Remember when you were a kid, and the world was your playground? Every cardboard box was a spaceship, every stick a magic wand. Fast forward to today, and suddenly we're all grown up, sitting in meetings, making spreadsheets, and ... dude, this sucks. Where did all the fun go?
I get it. You're thinking, "Play? At work? We don't have time for that!" Well, you're not alone. Lots of Very Serious People™ think that. But here's a plot twist for you: some of the most successful companies in the world are bringing playtime to the office. And no, I’m not talking about mandatory trust falls or a series of cringey icebreakers. So buckle up, because I’m about to break down why serious business needs serious play, and how you can inject a dose of fun into your workplace without sacrificing productivity. Spoiler alert: it’s the secret mojo your company needs to level up.
The Power of Play at Work
Before you dismiss this as some nonsense, because you think you are a Very Serious Person™, let's look at what the data have to say. Research shows that play at work isn't just about having a good time (though, admittedly, that's a pretty sweet perk). It's about unlocking your team's full potential. A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who take time for play are more creative, more productive, and - surprise, surprise - happier at work.
But wait, there's more! (I don’t get to say that enough. It’s such a fun thing to say.)
Here's what play can do for your workplace:
Boost innovation and creative thinking: Play helps us think about coloring outside the lines. When we're having fun, our brains are more relaxed and open to new ideas. Think of it as WD-40 for your creative mind.
Enhance team bonding and collaboration: Nothing brings people together like shared experiences. Play creates opportunities for your team to connect on a human level - because SILOS ARE BAD. Say it with me again. SILOS ARE BAD.
Improve problem solving skills: Games and other play activities are best when they involve strategy and quick thinking. You can then harness these skills directly to tackle real-world business challenges.
Increase employee engagement: It’s common sense: engaged employees are productive employees. The opposite is also true. When work feels less like … well … work, people are more likely to do more, care more, and try harder.,
Types of Play That Work at Work
Nobody’s saying you have to turn your office into a kindergarten (although “Heads Up Seven Up” is super fun, graham crackers are delicious, and who doesn’t want a nap?). You can bring play to work and still keep your rep as a Very Serious Person™.
Gamification of Tasks and Processes: This is one of my favorite ways to play at work. Turn boring day-to-day tasks into engaging challenges. For example, create a leaderboard for sales calls or a points system for completing projects on time. You have to keep a close eye on this one; know who you’ve got in the office. This could potentially create unhealthy competition - the goal is fun, not blood feuds, people. Oh, and it always helps to give a prize.
Creative Brainstorming Sessions: Move your think tank past the boring boardroom brainstorms. For example, try "worst idea" sessions where teams compete to come up with the most ridiculous solutions. Sometimes, there are little bits of brilliance buried in those bad ideas. It takes the pressure off and gets the creative engine running when everyone knows it’s a session where it’s best to be worst.
Office Design and Spaces: Throw a few boxes of Legos in the break room. Set up a puzzle corner. Go all out and bring in a ping pong table or spring for a couple of Donkey Kong and Pac Man machines. Actively encourage moments of play throughout the day. Look, let’s be real: your people are going to check out several times a day anyway. They can do that playing Candy Crush while hiding in the bathroom, or they can play together out in the open and get the benefit of bonding and shared fun. Up to you.
Implementing Play: Tips for Leaders
Ready to take a break from being a Very Serious Person™? Then here’s a few steps to get you started:
Start Small: A work culture that knows how to play isn’t going to generate itself overnight. Start with small, optional play activities and gradually increase as your team gets more comfortable.
Lead by Example: Can’t stress this enough - if you don’t play, they won’t play. If you want your team to embrace work play, you need to walk the talk. Show your team that it's okay to loosen it up sometimes.
Create Safe Play Spaces: Make it clear that play time is a judgment-free zone. No one will have fun if they think their coworkers are going to talk smack about them for having fun. Encourage wild ideas and silly solutions - you never know where they might lead. Also, be sure that your play activities are inclusive. Not everyone will be comfortable with every kind of play, so offer a variety of options and make participation optional but encouraged.
Align Play with Company Values: Make sure that your play activities reflect and reinforce your company's mission and values. This will help integrate play seamlessly into your work culture instead of making it feel like a weird chore.
A Successful Play Story
"But we're too busy to play!"
Barf.
If you're hearing this (or thinking it yourself), remember: play isn't a distraction from work, it's a tool to make work more effective. Start by finding small pockets of time for play and watch as it actually increases productivity.
Ask Google. Google has consistently ranked as one of the best places to work and one of the most innovative companies in the world. Their offices feature game rooms, creative spaces, and even slides. The result? A workplace that's engaged, creative, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
George Bernard Shaw wrote, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." The same could be said for our workplaces. If you want more innovation, stop being a Very Serious Person™ and invest work time into play.
So here's your challenge: this week, introduce one element of play into your workplace. A quick game at the start of a meeting. A creative problem-solving session. Legos in the break room. I don’t care what it is, but roll it out and see what happens. You might be surprised.
Peace,
Chris
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