Defining Fun in the Workplace

Wilfley’s hockey team, White Quail Hockey Club, retains its position of title holder to the Division 2 adult hockey league competition in Lowry, Colorado this month, marking its third trophy in three seasons.

“A bloody good showing,” remarked the captain. “We came savage as a meat axe, fully chiseled as per usual for these here type (of) things.”

Wilfley, captain of White Quail and employee of A.R. Wilfley & Sons, Inc., started the hockey club in 2014, discovering that there were several interested players throughout all ranks of Wilfley during an annual event.

“Threw it up there for a hit, and six or seven un-licked cubs jumped on it. White Quail began.”

The first competition entered was a huge success, as White Quail came away with a competition victory and a gold cup.

“We were just a bunch of scamps turned square-riggers looking for a few sockdologers here and there. We didn’t really think we’d have much success with any W’s or anything, just a bit of fun, you know?”

Wins they found, and as they went up a division, more success came their way.

“Yeah, we didn’t get many (wins) through (the) regular (season), but (we) always come for the playoffs.”

Winning the championship two seasons in a row, and in a higher division made it all seem more real for the team, demonstrating their legitimacy to be considered skaters.

“No more havy-cavy nonsense after (that), you know,” commented Wilfley.

And, now a third championship in three seasons, more hardware for the office shelf is at hand.

Said Wilfley, “We’re heavy duty pump manufacturers. We take pride in all we do, even our sport. We work hard, play hard, and define our success through our results and drive; outside the workplace is no different. There are some of us here that even find not much of a distinction between the two, (work and play).”

Perhaps what Wilfley meant, or was touching on, was something along the lines of what some businesses experience these days; no sharp distinction between work and play. Like an English minister of the 1930s once said,

“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”

Regardless, Wilfley’s definition of fun in the workplace, or on the ice, or together as a team in some function is evident in all they do. Walking the production floor, the owners and the machinists, the assemblers and the welders, are all as though cut from the same fabric of success.

“Good times, bad times, or perfect storms grave digging with no way to turn, we shake it off, no great shakes, focus on particulars, and carry on. (There’s) so much to work for here,” stated Wilfley.

When asked about improving creativity and job satisfaction, or an environment that intentionally encourages enjoyable activities for positive impact, heightened productivity and attitude, Wilfley smiled and remarked, “We’re as one. We’re a family, and family looks after (each other). But, (family’s are) all different. Our (family) just likes to work hard, and therefore play hard. Cutting chips or lacing up the skates on the dew beaters…doesn’t matter, it’s just who we are.”

If there is such a categorization of fun motivating functions at a workplace, be it personal milestones to social events, public celebrations of professional achievements to opportunities for personal development, it’s clear that Wilfley finds a harder edge.

“Have to. If we’re to be a huckleberry above a persimmon, of which we absolutely aim, then a rough edge is an apple pie order for us to compete in this industry. We’ll take any edge we can, even the smart sprinkle (of) taxing slogs. We’ll milk (the) pigeon. No one else seems to these days, so bully for us!”

Inspiring words….I think.

“Not Poodle!”

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