A Fun Activity Isn’t the Same as Building Morale
I was reviewing some recent workplace stats, and they’re striking:
21% higher profitability: Companies with highly engaged teams outperform peers in profitability
41% less absenteeism: Engaged employees are significantly less likely to miss work
87% lower turnover: Highly engaged employees are much less likely to leave
$438 billion lost annually: Disengaged employees cost the global economy hundreds of billions in lost productivity
Morale is clearly critical to a company’s success—but how to build it and sustain it is often misunderstood.
As a business that delivers engaging, interactive trainings for a living, we see it all the time: people confuse “fun” with “morale.” A two-hour fun event might generate laughter and temporary energy—but it rarely addresses the deeper, structural factors that create long-term engagement and commitment.
Morale isn’t just about having a good time—it’s about sustaining the mission. It’s about creating a culture where employees feel seen, valued, and empowered every day.
Building real morale takes intentional effort:
Invest in leadership development: Equip managers to foster trust, communication, and engagement consistently.
Cultivate recognition: Ensure employees feel seen and appreciated on a regular basis.
Prioritize communication: Make honest, open dialogue a daily practice—not just a special event.
Commit to continuous improvement: Regularly assess and evolve your approach to engagement.
Promote a growth mindset: Celebrate progress, strengths, and solutions over blame or hyper-vigilance.
Nearly half of employees (47%) cite poor company culture—not the lack of fun activities—as the main reason they leave.
That’s why we believe in what we call “kale in the brownie.” Fun is essential—but it’s most effective when paired with meaningful experiential learning. When people are in a lighthearted, positive space, lessons stick. Energy is up. Creativity flows. Morale lasts.
For us, improv is never just a gimmick. It’s a strategic tool that:
Builds psychological safety, so employees feel confident speaking up, listening, and collaborating.
Teaches adaptability, helping teams respond to change with curiosity rather than fear.
Strengthens leadership skills, giving managers the tools to sustain engagement over time.
Embeds a “yes, and” mindset that encourages continuous learning and growth.
With corporate improv workshops, companies can move beyond short-lived energy boosts and invest in transformational engagement—leading to higher performance, better retention, and a workforce that’s energized, resilient, and truly connected.
