What is the FISH!™ Philosophy and where did it come from?
The FISH! Philosophy is inspired by the fishmongers of Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market. Despite a very difficult work environment, they have found ways to bring remarkable energy, commitment and creativity to their work.
The CEO of ChartHouse Learning, John Christensen, encountered the market accidentally one day and instantly noticed that something unusual was going on. A bunch of fishmongers – not MBA professors or leadership gurus – were showing him how to bring more fun, passion, focus, and commitment to work. He discovered that this was a perfect example of a wholehearted workplace.
ChartHouse Learning soon brought its cameras to Pike Place Fish. After watching hours of footage, they saw that the fishmongers created their engaging environment through a few fundamentals – simple but powerful choices that we all can make. ChartHouse translated these actions into a common language called The FISH! Philosophy. The FISH! Philosophy is a set of four connected principles that are the foundation for a healthy workplace and life:
Play
Work made fun gets done, especially when we choose to do serious tasks in a lighthearted, spontaneous way. Play is not just an activity; it’s a state of mind that brings new energy to tasks and sparks creative solutions.
Make Their Day
When you "make someone’s day" (or moment) through a small act of kindness or unforgettable engagement, you can turn even routine encounters into special memories.
Be There
The glue in our humanity is in being fully present for one another. Being there is also a great way to practise wholeheartedness and fight burnout, because it’s the halfhearted tasks you perform while juggling other things that wear you out.
Choose Your Attitude
When you look for the worst you will find it everywhere. When you learn you have the power to choose your response to what life brings, you can look for the best and find opportunities you never imagined possible.
Why is FISH! so popular?
FISH! is an international movement because it speaks to a growing hunger that people are feeling today. People are increasingly seeking meaning in their lives and want to be authentic at work.
As The FISH! Philosophy spread into organizations around the world, people began to reinvent what their time at work could be about, and the passion, energy and accountability they discovered led to surprising business improvements. It’s proven to have universal application in virtually all industries because it provides people with quantifiable tools to change and lead meaningful lives.
For more information, see this FISH! speaking formats page or contact me to find out more.
