Management Tip of the Day: Make the Job More Like a Game

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile DECEMBER 28, 2012 Make the Job More Like a Game No manager ever says, "Let's make our company a boring place to work." Yet, many do exactly that. To instill more fun and excitement into work, design jobs so they feel more like games. This means providing a sharply focused, urgent goal and a very tight deadline. Set up autonomous teams and encourage them to experiment. Even long-term goals can be broken into smaller game-like chunks. Think 10 or 15 weeks instead of 6 months of a year. For each goal, ask a team to plan an approach and carry it out. The whole effort should encourage creativity. Most importantly, take note of and celebrate successes along the way. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Make the Job a Game" by Robert H. Schaffer. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Communicating for Results A Harvard ManageMentor Skill Pack Effective communication is a key driver for achieving desired results on a personal or business level. This interactive, online Harvard ManageMentor Skill Pack includes four critical topic modules designed to help you apply the knowledge and skills you need to improve your communication. The four topics are: Presentation Skills, Negotiating, Persuading Others, and Writing Skills. Each online module includes a comprehensive overview in Core Concepts, a set of "how to" action steps, tips, a self-test, and interactive exercises that help you prepare for real-world challenges. Also of Interest: • Mastering Finance Fundamentals • Improving Productivity • Mastering Business Fundamentals • Managing More Effectively ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Keep Your Network Active Don't Hurt Your Own Cause Spark Innovation with These 3 Words Get Ahead Without the Corporate Ladder Start Persuading Your Audience Before the Presentation Don't Grow Your Business Too Fast Create Rituals to Get More Done Take More Vacation Two Rules for Keeping Employees Happy and Engaged Focus Your Sales Pitch by Subtraction All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)