Whistle while you work

Is it possible to "whistle while you work"?

Based on our recent experience, it would seem so!

Last month we had the privilege of putting on our sixth workshop for a major player in the world of luxury cosmetics. We worked with an extraordinary team of women who fearlessly embody the company motto:

We believe if at first you don’t succeed, APPLY MORE LIPSTICK…that SEXY gets you everywhere…and if you can’t be good, BE GORGEOUS. We believe LAUGHTER IS THE BEST COSMETIC!

When we first entered the magnificent listed building, located in the outer suburbs of London, we were immediately seduced by the contrast between the outside - extremely dignified and low key - and the interior -modern and glamorous. It is decorated from head to toe in pink;the chill areas are pink; the treatment rooms are pink; even the foosball table is pink! The atmosphere reflects the company's philosophy: luxury, humor and the desire to work with a smile.

Work hard, sure, but in a relaxing atmosphere - a cocoon. Standing here, it's easy to forget that this company is present in 45 countries, its turnover is steadily increasing and the company always puts forward its mission "to support women in education and employment.”

So now let’s get on, facilitating an Action Painting Workshop for 22 participants oozing with energy and curiousity, tinged with a (pink?) smudge of nerves. What awaits them behind that door?

Our audience was a group of Regional Training Managers who had gathered for the serious business of testing and getting to grips with new products. Our job was to help them end their day with a bit of creative fun.

Carrying through the more serious part of the day, we asked them to consider:

• How can we be more passionate in our team?
• How can we make sure that we are conscientious in our work?
• How can we stay motivated and help motivate others in our team?

We began the serious part of the workshop with the theme "What is my best quality? What do I bring to the team?” and asked them to express their answers in painting - abstractly! During the debriefing of this part of the activity we came to understand one of the reasons these women, every last one of them, seemed so fulfilled: they all answered with no hesitation. They were able to immediately identify where their strengths lie. In their own words:

• I have great empathy for others and, as soon as the girls seem demotivated, I invite them to confide in me so I can help them deal with it.
• I have great organisational skills. I am very rational - as soon as the team feels dispersed, I put us back on track.

All 22 ladies, one by one, shared with us, and with their colleagues, what they manage to bring to the team.

We were stunned to see how at ease they all felt doing this and how each of them was able to find something they are really good at and identify how that skill strengthens the group.

The moral of this story? You don’t have to be a dwarf to "whistle while you work" - this amazing group of ladies does just that.