Chuck Runyon

I think it is a balance. I think it's the one big aspect that most leaders really struggle with because they're serious, right? They want to get serious work done. And so in the book, we talk about there is science behind play in the workplace and how it fosters collaboration and creativity and alleviates stress.

I think it is a balance. I think it's the one big aspect that most leaders really struggle with because they're serious, right? They want to get serious work done. And so in the book, we talk about there is science behind play in the workplace and how it fosters collaboration and creativity and alleviates stress.

And we use terms like let's take the work seriously without taking ourselves seriously. And that makes us more approachable, which gives us better relationships with our franchisees.

And we use terms like let's take the work seriously without taking ourselves seriously. And that makes us more approachable, which gives us better relationships with our franchisees.

But, you know, even in our meetings, right, we can be kind of playful, which allows us to be, you know, to be vulnerable and, like, put up ideas on the wall that may or may not work or seem foolish, but that may lead to another idea. The simple fact is this. We spend over half our waking hours at work. We do this more than we sleep. We spend more time here than we do with our friends and family.

But, you know, even in our meetings, right, we can be kind of playful, which allows us to be, you know, to be vulnerable and, like, put up ideas on the wall that may or may not work or seem foolish, but that may lead to another idea. The simple fact is this. We spend over half our waking hours at work. We do this more than we sleep. We spend more time here than we do with our friends and family.

And I just think we should have a little bit more fun. It doesn't mean we don't take the work seriously. But, you know, 7 out of 10 people drive to work like they're disenchanted with what they're doing. They're emotionally neutral or they hate their work. That's according to Gallup, and that has not moved in like 20 years. 7 out of 10 people hate their work.

And I just think we should have a little bit more fun. It doesn't mean we don't take the work seriously. But, you know, 7 out of 10 people drive to work like they're disenchanted with what they're doing. They're emotionally neutral or they hate their work. That's according to Gallup, and that has not moved in like 20 years. 7 out of 10 people hate their work.

I'm like, that to me seems like a miserable existence. I want to drive to work seriously. something I'm going to devote over half my waking hours to. It's something I enjoy with people I enjoy and something I stand for. And so I got to have fun. And, you know, I'm telling you, there is, you can, there's a science behind it.

I'm like, that to me seems like a miserable existence. I want to drive to work seriously. something I'm going to devote over half my waking hours to. It's something I enjoy with people I enjoy and something I stand for. And so I got to have fun. And, you know, I'm telling you, there is, you can, there's a science behind it.

It is another one of the four Ps that just elevates your team's performance. And I know leaders have a tough time like embracing it, but if, but if you read the book, it has ideas in there, it's got tips in there, it's got some stories there and it has the data and science to show that play in the workplace makes sense.

It is another one of the four Ps that just elevates your team's performance. And I know leaders have a tough time like embracing it, but if, but if you read the book, it has ideas in there, it's got tips in there, it's got some stories there and it has the data and science to show that play in the workplace makes sense.

All right, I have one more question for you. So before that, where should people go, Chuck, if they want to connect with you or learn about the book or whatever?

All right, I have one more question for you. So before that, where should people go, Chuck, if they want to connect with you or learn about the book or whatever?

They can get the book on Amazon. It is just simply Love Work, one word there, by Chuck Onion and Dave Mortensen.

They can get the book on Amazon. It is just simply Love Work, one word there, by Chuck Onion and Dave Mortensen.

Awesome. Well, the last thing, if somebody is listening, let's say they are a medium-sized business owner or a big business owner or even a small business owner or whatever, what's the very first thing you would tell them, the first thing you can do that will start to move the needle on restoring the health of your culture?

Awesome. Well, the last thing, if somebody is listening, let's say they are a medium-sized business owner or a big business owner or even a small business owner or whatever, what's the very first thing you would tell them, the first thing you can do that will start to move the needle on restoring the health of your culture?

Be very transparent, be very vulnerable and get your team like just simply go sit with them asking questions and say, hey, I would love to improve the workplace culture here. I think we all would, right? We all want a better place to work. How can we do that? I mean, just your team is eager to give great ideas and to give perspectives, and they want a great workplace environment, too.

Be very transparent, be very vulnerable and get your team like just simply go sit with them asking questions and say, hey, I would love to improve the workplace culture here. I think we all would, right? We all want a better place to work. How can we do that? I mean, just your team is eager to give great ideas and to give perspectives, and they want a great workplace environment, too.