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All Work and No Play Makes Jack Welch a Dull Boy
Sep 10
One-third of CEOs play online games while at work.
That’s according to an online games report published in Online Media Daily. Their summary: All work and no play makes Jack Welch a dull boy.
While playing puzzle, word or other casual online games at work could be categorized as a distraction, the effects actually seemed to be beneficial to productivity, according to the survey. Some 84% of white-collar workers who admitted to playing at the office said they felt “more relaxed and less stressed out” after a short game break, and 52% reported feeling more confident, more energetic, more productive and/or more mentally focused.
So, enough with the IT and HR Gestapo who think that game play is all bad. (They’re the same ones who think napping is a bad idea). Your CEO is doing it. Maybe it’s time learn to let go. Live a little. You can always press “New Game.”
About the Author
Frank Roche
Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.
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During a stressed work day, these games really do help folks relax. Let’s work and let’s play. Too much of either and it just won’t cut it!
Robyn, you are so good at talking about the play element…I think I must have been inspired by your good writing on the topic. Play and naps, those are two hot buttons for me.
Playfulness is an absolutely crucial part of performance at work. Indeed, to perform consistently in all areas of work you need to be able to access all eight motivational states (according to Reversal Theory) of which playfulness is one.
The playful state contributes to creativity and innovation, and indeed productivity – but only when the task at hand is being done for its own sake and not when playing games. That raises a crucial point. Does the CEO or any other worker use games as a brief “break” to change motivational state, before going back to a more “serious” task (such as planning); to get into a more creative place to take on another activity; or is it a state that they can get stuck in (which would detract from performance) and find that they are unable to put the game away?
Out of interest, the 8 states of Reversal Theory, which is a powerful theory of motivation and emotion, are:
Playful
Serious
Conforming
Rebellious
Mastery
Sympathy
Self
Other
For more information about the theory go to http://www.reversaltheory.org or to see how we use it in business go to http://www.apterinternational.com.
Rob, very interesting read and take, indeed. I’m looking more on your site…excellent stuff.
Robyn’s right about stress and playfulness is certainly a part of creativity, BUT what does that survey actually tell us?
It was an online survey. I don’t know for sure, but I wonder if the folks who fill out online surveys match up pretty well with the folks who also play online games.
The other thing that jumped out at me from the original story was that there was no age control on this survey. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be much sample selection at all. I wonder how many of the CEOs around my age (61 1/2) would take this survey and if they did, I wonder if a third play online games.
This is an interesting piece but there isn’t a finding here you can hang your hat on.
Robyn, very interesting read and take, indeed. I’m looking more on your site…excellent stuff. Play and naps, those are two hot buttons for me.