I sent treasury secretary Timothy Geithner a copy of Fun Works, Creating Places Where People Love to Work. This was in response to my learning that Treasury had put a change project involving a humor consultant on hold--back in the late spring.

In my note, I told him I was sympathetic with his well intentioned effort and also with how challenging it is to get the "change" ball rolling. I told him,

"places where people love to work, is a need to have, not a nice to have."

Humor fits into a piece of the puzzle, but it's secondary to a workplace culture aimed at promoting performance by supporting people love what they do, and love to come to work.

The goal is to build a sustainable culture based in supporting everything which fuels motivation, great communication and compelling work relationships. When people feel great about their job, humor naturally fits in.

Yet, it's not surprising to learn the change initiative at treasury got put on hold. During economic downturns, all sorts of change initiatives go on hold, are withdrawn, or, are otherwise disrupted as businesses "re-rationalize" their cultures.

I'll be forthright about this: during bad times, some company's work cultures regress. When this happens, it's neither necessary or nice!

My sense? Back-to-basics and people-power still need to be partnered together during challenging times..

Companies that have already really proven the value of the advanced, people-focused organization won't easily give up these commitments. One reason is: having a great workplace culture is a tremendous competitive advantage. ...during good times and downturns.

Let me know what you think. As always, feel free to pass along, opt in or opt out of my newsletter. Feel free to forward it along.

Have great days,

Leslie