get tough. Simply put, fun doesn't distract us from doing good work — it makes good work more likely.
Similarly, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory (1990) explains how people achieve peak performance when they're deeply engaged and enjoying themselves. Flow occurs when work feels playful — when the challenge aligns with our skills and we become fully immersed in the task. It turns out that fun is often the gateway to excellence.
And it’s not just about individuals. Amy Edmondson’s research on Psychological Safety (1999) found that when people feel safe to speak up, experiment, and even joke around a little, teams are more innovative and more successful. A culture that allows for playfulness doesn’t mean lowering standards — it means raising trust.
Even deeper, Stuart Brown’s work on Play (2009) reminds us that play is essential to human development. It's how we learn, adapt, and connect. Play at work isn’t childish; it’s a core part of being creative, collaborative, and capable.
Of course, not all "fun at work" is created equal. Imposed fun — the mandatory trust falls, the awkward forced games, the "everyone has to wear a crazy hat" day — can backfire spectacularly. When fun feels like an obligation rather than a choice, it stops being fun at all. Instead of building a connection, some people feel embarrassed. For others, it breeds resentment and cynicism. True lightness at work isn’t about enforcing a version of fun from the top down — it’s about creating the conditions where genuine enjoyment can naturally emerge.
Lightness at work doesn’t mean acting silly or unprofessional. It’s about how we approach tasks and how we interact with each other:
Start meetings lightly — ask an unusual quick check-in question, share a moment of gratitude, or a funny story. A shared laugh can set a positive tone.
Inject humour into communication — Use humour in emails, chats, or during calls (without overdoing it, of course) to diffuse tension and create a more friendly atmosphere.
Incorporate creative breaks — boost energy and provide a mental reset by encouraging short, creative breaks, whether it’s doodling, chatting with a colleague, or taking a walk outside.
Gamify simple tasks — small competitions or creative challenges can make routine work more energising.
Celebrate small wins — find novel, personal ways to recognise progress, not just big milestones.
Model playfulness as a leader — when leaders allow themselves to be a little more human, others feel safe to do the same.
We spend a big chunk of our lives at work. Without a bit of fun, we risk missing out on the creativity, energy, and connection that make work worth doing in the first place.
Fun isn’t a distraction. It’s a strategy — backed by science — for doing better, more meaningful work. It starts with giving people permission to enjoy their work.
I’d love to hear about some of the ways you have created, seen, or experienced how bringing the fun has worked—or backfired.