Beyond AI: Putting the 'fun' in FUNctional Teams

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At the heart of the Barcelona event, all we hear is the chatter about the great evolution and impact of AI. Even while drafting my article, I already see a shiny new Intelligence button on my Confluence page saying Write.

I never dare to underestimate the power of innovation, but I am a firm believer that you need a solid human foundation first.

Far too often, organizations, teams, or individual contributors jump straight into AI implementation without focusing on the foundational aspects of teamwork and communication. In this post, which was also my rejected Atlassian Speaker submission, I would like to give perspective on why (again) the balance between human and tech is your teams' most important goal.

Solid Human Foundation First

Human relationships, collaboration, and an adaptable process create the best foundation for productivity and evolution within and outside a company. For centuries, the most successful ventures combined the unique skills of different personalities, and by establishing a relationship based on trust and commitment, they moved the world forward.

AI: The Supporting Act, Not the Star

AI is not a team member, and it’s far from being one.

Rather than being seen as a one-size-fits-all solution and your next bestie teammate, AI should be treated as a strategic tool that enhances existing processes. From automating repetitive tasks to providing real-time insights, AI is at its best when it amplifies the team's efforts and frees up time for more meaningful work.

What “Fun” in Work Means

One of my company’s core values is being fun and authentic while doing your best work. But what does ‘being fun’ mean for a business, and are we delusional about prioritizing it? Thanks to the research AI did for me in about 5 seconds, I am now aware that, on average, a person spends about 90,000 hours working over their lifetime. This estimate is based on working full-time (40 hours a week) for around 45 years.

When teams have the freedom to think creatively and work efficiently, they thrive. Sustainable efficiency is achieved by combining the right internal processes with the right amount of automation and applications to allow your team to focus on these thriving areas. A strong team with effective processes maximizes the potential of AI, ensuring that tools serve the people rather than becoming an obstacle to creativity and collaboration.

For most people, an enjoyable work environment means work that allows them to spend time with their families, work on hobby projects, or sleep more — simple joys in life that people call ‘fun.’

In conclusion, I will leave you with a paragraph written by ChatGPT during our little Chat (punZ) about its perspective on AI and human collaboration in the workplace.

The Right Balance: AI as a Partner

Think of AI as your team’s assistant, not its leader. It’s there to handle the tasks that slow your team down, not to disrupt your core dynamics. When implemented correctly, AI becomes an asset that frees up time, reduces errors, and helps everyone focus on what they do best—working together creatively and efficiently.

In conclusion, the key to productivity is simple: prioritize your team and the processes they rely on. Only then can AI truly become the powerful tool it’s meant to be, helping your team reach its full potential without disrupting the harmony that drives success.

Created by Adobe Firefly when prompted to generate an image representing the progress created by the collaborative efforts of nature and AI.

[John Funk]

Dang, 90,000 hours - just think what you could do with that. But the average teenager has probably already recorded that number of hours on their phone. I am all for technology that is helpful and not distracting though. Thanks for the article!!

[Andy Gladstone]

@Teodora V _Fun Inc_ I love this heading "Solid Human Foundation First".

I have found so many companies that are heralding the call of AI without placing the human in front of the outputs. I've read too many AI generated articles that have contained inaccurate information and poor grammar to count. I've seen too many colleagues throw something into an AI prompt and blindly trust the results. 

With AI, I feel the approach has to be based on the concept that President Ronald Reagan coined during the Cold War "trust and verify". Yes, we trust that the LLM's that are being used to feed the AI tool are have integrity, but we must still verify the information they provide us.

For me, AI is not an ingredient that can be baked in to the bread without careful measuring and monitoring. It's the yeast that may be a starter, but not the flour, eggs and chocolate chips that make up the Confluence Cookies!

[Teodora V _Fun Inc_]

@Andy Gladstone @John Funk thank you both for joining the conversation (and the Confluence Cookies shout-out!)

It will be wild when we end up in a circle where false results are based on false information. I am happy I never lost my passion for reading books. 🤭

[Sara Beyer]

This is so important! It's all about balance - great read! :)

[Tehmina Aslam]

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful perspective! I completely agree—AI is a powerful tool, but its true value lies in amplifying human effort, not replacing it. Building trust, adaptability, and collaboration within teams is essential for any technology, including AI, to succeed.

I also loved your take on “fun” at work—focusing on creativity, balance, and meaningful work is key to thriving teams. When AI supports these values, it becomes an asset, freeing time for what truly matters.

A great reminder to keep humanity at the heart of progress—thank you!