Giving more meaning to employees doing mundane work

So your staff members complain their work is dull and boring? 

They can’t stand the routine and repetition any longer.  You feel like you are managing a toxic energy dump.   Let’s be honest, this is quite possibly the view of the majority of the paid workforce.

Mundane work is a fact of life.  Repetitive, basic tasks form the basis of most jobs.  Even Hugh Jackman would have felt he was just going through the motions after his Broadway season in The Boy from Oz.  Jackman performed a record 397 shows.  Every night, the same songs, the same dancing.  He did not miss a single show.

Ok, so Broadway cabaret might be a little more stimulating than our own jobs.  But how can we create our own element of razzle dazzle in our daily work and that of our staff?

In 2000, authors Harry Paul, John Christensen and Stephen Lundin published their enormously successful motivational book FISH!  The FISH! philosophy is about bringing fun and enthusiasm to the work place.  Enthusiastic staff can have a dramatic effect on results and morale.

The FISH! story is based on the “world famous” Seattle Fish Markets.  Despite the unappealing nature of their work (handling wet, smelly fish) the staff would draw a crowd of on-lookers and customers to the market.  They would entertain the crowd with their banter, songs and obvious enjoyment.  These guys did not own the business but they could see the benefits in making the business profitable and being personally accountable.

Turning a mundane job around is all about attitude.  Attitude is something we choose.  The fishmongers chose to love the work they were doing, even if they were not doing the work they love.

Inspired managers can help their staff to choose the right attitude.  Acknowledge that much of their work is boring.  Let them in on the fact that much of yours is boring too.  Multi-skill or share tasks amongst staff to increase variety.  Become brothers in arms and turn the boredom around.

Mundane work needs serious action.  Get serious about having a good time at work.  The work will still get done but everyone’s mood will lighten which will provide an energy boost.  Find ways to instill a playful culture at work.  An environment of fun fosters creativity, trust and information sharing.

Good communication will also help turn the ship of boredom around.  Be attentive with your staff and customers and they will return the favour.  Make eye contact when they speak to you.  Respond directly to their questions or requests.  Smile – with your voice if necessary.  There is no simple answer to the challenge of mundane work, but all these actions impact on the ‘feel good’ meter and help staff feel better about their day.

Automation and IT advances have increased the repetitive nature of our work in many cases.  Almost every industry has had the scope of job function narrowed by technological development.  This progression will not change.  The human brain requires continual stimulation.  Good managers must be in tune with this physiological imperative and create a workplace environment that is rewarding and satisfying.  It is possible to stamp out boring and mundane workplaces, regardless of the nature of the work.