ARE WE PLAYING ENOUGH AT WORK?
Revisiting Play for Better Engagement, Connection, and Results in a Professional Setting
When we think of play, it often evokes memories of childhood filled with games, laughter, and carefree moments. However, relegating play to the realm of children does a disservice to its potential transformative power in the adult world, especially within a professional setting.
Who hasn't felt invigorated after a spontaneous office game or a lighthearted moment with colleagues? Such playful interactions can provide a refreshing break and redefine our connections with teammates.
It's more than just fun. Play releases endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals, acting as a natural stress-reliever. As highlighted by Mayoclinic.org, activities like laughter can offer myriad benefits, ranging from short-term relief from tension to long-term mood improvement.
Stuart Brown M.D., in his insightful book "Play", lists seven distinct characteristics of play, emphasizing its voluntary nature, the freedom it provides from the constraints of time, and its inherent attraction, among other attributes.
But how can we harness the power of play in the workplace?
Reviving Traditional Play: Simple, spontaneous activities like indoor games can reignite that playful spirit. Companies with play zones or ping pong tables are on the right track, but even board games can serve the purpose in their absence.
Integrating Play into Work Activities: Incorporate improvisation exercises to kickstart meetings or as warm-ups for group sessions. These can range from fun active listening games to PowerPoint Karaoke for honing public speaking skills.
Marrying Play with Problem Solving: The Lego® Serious Play® method is an innovative approach where LEGO bricks become tools for addressing workplace challenges. It blends the joy of play with tangible problem-solving.
Imagine the benefits if we seamlessly integrated more play into our work routines. Not only would it foster a more vibrant, connected workplace culture, but it would also lead to tangible increases in productivity, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.
So, isn't it time we championed play as a key element in our work strategy? Embrace the playful spirit, and who knows, maybe the dream of recess at work might just become a reality!
Ready to embrace the power of play in your workplace? Contact us today to discover tailored strategies and exercises that can transform your team's dynamics and results!
