The Game of Work

How to Enjoy Work as Much as Play

by Charles Coonradt • 1999 • 195 pages

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Business Self Help Personal Development

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Key Takeaways

1. Apply the motivation of recreation to work for increased productivity

People will pay for the privilege of working harder than they will work when they are paid.

Recreational motivation principles: The motivation found in recreational activities can be applied to the workplace to increase productivity and engagement. These principles include:

Clearly defined goals
Better scorekeeping and scorecards
More frequent feedback
A higher degree of personal choice of methods
Consistent coaching

By implementing these principles, businesses can create an environment where employees are as enthusiastic about their work as they are about their hobbies and sports. This approach taps into the intrinsic motivation that drives people to excel in their personal pursuits and harnesses it for professional success.

2. Set clear, specific, and measurable goals to drive performance

Goals that are not written are merely wishes.

Effective goal-setting criteria:

Must be written
Must be your own
Must be positive
Must be measurable and specific
Must be stated in inflation-proof terms
Must be stated in the most visible terms available
Must contain a deadline
Must allow for personality changes
Must contain an interrelated statement of benefits
Must be realistic and obtainable

Written goals provide clarity, commitment, and a tangible target to work towards. They should be specific, measurable, and time-bound to ensure progress can be tracked effectively. Goals should also be aligned with personal aspirations and company objectives to maximize motivation and engagement.

3. Implement effective scorekeeping systems to track progress

If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

Key aspects of effective scorekeeping:

Simplicity and objectivity
Self-administration
Comparison between current personal performance, past personal performance, and an accepted standard
Dynamic nature, allowing players to review their performance during the game

Implementing a clear and objective scorekeeping system enables employees to track their progress and understand their performance in real-time. This transparency fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, driving continuous improvement. Self-administered scorekeeping empowers employees to take charge of their performance and provides immediate feedback on their efforts.

4. Provide frequent and meaningful feedback to accelerate improvement

When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement accelerates.

Benefits of frequent feedback:

Improves quality and quantity of performance
Allows for timely course corrections
Enhances motivation and engagement
Facilitates continuous learning and improvement

Increasing the frequency of feedback improves the quality and quantity of performance. When feedback is illustrated on charts and graphs, its impact is even greater. Regular feedback sessions provide opportunities to celebrate successes, address challenges, and align efforts with goals. This constant communication loop creates a culture of continuous improvement and helps employees stay focused on their objectives.

5. Offer choices to employees to increase engagement and ownership

Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, and play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.

Importance of choice in the workplace:

Increases motivation and engagement
Fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility
Encourages creativity and innovation
Aligns personal goals with organizational objectives

Offering employees choices in how they approach their work can significantly increase their engagement and sense of ownership. This autonomy allows them to play to their strengths and find innovative solutions to challenges. By giving workers more freedom within the bounds of the business, managers can tap into their intrinsic motivation and achieve better results.

6. Establish a well-defined field of play for clarity and consistency

Great managers constantly seek to minimize uncertainty.

Elements of a well-defined field of play:

Clear boundaries and rules
Consistent application of policies
Transparent expectations
Defined areas of responsibility and authority

A clearly defined field of play provides employees with the certainty and consistency they need to perform at their best. It sets clear expectations, defines boundaries, and establishes the rules of the game. This clarity minimizes confusion and allows employees to focus on their performance within the established framework, much like athletes operating within the rules of their sport.

7. Cultivate a winning attitude and mindset among team members

Everybody is born with an equal chance to become just as unequal as he or she possibly can.

Characteristics of winners:

Are prepared
Expect to win
Are specific and positive
Accept personal responsibility for their actions
Don't seek to change the rules
Pay the price willingly
Set goals

Fostering a winning attitude among team members involves cultivating these characteristics. Encourage preparation, positive expectations, personal responsibility, and goal-setting. Create an environment where team members are willing to put in the effort required for success and view challenges as opportunities for growth.

8. Utilize the Results-to-Resources Ratio for efficient management

If winning isn't important, why do we spend all that money on scoreboards?

Implementing Results-to-Resources Ratio (RRR):

Identify key resources (e.g., time, labor, equipment)
Define measurable results (e.g., sales, production output)
Create a ratio that relates results to resources
Track and analyze this ratio over time
Use insights to optimize resource allocation and improve efficiency

The Results-to-Resources Ratio provides a clear measure of efficiency and effectiveness. By tracking this ratio, managers can identify areas for improvement, optimize resource allocation, and drive better overall performance. This approach helps focus efforts on activities that yield the highest return on investment.

9. Select winners based on performance and potential

Freedom is greatest when the boundaries are clearly defined.

Criteria for selecting winners:

Past performance and track record
Willingness to be accountable and keep score
Belief in themselves and ability to relate past success to future assignments
Commitment to team direction
Coachability and openness to leadership

When hiring or promoting, look for individuals who have demonstrated success in similar roles and show potential for growth. Seek candidates who are willing to be held accountable, can see the connection between their past achievements and future responsibilities, and are open to coaching and continuous improvement.

10. Coach effectively to bring out the best in your team

All coaching is, is taking a player where he can't take himself.

Effective coaching strategies:

Understand individual motivations (WIIFM - What's In It For Me?)
Explain the reasons behind tasks (WSI - Why Should I?)
Make team members feel important (MMFI - Make Me Feel Important)
Tailor your approach to different personalities
Provide clear expectations and feedback
Foster a supportive and challenging environment

Effective coaching involves understanding individual motivations, explaining the purpose behind tasks, and making team members feel valued. Tailor your coaching approach to each individual's personality and needs. Provide clear expectations, regular feedback, and create an environment that both supports and challenges team members to reach their full potential.

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Last updated: April 9, 2025

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FAQ

What's "The Game of Work" about?

Overview:"The Game of Work" by Charles Coonradt explores how to make work as enjoyable and engaging as play by applying principles from sports and recreation to the workplace.
Core Concept: The book emphasizes the importance of clear goals, scorekeeping, feedback, choice, and defined fields of play to enhance motivation and productivity at work.
Human Nature: It argues that people naturally enjoy activities where they know the rules and can measure their progress, which is often missing in traditional work environments.
Practical Application: Coonradt provides practical tools and methods to implement these principles in various business settings to improve employee engagement and performance.

Why should I read "The Game of Work"?

Improved Motivation: The book offers insights into increasing motivation and productivity by aligning work with human nature's preference for play.
Practical Tools: It provides actionable strategies and tools that can be applied immediately to enhance workplace dynamics and results.
Universal Principles: The principles discussed are applicable across different industries and roles, making it a versatile resource for managers and employees alike.
Proven Success: The methods have been tested and proven effective in numerous organizations, offering a reliable framework for achieving better work outcomes.

What are the key takeaways of "The Game of Work"?

Defined Goals: Clearly defined goals are crucial for motivation and success, similar to how goals function in sports.
Effective Scorekeeping: Regular and objective scorekeeping helps individuals and teams understand their performance and areas for improvement.
Frequent Feedback: Providing consistent and constructive feedback accelerates performance improvement and keeps employees engaged.
Empowerment through Choice: Allowing employees to have a say in their work methods increases ownership and motivation.

How does Charles Coonradt suggest improving workplace motivation?

Align Work with Play: Coonradt suggests making work more like play by incorporating elements such as clear goals, scorekeeping, and feedback.
Self-Motivation: Encourage self-motivation by allowing employees to set personal goals that align with company objectives.
Feedback Mechanisms: Implement regular feedback systems to keep employees informed about their performance and progress.
Choice and Autonomy: Provide employees with choices in how they achieve their goals to foster a sense of ownership and commitment.

What is the "Results-to-Resources Ratio" in "The Game of Work"?

Definition: The Results-to-Resources Ratio (RRR) is a key concept in the book that measures how effectively resources are being used to achieve results.
Application: It involves identifying the most valuable results and the most expensive resources, then creating a ratio to track efficiency.
Purpose: The RRR helps managers and employees understand the relationship between input and output, guiding better resource allocation.
Benefits: By focusing on RRR, organizations can improve productivity and profitability by optimizing the use of their resources.

How does "The Game of Work" define effective scorekeeping?

Simplicity and Objectivity: Scorekeeping should be simple and objective, focusing on clear metrics that are easy to understand and track.
Self-Administered: Employees should be involved in keeping their own scores to foster accountability and engagement.
Comparative Analysis: Effective scorekeeping allows for comparison between current and past performance, as well as against set standards.
Dynamic Feedback: Scorekeeping should provide real-time feedback to enable timely adjustments and improvements.

What role does feedback play in "The Game of Work"?

Accelerates Improvement: Feedback is crucial for accelerating performance improvement by providing timely and relevant information.
Frequency Matters: Increasing the frequency of feedback enhances both the quality and quantity of performance.
Graphical Representation: Using charts and graphs to illustrate feedback can make it more impactful and easier to understand.
Feedback as Motivation: Regular feedback helps employees know if they are winning or losing, which is essential for maintaining motivation.

How does Charles Coonradt address goal setting in "The Game of Work"?

Written Goals: Goals must be written to be effective, as this makes them tangible and easier to track.
Personal Ownership: Goals should be personal and align with individual motivations to ensure commitment and drive.
Positive Framing: Goals should be stated positively to encourage a focus on achievement rather than avoidance of failure.
Measurable and Specific: Goals need to be specific and measurable to provide clear direction and benchmarks for success.

What are the attitudes of winners according to "The Game of Work"?

Preparation: Winners are always prepared and have a clear plan for achieving their goals.
Expectation to Win: They expect to win and approach challenges with confidence and determination.
Responsibility: Winners take personal responsibility for their actions and outcomes, avoiding blame and excuses.
Rule Understanding: They seek to understand the rules thoroughly to leverage them for success rather than trying to change them.

What are some of the best quotes from "The Game of Work" and what do they mean?

"People will pay for the privilege of working harder than they will work when they are paid." This highlights the idea that people are naturally motivated to engage in activities they enjoy and understand, even if it requires more effort.
"In the absence of clearly defined goals, we are forced to concentrate on activity and ultimately become enslaved by it." This emphasizes the importance of having clear goals to guide purposeful and productive work.
"Feedback is the breakfast of champions." This underscores the critical role of feedback in driving performance and improvement.
"Freedom is greatest when the boundaries are clearly defined." This suggests that clear boundaries and expectations empower individuals to perform at their best.

How can managers implement the principles of "The Game of Work"?

Define Clear Goals: Managers should work with employees to set clear, measurable, and achievable goals that align with organizational objectives.
Establish Scorekeeping Systems: Implement systems that allow employees to track their performance and progress in real-time.
Provide Regular Feedback: Create a culture of continuous feedback to keep employees informed and motivated.
Empower Employees: Give employees the autonomy to choose how they achieve their goals, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.

What is the significance of the "Field of Play" in "The Game of Work"?

Defined Boundaries: The "Field of Play" refers to the clear boundaries and rules within which employees operate, similar to a sports field.
Minimizing Uncertainty: Clearly defined fields of play reduce uncertainty, allowing employees to focus on achieving their goals.
Consistency and Fairness: Establishing a consistent field of play ensures fairness and transparency in performance evaluation.
Foundation for Success: A well-defined field of play is essential for setting realistic goals and creating an environment where employees can succeed.