The lessons imparted in Fish are very simple and provocatively empowering. The authors assert that employees in the workplace have the power to change their own attitudes about their work, creating a positive environment that will not only be more productive but happier in their lives.
Clearly, these are not novel ideas, but what gives them power is that Fish! uses as an example of this management technique the Pike Place fish market in Seattle, which is known for its lively fishmongers tossing fish to and fro. The idea is that if these workers, who have very difficult jobs that are not particularly lucrative, can maintain an amazingly motivated attitude about their work, then so can anyone.
3. About the Author
Stephen C. Lundin, also referred to as the “Big
Tuna Ph.D.,” is a writer, filmmaker, public speaker
and head counselor of the Fish! Camps.
John Christensen is a filmmaker and CEO of Chart
House Learning, producer of corporate learning
programs, including Fish!, the video.
Harry Paul is a speaker, a consulting partner with
the Ken Blanchard Companies and director of
speaker services at Nelson Motivation.
Philip Strand is a senior writer of books and
curricula at Chart House Learning
4. Prelude
On a visit to Seattle , Christensen observed how animated and happy the employees
at Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market were in their work. They filled orders by flinging
fish to each other, inciting laughter from the customers and compliments about their
throwing/catching abilities, or commiseration if they missed. Employees would often
invite customers to join the fun. The Pike Place employees gave their complete
attention to each of their customers and ensured each had an enjoyable visit.
Christensen realized that not only were the workers making a routine errand fun for
themselves and their customers, they also were selling tons of fish. He constructed
the FISH! Philosophy from his observations of Pike Place employees, arriving at four
key concepts:
Play , Make Their Day , Be There [for Co-workers] (Often referred to as "Be
Present" This is more to do with giving your full attention to a task or
individual.)
Choose Your Attitude
The resulting FISH! film was translated into 17 languages and spawned a series of
spin-off book titles, including Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve
Results which has been translated into 34 languages.[ Many companies and
organizations have paid to introduce the FISH! Philosophy to their workplaces
5. Four corner stones Fish Philosophy
Bring the “Joy of living” to the place you are “ Making the living”
6. Make work like a Play
Happy People treat others well
Fun leads to creativity
Time passes quickly
Work becomes reward & not a way to reward
7. Make their day
It’s about doing something
special for your customers and
your peers . When you make
someone’s day , you have
given them a special gift they
won’t soon forget. It feels good
to give it.
If you are feeling down & your deal with someone who’s up-
beat & friendly , you can’t help but absorb some of their
energy
Make a difference for everyone around you . “ Make their
day “ by having fun & inviting others to join in.
8. Make their day
It is good for business
Serving customers well will
give us the satisfaction
that comes to those who
serve others.
It will focus our attention away from our problems
onto how we can make a positive difference to
others.
This is healthy, will feel good, & will unleash even
more energy.
9. You may not be working on your
dream job at the moment , it doesn't
matter. You still have a choice.
You can pass through work on your
way to somewhere else or you can
choose to make a difference by the
way you spend the life energy you
give to work
10. Be there
The past is history
The future is a mystery
Today is a gift
That is why we call it the present
FocusedFully
Engaged
12. Choose your attitude
You can choose the way
you do your work , even if
there is not a choice about
the work itself .
Choosing the right attitude
for the day should become
a daily routine. This will
provide the energy & faith
you need to guide you
through the day.
Everyday you have an opportunity to decide for yourself
what attitude you will have at work , home or school
13. Our Work place
As you enter this place of work,
please Choose to make today a
great day. Your colleagues,
customers, team members &
yourself will be thankful.
Find ways to Play. We can be
serious about our work without
being serious about ourselves.
Stay focused in order to be present when your customers &
team members most need you.
And should you feel your energy lapsing, try this sure-fire
remedy:
Find someone who needs a helping hand, a word of support, or
a good ear – and make their day.
14.
15. The four Fish! Principles are: Play, Make Their Day, Be There & Choose
Your Attitude.
Keep work fun, lighthearted and spontaneous.
Provide others with a random act of kindness or a memorable experience.
Whenever you are communicating or working with someone, be fully
present.
Choose a positive attitude to increase your opportunities for success.
The Fish! Philosophy developed out of observing the fish-mongers at the
Pike Place Market in Seattle.
The Pike Place fishmongers found ways to make work fun for themselves
and for their customers, which led to more sales.
When you put your customers first, people feel good about you and doing
business with you.
Don’t multi-task when you are working with people. Focus on them.
To launch the Fish! philosophy in your company, rate how well you are
doing on each of the four principles. Then set some goals to improve your
ratings.
Take away
16. Our Learning , Next steps & Change
I will make sure everyone feels special – because they are
I will find a strength in each one
I will treat every one like they are my favorite
I will compliment others. It’s nice to see a smile on someone’s face
when they’ve just received a compliment
I will begin each day with a positive attitude
I know that my attitude impacts the people around me each &
every day. I need to be positive
I will work with people to be a good teammate
I will work on continuous communication with all
I will try to help someone, at least a little, every day
I will be a good listener
I will be sure to keep a sense of humor & will keep laughing
17. “Doing what you like is freedom
Liking what you do is happiness”. !