Last week I attended a breakfast seminar with Steve Lundin as guest speaker.
Steve has pioneered the FISH! Philosophy around the world with the basis of his philosophy the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, USA, a wildly successful fishmonger and now a tourist attraction.
Steve explained to the audience that the FISH! Philosophy is a set of simple, practical tools to help create the work culture that every employer is looking for….a workplace where people are at play, where people are genuinely engaged in the work they do –rather than just doing time- they become inspired to innovate.
During the presentation Steve introduced us to what he believes are the four cornerstones to a successful small or large organisation.
- Play
- Make their day
- Be present or ‘there’, and
- Choose your Attitude.
Essentially, when people are engaged they do. At the Pike Place Fish Market they throw fish, chant and joke with customers. At another company I know of, they do the chicken dance and celebrate each others accomplishments. There are a million ways to play. It doesn’t have to be throwing a fish. What are the ways you play in your workplace?
The fish guys at the market intend to make someone’s day every day, the second step to a successful business. They have learned that when you have an intention, opportunities show up. For example, at a company called Tile Tech, they discovered a great way to make an employee’s day and have a little fun too. The boss went out to a job site at midday and surprised all the employees with three motorised scooters to ride. It provided a great break in the day and a powerful message from the boss that employees are valued.
“Why can’t we be just where we are?” In our fast paced world we live in, “be there” is a complex skill. The distractions and pressures to take the eye off the task at hand and get pulled into the surrounding chaos are overwhelming. The fish guys are not selling fish. They are working to improve the quality of life on the planet, one engagement at a time…and they sell alot of fish! This is not something they could accomplish while distracted, disinterested, while talking on a mobile phone or disengaged. They are present physically for their customers, and they are also present in spirit. They know how to “be where they are.”
The fish guys are aware that they choose their attitude each day. As one of the fish guys said, “When you are doing what you are doing, who are you being? Are you being impatient and bored, or are you being world famous? You are going to act differently if you are being world famous.” Who do we want to be while we are doing our work?
The FISH! Philosophy fulfills the most basic needs of human beings who, in turn fulfill the needs of the business – more connected teams, better communication, extraordinary service and higher retention.
It may be time to loosen up. Play more, make an employees or a customers day, be present and to choose your attitude.
If you would like to know more about the FISH philosophy or, to implement FISH into your business, give us a call or email us NOW.
If you would like to know more about the FISH philosophy or, to implement FISH into your business, give us a call or email us NOW.
