How Play Can Transform Your Company into a Thriving Workplace

As CEO, the pressure to innovate, grow, and succeed can sometimes overshadow the importance of building a healthy, vibrant team culture. But what if one of the keys to your company's success lies not in working harder but in playing more? This idea is more than a passing thought—it is a powerful strategy Una Japundza and I discussed with Jordan Hirsch and Sarah Filman.

The Power of Play

In our conversation, Jordan and Sarah explore the concept of play in the workplace, drawing on their extensive experience as leadership coaches. We discuss how incorporating play can transform team dynamics, enhance creativity, and drive improved business outcomes.

Here are some key takeaways from our discussion:

1. Improv in Teams: The "Yes, and..." technique in improv is about agreeing with and building on others' ideas. This approach promotes a positive, collaborative atmosphere where team members feel their contributions are valued. It helps break down communication barriers and encourages creativity, leading to more dynamic and innovative teamwork.
2. Confidence Building: Improv's inherent unpredictability requires participants to think on their feet and embrace mistakes. This builds resilience and confidence as team members learn to trust their instincts and support each other without fear of judgment. The experience of being accepted, even when making mistakes, helps individuals grow more confident in expressing their ideas.
3. Playful Leadership: Leaders who incorporate play and humor into their management style can create a more relaxed and engaging work environment. This approach reduces stress, fosters solid interpersonal connections, and makes the workplace more enjoyable. Playful leadership encourages openness and creativity, making it easier for teams to navigate challenges.

Practical Tips for Introducing Play into Your Startup

Inspired by the insights from our discussion, here are some practical ways you can integrate play into your culture:

1. Host Regular Creative Breaks: Encourage your team to take time to engage in creative, playful activities. This could be anything from a quick brainstorming session to a fun design challenge unrelated to their tasks.
2. Celebrate Every Win: Take a moment to celebrate even the small victories with a playful twist—whether it's a taco party, a virtual game session, or a simple shoutout on your team's chat.
3. Gamify Your Processes: Turn routine tasks into games. Create challenges or competitions that make work more engaging. For example, you could set up a leaderboard for completing specific tasks or offer playful rewards for hitting milestones.
4. Lead by Example: For leaders, your attitude towards play sets the tone for your culture. Participate in playful activities yourself, showing your team that it's okay to have fun and that play is an integral part of your work.

Making Play Part of Your Culture

At HeyTaco, we've built our platform around the idea that work should be fun and rewarding. By gamifying appreciation, HeyTaco makes incorporating play into your startup's daily routine effortless. Your team can send each other tacos as tokens of recognition, turning appreciation into a social, playful activity that strengthens relationships and boosts morale.

Introducing play into your company might seem counterintuitive when there's so much at stake, but it's a strategy that can yield surprising benefits. By making room for play, you're enhancing your team's creativity and cohesion and laying the groundwork for long-term success.

If interested, you can listen to our full discussion with Jordan Hirsch and Sarah Filman on the Amazing Teams Podcast.

Thanks for reading! 🌮
If you found this article valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues.