A presentation at FlowCon in in Paris, France by Holly Cummins
Austin The Importance of FUN in the workplace Copenhagen Dubai London Madrid Melbourne Munich Holly Cummins IBM Garage @holly_cummins Martijn Verburg @karianna New York Nice Raleigh San Francisco São Paulo Singapore Tokyo
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Is this a fun talk? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Is this a fun talk? No. It’s a talk about fun. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Is this a fun talk? No. It’s a talk about fun. That’s different. Obviously. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
I’m from the IBM Garage.
I’m from the IBM Garage.
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
the world’s funniest joke
A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes have rolled back in his head.
A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes have rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his mobile phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?”
A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes have rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his mobile phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator, in a soothing voice, says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.”
A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes have rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his mobile phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator, in a soothing voice, says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy’s voice comes back on the line. He says: “OK, now what?”
what country finds jokes funniest?
what country finds jokes funniest?
what country finds jokes funniest?
what country finds jokes funniest?
what country finds jokes funniest?
ducks make jokes funnier
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Let’s talk about your career. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Salut chef ! J’ai appris tellement à la conférence. Sais-tu que les canards sont les animaux les plus droles ?” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Chef, il faut absolument que j’aille à FlowCon, pour que je puisse participer à la session…. divertissement” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Chef, il faut absolument que j’aille à FlowCon, pour que je puisse participer à la session…. divertissement” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Are you brave enough? , Having fun at work @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
Are you brave enough? I’m not :) @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Wait. Where’s “fun-loving”? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Wait. Where’s “fun-loving”? We keep fun a secret. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
What is Fun? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fungi. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fungi. A Fun Guy. (Remember, fun means jokes.) @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fungi. A Fun Guy. (Remember, fun means jokes.) @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
There is lots of research on fun. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Fun is a point on the intersection of engagement levels and social interaction for a given activity.” Fun: An Exploration in its Relevance to Interaction Design - Elise Woolley, 2010 @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Aside: When is fun not-fun? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Aside: When is fun not-fun? When it’s your job. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
How do you measure fun? @holly_cummins Excerpted from Elise M. Woolley, B.S., Fun: An Exploration in its Relevance to Interaction Design #IBMGarage
That was called the Funtinuum. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
That was called the Funtinuum. If you remember just one thing from this talk … @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Exploration @holly_cummins Photo by Linearahandmade@etsy #IBMGarage
Puzzle @holly_cummins Photo by William Warby #IBMGarage
Play @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Game @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Work @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Play flexible for its own sake Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Play flexible for its own sake Puzzle a goal and rules Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Games a winner and rules Play flexible for its own sake Puzzle a goal and rules Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Games a winner and rules Work a goal Play flexible for its own sake Puzzle a goal and rules Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Games a winner and rules Work a goal Play flexible for its own sake Puzzle a goal and rules Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins jokes laughter #IBMGarage
Positive affect @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
It feels good @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Programming is fun. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Programming gives pleasure to both types of thinkers: @holly_cummins • Creative • Logical #IBMGarage
We get to control stuff when we program. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Exploration @holly_cummins Photo by Linearahandmade@etsy #IBMGarage
Hello, World Exploration @holly_cummins Photo by Linearahandmade@etsy #IBMGarage
Puzzle @holly_cummins Photo by William Warby #IBMGarage
Exception in thread “main” java.lang.NullPointerException: WhyWhyWhyIsThisHappeningNullPointerException at StackTraceExample.method111(StackTraceExample.java:15) at StackTraceExample.method11(StackTraceExample.java:11) at StackTraceExample.method1(StackTraceExample.java:7) at StackTraceExample.main(StackTraceExample.java:3) Puzzle @holly_cummins Photo by William Warby #IBMGarage
Game @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Game @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Katie Bouman, discovering that her algorithm for imaging black holes worked. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Katie Bouman, discovering that her algorithm for imaging black holes worked. It feels good @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Why are most of our workplaces Not Fun? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
The 1980/90’s Management Model Very hierarchical Control favoured over autonomy Technology seen as a cost centre @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Puritan confronts ale drinkers @holly_cummins Howard Pyle #IBMGarage
©Katerina Kamprani - The Uncomfortable Used with permission - thanks!
“the CEO bought [tool] after a conversation on a golf course … ©Katerina Kamprani - The Uncomfortable Used with permission - thanks!
“the CEO bought [tool] after a conversation on a golf course … … eight years ago … ©Katerina Kamprani - The Uncomfortable Used with permission - thanks!
“the CEO bought [tool] after a conversation on a golf course … … eight years ago … and everyone still has to use it” ©Katerina Kamprani - The Uncomfortable Used with permission - thanks!
the value of fun in the workplace @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
web conferencing feels like this @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
web conferencing feels like this “so, what was said on the conference call?” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
web conferencing feels like this “so, what was said on the conference call?” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
web conferencing feels like this “so, what was said on the conference call?” “I have no idea … @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
web conferencing feels like this “so, what was said on the conference call?” @holly_cummins “I have no idea … but they were laughing, so the project is OK. ” #IBMGarage
a team that doesn’t laugh together doesn’t want to work together web conferencing feels like this “so, what was said on the conference call?” @holly_cummins “I have no idea … but they were laughing, so the project is OK. ” #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
laughter: @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
laughter: defuses tense situations @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
laughter: defuses tense situations creates team cohesion @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
laughter: defuses tense situations creates team cohesion is a nice muscle workout @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Research shows: Fun is good for business. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Research shows: Fun is good for business. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Aristotle
job satisfaction is the no. 1 predictor of organizational performance
IBM Watson IoT Centre, Munich @holly_cummins
IBM IoT Lab, Munich
Studies have shown… Employee fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Studies have shown… Employee fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Studies have shown… Less sick leave Employee fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Studies have shown… Less sick leave Employee fun @holly_cummins Harder working #IBMGarage
Studies have shown… Less sick leave Employee fun Harder working More productivity @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins https://hbr.org/2012/01/positive-intelligence #IBMGarage
“Your brain at positive is 31% more productive than your brain at negative, neutral or stressed. ” @holly_cummins https://hbr.org/2012/01/positive-intelligence #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/eproto/workingpapers/happinessproductivity.pdf @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Individuals [who just watched a comedy video] have approximately 12% greater productivity.” https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/eproto/workingpapers/happinessproductivity.pdf @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
piglet litters grow faster if they play more @holly_cummins https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/8746156155 #IBMGarage
“my contractors are in their zone of competence.” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
How much fun can you expect to have? @holly_cummins https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulesson/3065570366 #IBMGarage
How much fun can you expect to have? (Yes, this is a picture of lots of fungi. You’re welcome.) @holly_cummins https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulesson/3065570366 #IBMGarage
Limits to Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
• Fun has business value. Limits to Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
• Fun has business value. • So if you take that to its extreme, and only do activities if they’re fun and enjoyable, will that work? Limits to Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
• Fun has business value. • So if you take that to its extreme, and only do activities if they’re fun and enjoyable, will that work? • Self-discipline is still needed. Limits to Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Just because it’s fun, doesn’t mean it’s good. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Just because it’s fun, doesn’t mean it’s good. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
who are we including in our laughter? who are we excluding? @holly_cummins https://www.flickr.com/photos/davefayram/4266804988 #IBMGarage
“I love the smell of napalm in the morning …. smells like victory.” Bill Kilgore, Apocalypse Now @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“I love the smell of napalm in the morning …. smells like victory.” Bill Kilgore, Apocalypse Now Is everyone having fun? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun. What could possibly go wrong? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun. What could possibly go wrong? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun. What could possibly go wrong? 2008: A developer had a lot of fun with Groovy. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun. What could possibly go wrong? 2008: A developer had a lot of fun with Groovy. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Fun. What could possibly go wrong? 2008: A developer had a lot of fun with Groovy. 2009: The others who had to maintain the code had less fun. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Enjoy fun. Responsibly. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
_ How to achieve fun Warning: This is our context and our experience of fun. Your workplace culture may be different.
Step 1. Find un-fun things. Get rid of them.
Step 0. Stop prohibiting fun. Obviously.
“Please stop sending emails telling people you are sharing cake.” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“If you’re in the office after 5:30, you need to be doing work.” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“Why are you smiling? Work isn’t a place to be happy!” - a prowling project manager @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Step 1. Find un-fun things. Get rid of them.
A process being unfun is a red flag that it’s not adding value. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Step 1. Find un-fun things. Get rid of them. … because they’re probably waste.
We all hate being told what to do. Usually, because we know it’s wrong. Let people make their own decisions. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins Fun Not-Fun Effective tools Bad tools Programming Meetings Puzzles Mysteries Collaboration Criticism Just doing it Process/Ceremony Learning Repeating Designing Sizing Doing Status reporting Prototyping Hardening Interactions Interruptions Making a difference Being a cog #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins Fun Not-Fun Effective tools Bad tools Programming Meetings Puzzles Mysteries Collaboration Criticism Just doing it Process/Ceremony Learning Repeating Designing Sizing Doing Status reporting Prototyping Hardening Interactions Interruptions Making a difference Being a cog #IBMGarage
We can fix these. @holly_cummins Fun Not-Fun Effective tools Bad tools Programming Meetings Puzzles Mysteries Collaboration Criticism Just doing it Process/Ceremony Learning Repeating Designing Sizing Doing Status reporting Prototyping Hardening Interactions Interruptions Making a difference Being a cog #IBMGarage
We can fix these. Findable documentation Streamlined process Self-generating status MVP @holly_cummins Fun Not-Fun Effective tools Bad tools Programming Meetings Puzzles Mysteries Collaboration Criticism Just doing it Process/Ceremony Learning Repeating Designing Sizing Doing Status reporting Prototyping Hardening Interactions Interruptions Making a difference Being a cog Pair programming #noestimates Automation Protect peace Self-directed teams #IBMGarage
Protect your coding time from meetings. “I’m sorry, since I’m pairprogramming, I can’t make that meeting.”
Pair programming @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Status for all to see. @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
Status for all to see. Keep stories small, so status is self-reporting. Daily stand-up. Keep it short. @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
#noestimates Estimates are rarely accurate. Why bother?? @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
Testing should not be something we do only at the end. TDD is fun. @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
TDD
TDD
Automation Computers don’t expect to have fun (yet). Let them do the tedious tasks. Bonus: Automating stuff is fun (yay!). @holly_cummins With permission of Richard Greenhill and Hugo Elias #IBMGarage
SRE is a whole discipline dedicated to eliminating toil from ops because toil isn’t worth it. Toil https://www.flickr.com/photos/seat850/3341460975 @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
“devops helps make our lives humane and win in the marketplace.” -Gene Kim @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
continuous integration should feel easy and fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
continuous integration should feel stuff easy and fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
continuous integration should feel stuff easy and fun if it doesn’t, maybe you’re doing it wrong? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Step 2: Add fun
Your brain needs breaks. Breaks with exercise are even better @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
Your brain needs breaks. Breaks with exercise are even better @holly_cummins http://ibm.biz/bluemixgaragelondon /* Discover. Collaborate. Deploy. */ @karianna
Can our job be fun? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Games a winner and rules Work a goal Play flexible for its own sake Puzzle a goal and rules Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Games a winner and rules Work a goal Play flexible for its own sake Puzzle a goal and rules Exploration focussed investigation @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
gamification @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
(management loves) gamification @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
The Fun Theory “something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
TDD
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Build gamification @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
7186 new lines of coverage @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
7186 new lines of coverage 1000 new tests added @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
7186 new lines of coverage 1000 new tests added 230 issues fixed @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
7186 new lines of coverage 1000 new tests added 230 issues fixed 10 years of tech debt resolved @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
7186 new lines of coverage 1000 new tests added 230 issues fixed 10 years of tech debt resolved @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
7186 new lines of coverage 1000 new tests added 230 issues fixed 10 years of tech debt resolved @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
what dazzling reward achieved that? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
what dazzling reward achieved that? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
what dazzling reward achieved that? 1 free lunch ➡ 230 issues fixed @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
metrics matter @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
remember, you get what you measure @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
gamification is so motivating it will drive people do the wrong thing @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
employees are not stupid they may notice they’ve been gamed @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Play Children learn through play. Adults do too. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Playfulness @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Quirkiness @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Easter Eggs @holly_cummins https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/47142913712 #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
boredpanda.com/404 @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
How do a production-train slack-integration nicely: @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Feedback matters. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
_ Failing at Fun
31% of us dislike teambuilding activities. http://www.successfulmeetings.com/Strategy/Meeting-Strategies/When-Teambuilding-Fails/ @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
fun is not a formula @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
fun may wear out @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
some people like evening socialising, some people hate it @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
how do you know you’re having fun if you’re not measuring it? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
How to ruin an office party? Take attendance. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
Failing at Fun Forgetting to fix the other stuff. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
A layer of fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
A layer of fun … on top of a terrible workspace … @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
A layer of fun … on top of a terrible workspace … is still terrible. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins photo by Marco Verch, https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/45481817492 #IBMGarage
my least fun project: @holly_cummins photo by Marco Verch, https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/45481817492 #IBMGarage
my least fun project: agile coaches @holly_cummins photo by Marco Verch, https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/45481817492 #IBMGarage
my least fun project: agile coaches games @holly_cummins photo by Marco Verch, https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/45481817492 #IBMGarage
my least fun project: agile coaches games laminated architecture diagrams @holly_cummins photo by Marco Verch, https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/45481817492 #IBMGarage
my least fun project: agile coaches games laminated architecture diagrams 1000 row requirement spreadsheets @holly_cummins photo by Marco Verch, https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/45481817492 #IBMGarage
What if you got paid to do something other people would pay to do? @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
@holly_cummins #IBMGarage
No, not the best job in the world. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage
_
_ Fun is important. Recap on achieving fun: 1. Get rid of un-fun things 2. Add fun things Doing 2. without 1. is going to fail.
Austin Copenhagen Dubai London Madrid Questions? Melbourne Munich New York Holly Cummins IBM Garage @holly_cummins Nice Raleigh San Francisco São Paulo Singapore Tokyo Toronto
An in-depth look at what makes software development a roller coaster where the highs of 0 compiler warnings are quickly cancelled out by the pain of long hours, bad requirements, endless configuration, clueless managers and a plethora of other issues which make death by a thousand cuts seem like a good idea…. They will answer questions such as: “Why is programming often called an art despite having its underpinnings in formal logic?” “How can I rediscover the delight I felt when I first started coding?” “What’s that rush I feel when my test passes? Am I addicted to TDD?” Combining Psychology, Philosophy and Computer Science, Dr Holly Cummins and Martijn Verburg will present a series of practical tips to help you rediscover the euphoria that you felt the very first time a metal box in front of you came to life and cried out “Hello World”.
The following resources were mentioned during the presentation or are useful additional information.
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