Can You Figure Out How to Make Work Fun?

February 20, 2026

Can You Figure Out How to Make Work Fun?

2:15

Let me ask you a serious question: Can you figure out how to make work fun?

Not soft, not sloppy, and not undisciplined.

Fun.

Because fun creates energy, energy creates engagement, and engagement creates performance.

And performance wins.

John Rinaldi Changed Practice

John Rinaldi, the longtime football coach at St. Joseph’s University in Wisconsin, figured something out.

Traditional football practice was a nightmare.

Standing around, running drills, waiting your turn, and repetition without energy.

So he scratched it.

No more endless traditional drills and no more wasting time.

They just played football.

The result?

After 60 years: 465 wins and 27 conference championships.

And most importantly, the players loved it.

They loved coming to practice. Think about that.

You Don’t Have to Do It the Conventional Way

We just watched Indiana go 16–0 and win a national championship.

Their practice philosophy?

Monday – Walk through
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 1 hour 35 minute practice
Friday – Short walk through

That’s it.

Why?

Because the coach wanted his boys fresh and healthy. He doesn’t grind them into the ground.

He protects their legs, their minds, and their love of the game.

And they win.

What About Your Office?

Here’s the leadership question: Are you grinding your team down with “traditional practice”?

Too many meetings, too much standing around, and too much structure with no energy.

Or have you thought about how to make the experience better?

Fun doesn’t mean lowering standards. It means designing the environment so people:

Enjoy showing up
Want to interact
Bring energy to the room

When people love coming to work, everything improves.

The vibe changes, the collaboration improves, and performance goes up.

Leaders Set the Tone

You don’t have to do things the conventional way. Just because “that’s how it’s always been done” doesn’t mean it’s right.

The best leaders step back and ask: Is this the best way, or is this just the old way?

If you can figure out how to make work fun, without sacrificing standards, you unlock something powerful.

And when your team loves the experience, they become harder to beat.

That’s leadership.

Written By: Gui Costin, Founder, CEO

Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota.

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Can You Figure Out How to Make Work Fun?