Why Play Gets You Further in Your Job Than Not
- Victoria Hogg
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 4
Let’s get one thing straight: play at work isn’t mucking about with a Nerf gun and calling it culture. Play should not be distraction. Or dithering. It’s a mindset. Think of it like freestyling with focus. And let’s not confuse being professional with being permanently serious.
Because here’s the truth: some of the most complex, high-stakes problems are best solved through play.
‘erm… explain please…
Well, play can be described in many forms. Humour, it disarms tension, spontaneity unlocks innovation... and agility, the kind you learn through applied improvisation, helps teams stay nimble when the plan goes sideways (which it often does).
Play doesn’t mean you’re not taking things seriously either. It means you’re serious about showing up with creativity, humanity, and readiness to respond. And that’s the kind of energy that actually gets things done.
TRY IT OUT: Next time you ask for a new perspective from a colleague, ask for a second quickfire perspective, and a third, and a fourth. The faster they come the more varied and vivid they will be. Don’t overthink it. Let the perspectives flow.
Something genius…
Genius or maverick… It’s a Finn line between the two. We’re talking Finn Russell, the popular choice to guide the British & Irish Lions rugby to victory this summer.
Over his career he’s often seen, and criticised, for smiling too much when playing serious high stakes games for club and country. His vision and skillset to ‘play’ in the moment is clearly world-class. He makes the game look simple and always seems to have more time and options than his peers. And his risky plays? More often than not, they silence the critics. And he does that with a smile. Fair play!
“If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play” John Cleese, Monty Python cofounder, management coach
Something written… lots of times
I (Paul) saw this tip the other day, from an award winning actor I hang out with occasionally. When writing her solo shows, she writes three endings, three beginnings and three middle storyline links. This gives her 27 combinations of a new play. I’m not saying that’s easy, but that is playful. That’s saying there are multiple storylines out there. How many times do we play like that with our work?
I wonder….
“Serious play is not an oxymoron; it is the essence of innovation” Michael Schrage, author, Visiting Fellow, Imperial College
Something new…
A crowd favourite improv game, New Choice, casts two players to play out a scene, usually suggested by the audience. The game’s host will call “New Choice” anytime during the dialogue and the speaker must immediately replace their last line with a new one. On the spot. For example…
Player A: “I brought you a coffee.”
Player B: “Thanks, I needed that.”
Caller: “New choice!”
Player B: “Thanks, I hate caffeine.”
Caller: “New choice!”
Player B: “Thanks, but I ordered a llama.”
And so it goes on. This game could easily pivot into the workplace. For example… A team is discussing how to boost engagement with a new product launch.
Player A: “Let’s post daily updates on LinkedIn.”
Player B: “Great. That’ll keep us visible.”
Facilitator: “New choice!”
Player B: “Great. And try a short-form video series!”
Facilitator: “New choice!”
Player B: “What if we let our customers post their stories and we amplify those?”
You can see how this game can break people out of habitual thinking. It encourages divergent ideas, helps to build resilience when challenged, and keeps the tone light. Even when the topic matters. I guarantee, with a bit of improv muscle building, you’ll get more varied responses than from a post-it-note brainstorm. And don’t get me started on brainstorms…
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