Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Bree Groff, transformation consultant, speaker, and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously). Bree challenges the idea that work must be draining to be valuable, offering a refreshing and practical vision for how leaders can help teams thrive, and even enjoy, their workdays.

They explore how her upbringing shaped her perspective on work, why so many teams normalize burnout and busyness, and how leaders can model a healthier, more joyful approach. Bree introduces rituals, such as user manuals and daily check-ins, that foster trust and psychological safety, and she explains what it means to build "cozy teams" that perform through connection. You'll also hear her take on performative professionalism and how to lead without losing your humanity.

If you're looking for ways to lead with more energy, authenticity, and yes, fun, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• "Most work, most days, should be fun."
• "Being busy is not the same as being brilliant."
• "Cozy teams are teams that trust each other enough to tell the truth."
• "We've confused being professional with looking professional."
• "You can either be consumed by your calendar or create space to consume ideas."
• "Even shoveling tough work can be joyful if you like your co-shovelers."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:00 Start of Interview
• 02:03 Bree's Background and Family Influence
• 05:47 The Normalization of Burnout
• 10:54 Optimizing for Good Laughs with Good People
• 17:50 Performative Professionalism vs. Authenticity
• 26:26 Creating Fun and Cozy Work Environments
• 33:08 Building a Trusting and High-Performing Team
• 34:42 Practical Tools for Team Cohesion
• 35:15 The User Manual: A Quickstart Guide to Teamwork
• 37:01 Daily Check-ins: Enhancing Team Communication
• 38:28 The Fast Food Rule: Effective One-on-One Communication
• 40:38 Prioritizing Personal Well-being for Better Work
• 46:24 Milton Glaser: Finding Pleasure in Work
• 49:45 Applying Team Principles in Family Life
• 51:39 End of Interview
• 52:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 56:52 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Bree and her work at BreeGroff.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 458 with Elizabeth Lotardo, about finding joy in the job you have
• Episode 333 with Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo, on how to make work more fun
• Episode 82 with Bill Catlette, about how contented teams deliver better results

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Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Work Culture, Team Rituals, Burnout, Psychological Safety, Joy at Work, Authenticity, People Management, Communication, Employee Engagement, Project Management, Emotional Intelligence

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license