Does Playful Working Lead to More Creativity?
Stupid Studio
Are you in need of branding, storytelling, or playful facilitation? Don't be a stranger. Oh, and we're also a B Corp.
In Stupid Studio we have a playful approach to problem-solving, and we believe in the power that play has to transform thinking and bring about change. Together with our clients and partners, we are trying to discover how it 'pays to play' - for us as adults and for business.
Tapping into Our Innate Nature
Play isn't just for children. As adults, the innate desire to be playful doesn't just disappear; it simply evolves. How many times have you found yourself doodling during a meeting or turning a mundane task into a small competition? That's the essence of playful working – taking the core aspects of play and integrating them into our professional lives. But can this playful approach actually lead to more creativity in the workplace?
Humans are wired to play. It's a natural behaviour that spans across cultures and ages. Play is intrinsically rewarding, providing enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction. This isn't just a sentiment; it's backed by science. Dopamine, often called the 'feel-good neurotransmitter,' is released during playful activities, energizing us and fostering a positive outlook.
Crafting Playful Work Design
More progressive workplaces, recognizing the link between play and positivity, are now actively integrating elements of fun and competition into everyday tasks. This isn't about turning the office into a playground but subtly weaving in playful elements to make tasks more engaging and enjoyable.
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Initial studies on this concept of 'playful work design' reveal that it's not just a fanciful idea. Employees who engage in playful work tend to report higher levels of well-being, team connectivity, and new ways of thinking. They feel more satisfied, less stressed, and yes, more creative.
While a playful work design seems universally beneficial, it resonates profoundly with individuals with open and playful personalities. These individuals tend to be more receptive to the concept, deriving greater joy and creativity from such an environment.
Every job, no matter how exciting, has its moments of monotony. Repetitive tasks, data entry, long meetings - we all face them. However, introducing playful elements can make these draining tasks more bearable, even enjoyable. Imagine turning data entry into a game or having quick, playful brainstorming sessions during lengthy meetings.
Playful work design is not about detracting from our professions' seriousness or compromising productivity. On the contrary, it offers a fresh perspective, making work more intrinsically motivating and, most importantly, fostering creativity. As organizations continue to explore the power of play, it's time to ask ourselves - are we ready to embrace our innate playfulness and unleash the creative potential it holds?
Hit follow if you want to explore playful working with us. Also, we would love to know if you have any experience using play in your organization? Does it pay to play? Let's explore! Thank you for reading, and let's keep playing.
Bezig met tweedehands kleding een nieuw leven geven in de kast van generatie Z 🛍
1yMickey Linskens, relevant in relation to your graduation thesis!
Visual communication // Designer and owner @ Hey Lulu
1yYes please! I clearly remember being part of an playful experiment facilitated by Dorthe Nielsen at DMJX. The teams that was assigned to played around with crazy dance moves and head-shoulders-knees-toes-excercises produced up to 50% more brainstorm ideas afterwards than the teams who just sat stationary.
Experience Designer | Strategic Event Design | Customer Care | Member of the World Experience Organisation
1yYes, yes, yes! 🙌 I have often felt that much of our daily work is devoid of joy, as if play was not serious and should never be mixed with work. And I disagree with that so much. I ran workshops with a few teams in which teammates discovered their own play personalities, based on the research by Dr. Stuart Brown. He has a very inspiring quote, which I love: "The opposite of play is not work. It is depression". As adults, we tend to form preferences over some types of play over others. For example, a person might not find competition as exciting as another would. When we play, we are focused, we learn, we collaborate, we bond, we feel energised - in short, we shine! So, for me too, the question is how can work feel more like play? In other words, how can you use your play personality at work and choose tasks and projects that feel like play to you? Very inspiring post, Stupid Studio!
Creative direction & Digital design across brand, web and products
1yTotally agree, even more when you provide a space to encourage play or explorative thinking in an intuitive and natural way, by creating safe and inspiring cultures and environments. Rather then again confining room for play in a “10 min brainstorm” once every month. The latter can put pressure on results, where in my experience best ideas and creative flow is best achieved when detached from metrics, time or post-it’s and preferably outside of meeting rooms.