I arrived early to set up for an all-hands team meeting, one of those “let’s take a beat and reconnect” sessions the leadership team had asked for. The goal was simple: increase connection, boost engagement, and remind people why their work mattered. I’ve led sessions like this hundreds of times.
A small surprise at work can do what emails and flyers never will, it wakes people up. In the world of Dance Floor Theory™ we call these types of activities Plot Twists. Plot Twists are designed to pull Neutrals out of autopilot and get them to pay attention. A great
Seeing their manager as a baby gave the group more energy than a double espresso shot. Not literally, of course. But instead of her usual bookshelf Zoom background, she had swapped in an old baby photo of herself, bald head, gummy smile, the works. The effect was instant. Everyone on
Bridgewater is an investment firm that has nearly $100 billion in assets under management, but founder Ray Dalio says his most valuable asset isn’t capital, it’s his people. And his secret to keeping them engaged? A $500 bill. Bridgewater’s $500 Secret While most companies give you a branded stress ball
Americans now spend more time with their pets than they do with their friends. This is great news for Fido. Not so great for your workplace. Your dog has probably heard more about your work week than your friends or co-workers. The Social Fitness Crisis and Workplace Loneliness Derek Thompson,
He wasn’t storming out, slamming doors, or sending fiery resignation emails. He was just… fading. This is what disengagement looks like before it turns into quiet quitting. Marcus had been with the company for almost five years. He usually got his work done on time. It was nothing special, but
Moët Hennessy, part of LVMH and valued at around €6 billion, once suggested that an employee take “anti-seduction training” to get promoted. Yes, seriously. When Toxicity Takes Center Stage In 2024, Maria Gasparovic, the former chief of staff at Moët Hennessy, reported misconduct and harassment in the workplace. Instead of
Some interns fetch coffee. Others… bite their colleagues. When a summer intern started at the prestigious Sidley Austin law firm in New York, she made quite an impression, by biting another employee. But despite her strong chomp, she didn’t get fired. Not after the first bite. Not after the second.
After 22 years of Free Hugs, I thought I knew everything about hugs. Then Mickey Mouse proved me wrong. I’ve been running the Free Hugs campaign for years on college campuses, at conferences, even random airports. I know the difference between the polite “thanks, stranger” pat and the “wow, I
If I asked you whether you trust every person in New Jersey, you’d probably say, “Of course not. Have you been on the turnpike?” But here’s the twist. Imagine you’re in a cozy cafe in California. You overhear someone mention they’re from Jersey too. Suddenly, it’s like you’re old friends.
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