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In a 2020 Brigham Young University study, teams that played a collaborative (video) game together for just 45 minutes increased their productivity on a task by 20%. According to a report on the study in Forbes, “Actually, the reasons play helps teams and their results—and the reasons play is also good for your career growth—are well-founded. Company cultures that allow for play are better able to tap into the best in their employees, and employees themselves can bring more effectiveness into their work.”

In the Out of the Box Training on “Playfulness at Work,” author Glory Ressler reflects on both children and adults at play: We understand that children learn how to interact and engage with others through play and thereby come to know more about themselves and the world. Play also provides an opportunity to release energy, build confidence and self-esteem, unleash creativity and self-regulate. It is a means of expression, enjoyment and, often, indoor and outdoor physical activity.

However, if children need these skills to prepare for an unknown future and can obtain them, in part, through play, then I believe that now more than ever, educators and caregivers from across the world also need the same skills and opportunity. How are we coping with the stress of unknown futures? Are we not all being called in one way or another to learn and develop our social intelligence, creativity, cross-cultural competence and resiliency?

… My experience has taught me that when we spend even a little bit of time encouraging play at work, we reap the benefits personally and in our programs and services. We are happier and more relaxed, focused, creative and fully engaged at work.

What will you do to bring play to work this week?

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