Talk to enough improv comedy nerds and it will become pretty clear what gets them up on stage night after night. Hint: It’s not the pay. Many comedians say it’s about being part of a community. To drive staff engagement, Harvard University Dining Services in Cambridge, Mass., has taken a cue from these funny folks and other nontraditional groups. “We don’t want hourly employees to roll over and say, ‘I don’t want to come to work today,’” says David Davidson, the department’s managing director.
Read on to find out how Davidson and Crista Martin, Harvard Dining Services’ director for strategic initiatives and communications, are encouraging staff creativity and teamwork.