Presence: Fish! Time to revisit a culture classic?
May 16, 2024
auto_awesome
Explore the impact of 'Fish' principles on workplace culture, emphasizing passion, purpose, and presence. Learn about creating memorable customer experiences and cultivating excellence through organizational culture. Discover the power of teaching presence in school and work environments.
The Fish Philosophy emphasizes choosing your attitude, being present, playing, and making others' day.
Creating a culture of excellence through presence, warmth, and creativity leads to improved workplace dynamics.
Deep dives
Discovering the Fish Philosophy and Its Origin
The Fish Philosophy, originating from the vibrant atmosphere of Seattle's fish market, revolves around four core principles: choose your attitude, be there, play, and make their day. The philosophy emphasizes the importance of actively deciding one's attitude each day and engaging fully in the present moment. This approach is highlighted through anecdotes of customer interactions and the transformative impact on workplace dynamics.
Implementing the Principles in Workplace Culture
The adoption of the Fish Philosophy in various industries like healthcare and education underscores the power of creating a culture of excellence through principles such as being present and playful. The philosophy encourages individuals to engage with warmth, emotion, and creativity in their interactions, ultimately fostering a positive work environment. Success stories demonstrate tangible improvements in organizational performance and employee satisfaction.
The Impact and Relevance of Fish Philosophy Today
Even after two decades, the relevance of the Fish Philosophy in shaping connected and thriving cultures remains evident. The focus on presence, genuine connections, and creating meaningful moments for others resonates as critical components of successful workplaces. The philosophy prompts reflection on how individuals show up, interact, and contribute to a collaborative and fulfilling work environment.
In the 2000s a book called Fish! A remarkable way to boost morale and improve results became a bestseller. A small book, it was often used by companies accompanying a video of the same name. Together the two told a story of the culture of the fish market in Seattle, a noisy, bombastic place, but a place that was filled with joy. I first encountered Fish when a firm came to pitch to me when I was working in publishing. They told me that their culture was Fish.
There are a few things that stood out from it. The idea of intentionally designing culture isn’t new but this seemed to be explicitly linking culture, emotion and mood.