Guest Post: Halloween Makes Cubeland Come Alive!

As we near the best holiday of the entire year (sorry, Easter Bunny), enjoy this great guest post from our friend, Dr. Todd Dewett. And do what he says!



Leadership Thought of the Day:  Halloween Makes Cubeland Come Alive!



How can I possibly connect Halloween and leadership?  Easy! Halloween provides one of the best times for team building and morale building at work.  It is shocking to me that more workplaces do not create ways to leverage the fun that accompanies Halloween.  It is a unifier.  Across many generations, across many religions, across gender, across business functions, etc. - nearly everyone loves Halloween.



Unfortunately, too many adults have lost their will to wear Halloween costumes.  If you wish to be brave, have a costume contest at work.  However, if you really want to get the most bang for your buck, hold a workspace Halloween decorating contest.  A few good ideas:  make the competition open to anyone with a cube, office, or desk.  The more the merrier.  Think up a prize and make it worthwhile.  Promote the contest internally with a lead time of at least one month.  Members of the leadership team:  YOU MUST PARTICIPATE, and make sure everyone knows you are excited to take part!

On face value, this sounds like a simple way to have some fun and break up the monotony of office life.  Well, that it true, but in addition, there are real benefits to this type of activity:

1. People are able to see others as individuals, not as the simple stereotypes that dominate many organizations (e.g., HR, Accounting, Finance).
2. As a form of team building - this is a cheap option!  The employees are happy to go out-of-pocket a small amount in the name of fun.  The organization is only on the hook for a nominal prize. 
3. Friendly competition always builds bonds.  Competition can be positive or negative.  Creating an example of positive competition will influence the overall nature of competition at work.
4. It creates a shared experience across all levels of the hierarchy. Few things harm work culture more than real or perceived status differences.  An activity like this levels the playing field, makes everyone look human, and helps everyone remember that they are on the same team. 

Did I mention that this should involve lots of candy?  Preferably chocolate (that's my weakness).  In any event, I hope you and your families and colleagues enjoy this odd and kooky holiday.



Boo!  Happy Halloween





Todd Dewett

TVA Inc.

PS:  if you have not been to my blog at www.drdewett.com in a while, check out the funny video of me on a Segway during a recent speaking trip to Fort Lauderdale!