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Innovation Mindsets & Behaviors

Play

A practice of injecting humor, fun, and game design into everyday situations so we can accelerate learning and collaborations to be in a more open mindset.​

Download the behavior guide

When to Apply Play

We have been taught that work and play are different, and play is unproductive or lacks gravitas. But play is about letting go and being in-the-moment. Use it in your teams to shift the mindset, introduce a difficult topic, or "break-the-ice" with new people.

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"Our ability to play throughout life is the single most important factor in determining our success and happiness."

– Dr. Stuart Brown
National Institute of Play​

How to Practice Play

  • 1
    Energizers: Bring in a playful, 5-minute activity at the start of your meeting to change the mindset of your team. Science says teams that start with a small activity at the start will produce more novel ideas than teams who don't
  • 2
    Environment: Mix up your work environment. Have a meeting outside, change up your Zoom background, add music at the start of your meeting
  • 3
    Game Mechanics: Gamify your everyday routines and activities​
  • 3
    Permission: Give yourself, and peers, permission to be playful​
  • 4
    Suspend Judgment: Hold off on critiquing what is fun for others​
  • 6
    Small Steps: Do one small playful thing EVERY day ​

Download the Play Guide

Get access to a detailed guide on how to apply this behavior in your practice

Download now

The
Deliberate Play Guide

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