Valuing Playfulness at Work

08/26/2022

Play is foundational for bonding relationships and fostering tolerance. It’s where we learn to trust and where we learn about the rules of the game. Play increases creativity and resilience, and it’s all about the generation of diversity—diversity of interactions, diversity of behaviors, diversity of connections.
Isabel Behncke, Field ethologist and primatologist

“When we spend even a little bit of time encouraging play at work, we are happier and more relaxed, focused, creative and fully engaged. We more readily share our passion and expertise, communicate effectively, and learn and innovate together,” writes Educator Glory Ressler.

Ressler’s words appear in the article at the heart of the Out of the Box Training “Playfulness at Work.” She points out, “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?”

How do you encourage playfulness at work in yourself and others? Let’s inspire one another by sharing your ideas in the comments!

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