Why Fun Should Matter to Leaders

Why Fun Should Matter to Leaders

Active engagement in the workplace has dropped to 23% (Gallup 2023). Leaders around the world try to solve this problem with incentives, feedback, team building, and work-life balance seminars. More attuned leaders consider the psychology of Flow Theory. Flow, a famous concept by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, explains how humans do or do not experience engagement. It explains how and why we get “in the zone” and is a major factor in whether we bring our whole selves to our work or just go through the motions. Flow has served as a theoretical framework for many leaders and consultants, particularly facilitators, however, in 2005, game designer and entrepreneur Raph Koster made the connection that Fun and Flow are inseparably tied together in his book “A Theory of Fun for Game Design.” In this session, we will discuss the traditional tenants of flow theory, including the balance of skill and challenge when performing work tasks. We will also incorporate the discoveries related to flow that come from more traditional “fun” like playing games. Through discussion and activities, we will find out how a little fun at work can actually improve performance, and that work can be fun without silly gimmicks.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the theory and benefits of Flow
2. Implement at least one fun activity into their work or team
3. Appraise whether they are experiencing Flow or fun in their work

This program is ideal for:  All levels

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $80 non-member. $60 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Dillon Waggoner has a robust background in Career and Professional Development. He served as a career coach, presenter, and creative facilitator for the Ball State Career Center for six years, and now serves the university in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute. He empowers students to engage with powerful resources that promote self-awareness, problem solving, and creativity, and he finds a way to add an element of fun to everything he does.