And remember....to have fun....

Managers seem to be quite fond of motivating their people by fueling fantasies of fun jobs. Do fun jobs really exist?

Well, I am not quite sure, I fantasize about being a scuba diving instructor in the red sea...but like any job...you are forced to go out there and smile at the excited smelly tourists and pretend that diving is the secret of the universe while you really wondering if you ever have enough money to retire.

I do believe that fun jobs can exist the same way I believe in the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It is possible, but can it be confirmed or denied?

Now in that metaphor, fun corporate jobs would be rank in rarity right between an E.T. with foot fetish and a predator type alien who likes cuddling.

Having said that, it's very common to see those corporate messages advocating having fun in the work place by simply saying.......have fun. Here is a word of advice to you masters of human psychology, when you want your employees to have fun, do something about it. Suggest an idea, a movie, an event, say something fun, do something beyond ordering them to...."have fun".

Another word of advice, if you are having an event.....and your intention is to motivate people by having fun, please, please I beg you don't do it half-assed. I mean, don't put them through 5 hours of PowerPoint before you go golfing.

Actually, take that as your life's mantra and stop doing half-assed things right now. Do it fully or don't do it at all. Don't call yourself an innovator when EBITDA is the company's religion. And if you are not dynamic, aggressive, or exciting, calling yourself these things would only serve to alienate your employees and expose you for the turd you are.

I don't envy you at all, you corporate slaves. After all, marketing is hardly the truth, otherwise you would have heard of slogans such as "We brought good things to our ex-wives", and tried to pick-up women while driving a Dodge Scavenger or a Dodge Sphincter.

Yes ..I understand your mandate, but all I ask you is to try......try to accomplish the things you preach...and please do not forget to have fun.