The Game of Work by Charles A. Coonradt

Charles A Coonradt's book, The Game of Work, puts work and work rules in the context of sports. According to the author work should provide the challenge, fun and specific rules set out in sports.  The same people that will put in extra time to excel at a sport in less than desirable conditions will complain about doing work under the same conditions (eg.: skiing vs. working in a snow storm).

One of the interesting comments involved reward for performance.  During a football game a touchdown is still 6 points no matter how easy or hard it was to achieve it.  Companies often change the rules of incentives if employees appear to reach the goal too easily.  This reduces the incentive for employees to strive for success. In a  more devious scenario the markers for success are hidden from employees and rewards are given out based on changing criteria known only to those with the purse strings.

The author advocates allowing employees some flexibility in adjusting their time schedules to accomplish production targets.  Before hunting season, one company allowed workers to shift their schedules to work more hours earlier in the week and for the employees to leave on Thursday to allow them to hunt if the production target was met.  The motivated workers completed the task by Wednesday at noon.

The boundaries of the field of play also reflect the boundaries at work.  These behaviors or activities are listed as not acceptable with specific penalties listed for infractions similar to those penalties in a football game.

This book provided a fresh perspective on work and offers managers guidance for keeping employees motivated and treated fairly.

The Game of Work - Autobody repair shops - 2 min. 2014

Using the rules of sports for the game of work - 18 min. 2013