Michael Gelb, an endorser of Goal-Free Living, has a wonderful perspective on organizational effectiveness.
In many of the organizations I work with, people tell me that they’re afraid to be playful for fear of being dismissed as not serious. They point out that a tense and miserable demeanor gives others the impression that hard work is being done. Instead work smart. Over-seriousness is a warning sign for mediocrity and bureaucratic thinking people who are seriously committed to mastering high performance are secure enough to lighten up – create an environment where it is safe to be serious about the importance of play.
From A Creative Genius by Michael Gelb