KEEP IT LIGHT AT YOUR WORK FORCE







Having a fun quotient at the work place helps energise employees. They are not afraid to admit their errors and willing to take themselves lightly, while taking their job responsibilities seriously.



ALL IN GOOD HUMOUR



It is said that humour is a positive emotion. Daniel Goleman in his book, ‘Primary Leadership’ speaks of the way a leader’s mood affects everyone in the organization.” If the leader is stern and heavy-handed, others in the company, dread coming to work, feelling they are being critically watched. The atmosphere becomes vicious and bitter and people are afraid to admit their mistakes or receive feedbacks,” says Lekha Sishta, VP-HR & talent management, Sum Total Systems India.



While there is so much written and talked about the global slowdown, employees feel bogged down and are affected by the negativity of the situation. In such a scenario, humour helps consolidate the staff and also brings a sigh of relief at the workplace.



Many organizations feel it is critical that HR, in tough times exhibit the humane side of their nature by being warm, considerate open to hearing employers and staying in constant touch with them.



REACHING OUT



It is important for employees to feel they are being heard. Thus, HR managers should make a conscious effort to reach out. At the Philips Innovation Campus (PIC) recent town meeting, various queries of employees were collated through the intranet and the same was put forth to the management team. A group at PIC also has an interest group called Fun-O-Holics which engages employees in fun activities. “We regularly organize the ‘FUNATHON’ which is a fun marathon around the campus,” confirms Y. Krishnamohan, senior director-HR, Philips Innovation Campus, Philips Electronics.





Article edited from TOI dated 18 Mar 2009