The Importance of Fun in the Workplace (keynote)

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

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?

Germany 2. France 3. Denmark 4. UK

what country finds jokes funniest?

Germany 2. France 3. Denmark 4. UK

what country finds jokes funniest?

Germany 2. France 3. Denmark 4. UK

what country finds jokes funniest?

Germany 2. France 3. Denmark 4. UK

what country finds jokes funniest?

Germany 2. France 3. Denmark 4. UK

ducks make jokes funnier

@holly_cummins #IBMGarage

Let’s talk about your career. @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

“Hallo Chef! Ich habe so viel gelernt auf der Konferenz. Wusstest du eigentlich wie lustig Enten sind?” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

“Hallo Chef! Du musst mich unbedingt zur Continuous Lifecycle Konferenz schicken. Da gibt es einen Vortrag zu … SPaSS.” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

“Hallo Chef! Du musst mich unbedingt zur Continuous Lifecycle Konferenz schicken. Da gibt es einen Vortrag zu … SPaSS.” @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. Spassvogel 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 Photo by Linearahandmade@etsy @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

Hello, World Exploration Photo by Linearahandmade@etsy @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

Puzzle Photo by William Warby @holly_cummins #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 Photo by William Warby @holly_cummins #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

@holly_cummins #IBMGarage

a team that doesn’t laugh together doesn’t want to work together @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

a team that doesn’t laugh together doesn’t want to work together “so, what was said on the conference call?” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

a team that doesn’t laugh together doesn’t want to work together “so, what was said on the conference call?” @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

a team that doesn’t laugh together doesn’t want to work together “so, what was said on the conference call?” “I have no idea … @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

a team that doesn’t laugh together doesn’t want to work together “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

• No one likes working on things that aren’t valuable or useful. Limits to Fun @holly_cummins #IBMGarage

• No one likes working on things that aren’t valuable or useful. • 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

• No one likes working on things that aren’t valuable or useful. • 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

@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

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

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