For most, the word “fun” can seem a little out of place when talking about work. Images of awkward company parties or team-building games might be the extent of what comes to mind. At best, perhaps it’s a coworker turned friend — which has little to do with the company culture and more to do with human connection.
When authors Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo were writing the book “Work Made Fun Gets Done” they were surprised to find out that fun is one of the key ingredients in a good workplace.
The two started by looking through the information that is published alongside Fortune’s “Best Places to Work For” list. They found that responses are measured by “trust, respect, credibility, fairness, pride and camaraderie,” but when they dug into the data of what set apart the companies ranked as “great,” they found an overwhelming consistency. Roughly 81 percent of the employees who worked at companies in the “great” category described their work environment as fun.
It’s not surprising to know that ServiceNow was ranked on that list as one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Technology 2023 and certified as a Great Place to Work in 11 countries.
Fun is an overwhelmingly important part of a good workplace — and definitely means more than games at a company picnic.
Built In NYC spoke with Derrick Nguyen, an advisory solution consultant at ServiceNow, to learn more about what fun looks like at the workflow management company.
Describe ServiceNow’s company culture in one word. What made you pick that word?
Fun! Although it’s a simple adjective, I cannot think of a more appropriate word for ServiceNow’s company culture. From the moment I had my first interaction with a ServiceNow employee, I remember believing that I could be my authentic self here.
From my first interaction with a ServiceNow employee, I knew I could be my authentic self here.”
My team always has fun together, even when facing adversity. An example of this occurred last year when my colleagues and I were navigating a complex challenge. We spent many sessions in the office thinking through the different angles that would not only help our customers see value but also align their issues to our industry-leading products. We were able to pull in significant company resources to cast a wider net of knowledge that secured technical alignment. This resulted in delighted customers who were quickly realizing value after using our products. In complex situations like these, the sort of fun we have during our collaboration process adds a special sort of gratification.
How long have you been with ServiceNow, and what professional growth or development have you seen in that time?
I have been with ServiceNow for a little over three years. In my time here, I have faced noteworthy challenges and profound growth. In my first year, imposter syndrome heavily set in, but I was able to lean on my teammates and colleagues for support. Three years later, I have a firm grasp on how to realize success in my role.
I have seen a growth in my willingness to take control of situations and lean in with the expertise I’ve cultivated. The structure, tools and support provided by my manager and ServiceNow have played a big part in my journey.
My growth in these past three years has been exponential compared to my previous twenty years in the technology and sales industries. I now stand before customers as a confident representative of ServiceNow, ready to make a lasting impact.
