Some leaders just don't know how to have fun.

Many years ago, my wife adopted a 5-year-old Dalmatian who was a retired show dog. We called her Lori—a version of her formal name. Lori won many show contests and won at Westminster Abbey.

During her show days, Lori spent most of her time in a cage. She slept, ate and traveled in her cage. She often stayed in her cage when the door was left open. When we brought her home our first goal was to take away her cage. But she wasn't happy outside her home. Our kids wanted to play with her. She didn't know what to do.

But in time, we taught her to play and live life outside her cage. She did well. She was the star of high school band parades and loved the front seat of our truck. She thought it was a fire engine. She lived to be almost 18 years old. We were told she was at one time, the longest living Dalmatian.

We think she lived long because she loved to have fun.

Our office has been enjoying a summer of fun. On Friday afternoons, we find a couple hours to do something out of the ordinary. We've had a Country & Western Day where we dressed up in our cowboy and cowgirl duds, saw how many badges we could throw into a far-away cowboy hat and had a spitting contest. We painted with watercolors while blindfolded and played games like "minute-to-win-it." We had Popsicles delivered to our offices last week, and I believe our productivity was enhanced.

People want to be happy and appreciate a relief from the sometimes heaviness of an office. All that is needed is an intentional leader to focus on the broader needs of a team.

Perhaps we can all find ways to work at playing more. The rewards of fun in an organization will include greater loyalty, improved team interactions, more laughter and a certain boost to creativity.

A cage isn't fun at all.

"For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

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