How to Have Fun at Work

Isabel (Izzy) Bilotta, Ph.D., ’18, is the head of learning and innovation at Deutser, a Houston-based change management consultancy. With a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola and a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Rice University, she leads research, leadership development, and culture initiatives. Here she shares tips and tricks for how to bring more fun into the workday.

Create a culture where stepping outside is seen as a productive pause rather than a luxury. Encourage your team to take breaks outside or hold meetings in outdoor spaces. Sunlight not only helps regulate sleep cycles but also boosts serotonin, improving mood and focus.

Reinvent your meetings to spark engagement and fun. Incorporate creative elements like sharing a meme to kick off discussions or hosting a Jeopardy-style culture quiz. A little innovation can go a long way in creating excitement, fostering inclusion, and boosting morale.

Incorporate fun activities that also have a purpose. Games can be a safe way to explore new ideas, break down hierarchies, and encourage collaborative thinking. For example, you can use LEGO to promote creative problem-solving or run leadership development simulations that allow team members to step outside their usual roles.

Taking a cue from companies like Google and Patagonia, allocate time for free exploration at work. Allow employees to use work time to pursue passion projects, experiment with new ideas, or simply play with innovative tools and technologies. Free time for creative exploration encourages employees to think outside the box.

Movement is a powerful way to foster collaboration and creativity. Incorporate walking meetings, or other workday opportunities for movement, to break free from the confines of traditional office settings.