The Hump Day Humor-Gram,  October 10, 2007    Issue Number 233
================================================================
1. Too Many Fun Suckers? 

The last Humor at Work web poll results reveal that there are
far too many fun suckers out there: 41% suggested they have too 
many fun suckers to count in their workplace; 27% work with 5 
or less fun suckers; 12% said they only worked with 1 fun sucker, 
but sadly, it was the boss. On a positive note, 20% said they had 
NO fun suckers working in their workplace. 

Short of voting them off our island, what can we do about fun 
suckers? First off, ignore them. Secondly, make sure you are 
creating opportunities for everyone to be included in fun events 
without demanding it. Thirdly: keep hiring, training, encouraging 
and recognizing people for contributing towards a positive, 
inspiring workplace. Lastly, if you work with a serious fun sucker,
and especially if you’re a leader of a serious fun sucker, then 
talk to them, one on one. Coach them. Mentor them. Help them 
understand the impact their fun-sucking attitude is having 
on the team. And, as difficult as this may seem, try
and understand their underlying motivations. Why did they take 
the job in the first place? What makes them happy? 
What specific actions/behaviors/changes will help them feel 
more motivated; what’s de-motivating them?  

And hey, be sure to please surf on by www.mikekerr.com to take 
part in our next poll: Where/when do you get your great ideas? 
===============================================================
2. Mike's Fun at Work Tip  

Hold your own office version of the TV show “So You Think
You Can Dance”, wherein you award prizes for the best 
“happy dance!”  And try creating different categories, such as 
best team dance, solo effort or couples. (And of course, a 
compilation video of happy dancers makes for great viewing at 
the annual staff retreat or Christmas party.) 
================================================================
3. Quote of the Week 

“A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting 
along with people, of getting things done.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
================================================================
4. It's a Wacky, Wacky, World  

A researcher at State University of New York suggests that 
people named Dennis or Denise are disproportionately more likely
to become dentists, while Lawrences and Lauries are more likely 
to become lawyers. Maybe he’s onto something, after all, my
name is Mike and I spend my days speaking into a mic!   
(Now if only my parents had named me Rich...) 

Happy Hump Day. Keep smiling like you know something no one else 
knows (if for no other reason than to freak out your coworkers). 
================================================================
Copyright Michael Kerr, 2007. mike@mikekerr.com  www.mikekerr.com