Playfulness at work brings with it numerous benefits.
PLAYING leads to relaxing, having fun, being joyful and playful, and feeling energized.
Play can be engaging in different games, but also inart, reading a book, playing a sport. Play is watching a movie, listening to music, daydreaming.
There are companies in which gaming has become part of the life of the company.
Researcher Marian Diamond describes how working in a playful environment changes the cerebral cortex-the area of the brain where the most important cognitive processes take place.
“There are MEASURABLE benefits to improving an environment and making it pleasant, playful.”
Scientific research and the experiences of companies that have introduced free time for in-company play have shown the benefits and positive effects of this practice.
7 benefits of play in business
1) You attract good people and decrease the turnover rate
Good people like to work in stimulating environments; a playful atmosphere and knowing that this is the mindset in the company attracts young people who will make a difference in the company. It is easier to keep good people in the company, who willingly stay in a pleasant environment.
2) Increases productivity
There is scientific evidence that if you allow employees to engage in something they enjoy and that is playful, there are better productivity outcomes (and thus economic benefits to the company). When they return to work, people are more engaged, focused and concentrated.
3) Increases motivation
Allowing play in the workplace is a WIN-WIN approach. In an environment where you have the freedom to take a moment for yourself without feeling guilty you feel trust in yourself. You feel that your boss, your employer trust you, how you manage your work and your time, you feel valued. This increases satisfaction and motivation.
4) Increases creativity
“It’s not with constant attention that ideas come,” Simon Sinek says in an interview. You see something and “I could do that.” That’s innovation.
“Ideas come when our minds digress.” (Simon Sinek)
Experts and experiences confirm that playing at work can increase creativity in people of all ages.
Some of the best ideas come to you when you relax under a palm tree (Richard Branson)
In IDEO, the best ideas come from the interactions created during collaborative, constructive, exploratory play, storytelling, and even physical movement.
5) Increases predisposition to social relationships and collaboration.
No matter what the business is, when a playful atmosphere is created in companies, communication improves. It is possible to get to know each other better and build high-quality professional and personal networks.
It is possible to get in touch with realities of other areas and divisions that one does not know, it is possible to go beyond hierarchies and foster subsequent professional communications.
6) Decreases stress level.
Many professions are challenging. The constant change of conditions that is typical of our time creates competition, insecurity and thus stress. Time is tight, deadlines must be met, and the employee is often under considerable pressure. When employees take time to take part in enjoyable activities and thus “play” at work, the stress level decreases. This then leads to getting sick less, having a positive attitude and more energy in the work environment. Getting sick less decreases health expenses, both in the family and socially.
7) Decreased absenteeism rate and turnover.
It is not just about increasing positivity and decreasing stress. Having stronger social connections at work through play can strengthen the immune system and decrease inflammation levels. They decrease the risks of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Not only do I get sick less and take fewer absences, but I don’t need to stay home to recover and de-stress if I can do that at work as well. This does not mean that I will stay at work longer, but that I will not take unnecessary absences due to the fact that I cannot re-energize myself while I am at work.
What would happen if organizations started with the idea that work benefits a lot from play (and a playful attitude)?
If there are so many benefits, why doesn’t it happen in all workplaces?
Because there are still, as Stuart Brown, researcher on play and author of the book “Play: HowIt Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul” points out, many situations, many beliefs that limit the inclusion of play in professional environments.
However, there are also interesting examples on which to build, experiences of companies that have introduced free time for play in the company: “Play at work is an ingredient of success: 6 examples plus one.”
Have you discovered, in your experience, additional benefits of play at work and feel like telling me about it? Contact me, I will be happy to hear from you!
Want some suggestions and ideas for bringing more play into your life and business?
Contact me, we can work on it together.
