Much like the title character Po in Kung-Fu Panda, most people would be shocked to learn that there is in fact no secret ingredient to almost anything in work or life.

Want to get “in shape?” Eat a balanced diet, exercise quite frequently and get adequate sleep.

Want to learn a new skill? Read a book, take a lesson, and just start doing it. Then practice it every day with intention.

Want to build a new habit? Make it easy, desirable, and follow a simple framework.

You can see where this is going. So what works in the world of work?

It’s Not An Project - It’s A Program

Well in the world of work the answer is slightly more complicated. If you want to create an incredible place to work where your teams thrive you need to

• Be intentional (knowing what you want to achieve and get out of work),

• Assess your ways of working (methods)

• Craft a program

• Get employee feedback

• Adjust based on that feedback

• Craft place(s) that matches these needs

• Add technology that will augment and not hinder your goals (this will happen during the place part above but noting because people always seem to forget it til the last minute)

• And implement the new program with strong change management to help employees integrate

• Leave room for iteration based on further feedback

I won’t lie and say this isn’t a TON of hard work. This needs to be someone (multiple someones) jobs for a reason. Anyone who tries to sell you anything that will give you a “five minute abs” equivalent for workplace is worth avoiding.

Great workplaces require effort, and sustaining programs that enable a productive, healthy, and happy team require far more effort than the ones who make them somewhat satisfied or the ones that actively hinder them.

Just like in Kung-Fu Panda, it’s once Po puts in the work and effort that he finally is able to achieve his dreams. Sure, his kung-fu isn’t the same as others, but he still achieves his goals and becomes a master. Just like Po - a great workplace doesn’t look the same for your team as it might for any other team, and that’s a good thing. If you’re copying and pasting someone else’s workplace, that’s not a real solution and it won’t work for your team.

Delayed Gratification is Hard

As humans we have a very hard time with appreciating long term gains vs short term gratification. We gravitate towards the short term / easy wins like a high five after a happy hour vs building deep meaningful relationships for our teams. But as a friend and advisor said to me recently, “there’s a big difference between activity and progress.”

So let’s make progress as an industry. You can still have high fives, they’ll just be even better ones.