All across the country, people are celebrating our nation’s birth today. Eclectic parades are rolling down streets from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Sidney, British Columbia. Folks are firing up their barbecues and grilling premium Alberta beef. Kids are screaming around parks and backyards smeared in red and white face paint. We’re all pouring maple syrup on our poutine because that’s what Canadians do, eh? In addition to all the fun people are having today, here are three workplace lessons from Canada Day celebrations.
Celebrate diversity
My dad absolutely loves the Sidney, BC Canada Day Parade. Why? Because of how fiercely – and ridiculously – every single community member is included in the celebration. Senior citizens, kids, immigrants, rotary club members, folks with disabilities, sports teams, maritime history enthusiasts, bankers, bakers, animal lovers, and everybody else who wants into the event are given access to it. Think about this when you’re organizing your next workplace event – not everyone wants to party exactly the same way that you do. For example, I have a weird disability that makes me allergic to the Sun so it made me feel included when my colleagues who were organizing a workplace event arranged a kick-ass, shade-spreading tent for everyone who wanted some relief from UV rays. Be sure to crowdsource ideas for activities and venues rather than planning a workplace celebration by going it alone.
Celebrate being kind and funny
FACT: Canadians have a reputation for being nice and for being hilarious, too. When I attend Canada Day celebrations I experience more laughter, generosity and kind-hearted self-deprecation than I know what to do with, not to mention gratitude for where we live. Imagine if you could replicate even some of this in your workplace! I’ve written before about how creating and sustaining contagious enthusiasm in the workplace enhances productivity. Building on that, Inc magazine’s Rene Lacarte explores how aspiring towards generousity and kindness can align with career success – people want to work with kind and fun (maybe even funny) people who espouse positivity and inspire the same in others. It’s how Canada (when we’re at our best) behaves and it’s how leaders should show up as well.
Celebrate red things
About a year ago, I read a great Fast Company article about what the colour of a company’s logo says about them. I think there’s a lot to be said about how our redness is something to celebrate.
Red is often associated with the heat of sun and fire and is considered a high-arousal color, often stimulating people to take risks, according to color think tank, Pantone. It has also been shown to stimulate the senses and raise blood pressure, and it may arouse feelings of power, energy, passion, love, aggression, or danger.
Canada Day is when people get pretty passionate about our country (and we also have pretty big appetites, too). Think about how you might create spaces and places for your colleagues to celebrate your organization in ways that are meaningful to them.
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