When we talk about play in corporate spaces, the reactions are mixed. Some smile knowingly, others raise an eyebrow. For many, “play” feels out of place in boardrooms and performance reviews. But in our experience at FocusU, play isn’t a distraction from work. It’s often the gateway to doing better work.
We’ve facilitated hundreds of workshops across industries, and one insight holds true across the board: when people play, they open up, connect more deeply, think more creatively, and learn more effectively.
Related Reading: 5 Steps for using Experiential Learning with Power of Play
Play Breaks Through Mental Baggage
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We’ve noticed that when participants enter a training room, they carry more than their notebooks. They bring past experiences – of boring workshops, awkward icebreakers, or sessions that didn’t land. This mental baggage sets the tone for how open (or closed) they are.
That’s why we often start with playful activities that spark laughter. Laughter is disarming. When you laugh, you let go. And suddenly, the walls people carry begin to fall. Play cuts through cynicism and creates space for curiosity.
In our experience, this shift lays the foundation for deeper learning. Participants lean in. They become present. And the workshop transforms from a session to a shared experience.
Related Reading: The Team That Plays Together
Play Builds Trust Faster
In corporate life, we’re used to showing only the polished version of ourselves. The one that’s competent, composed, and in control. Titles, KPIs, and deadlines define interactions. But play brings out the human beneath the role.
We’ve seen this in activities like “Pirates Walk the Plank,” where even the most serious leaders are invited to do silly walks. The laughter it generates isn’t just comic relief – it’s a powerful equalizer. In those moments, hierarchy dissolves, and connection deepens.
Research supports this too. Play triggers the release of oxytocin – the trust hormone. Teams that play together build psychological safety faster, which then enables collaboration, feedback, and innovation.
Related Reading: Why Trust Matters?
Play Changes Mind States
We often say: you can’t think your way out of a mindset, but you can move your way into one. That’s the power of physical play.
Activities that involve movement, improvisation, or humor physically shift participants out of stress and into a more relaxed, open, and creative state. It’s why even a simple energizer can feel like a reboot button mid-session.
Neuroscience backs this up. Play stimulates the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for learning, decision-making, and emotional regulation. That’s why participants often feel more energized, focused, and connected after play.
Play Encourages Exploration and Innovation
Play removes the pressure of getting it right. And in doing so, it creates the ideal environment for experimentation.
As children, we were natural innovators. A cardboard box became a spaceship. A stick, a magic wand. But somewhere along the way, we traded imagination for instruction.
In our LEGO SERIOUS PLAY sessions, we see adults rediscover that creative confidence. They stop looking for “the right answer” and start exploring possibilities. And that’s where breakthroughs begin.
Gamification is another way this insight has made its way into corporate learning. By applying game design principles – points, challenges, feedback loops, and levels – organizations can make even mundane tasks engaging. We’ve used these principles in designing simulations, assessments, and learning journeys that boost participation and retention.
Related Reading: How To Use LEGO Serious Play To Enhance Creativity?
Play Reinforces Learning
Learning that’s fun is learning that sticks. In our experience, sessions that include playful elements tend to have:
- Higher engagement
- Better recall
- Stronger application back at work
Why? Because play activates multiple learning modalities – visual, kinesthetic, and emotional. When someone laughs, builds, or role-plays their way through a concept, it becomes part of their experience, not just their notes.
And it’s not just us. The Association for Talent Development (ATD) has highlighted experiential and gamified learning as key trends for driving learning transfer and ROI.
Related Reading: How can Gamification be used as a Learning Tool for Your Organisation?
Play Drives Motivation and Belonging
Teams that play together tend to feel more like… teams.
Whether it’s solving a mystery challenge, completing a digital scavenger hunt, or building something together, shared play builds a sense of “we.”
This sense of belonging has a real impact. Research from Gallup shows that employees who feel they belong are:
- 3x more likely to be engaged
- 2x more likely to feel resilient
- 5x more likely to recommend their company as a great place to work
We’ve seen this in action post-pandemic, where virtual team-building sessions helped remote teams reconnect, rediscover fun, and rebuild cohesion.
Related Reading: 5 Tips for managing Virtual Teams
What This Means for L&D and HR Professionals
If you’re planning learning journeys, don’t relegate play to just the opening activity. Design it intentionally across the experience. Here’s how:
- Use play to set the tone: Start with something that invites openness.
- Gamify milestones: Add progress mechanics to longer programs.
- Design with delight: Even serious content can be engaging.
- Encourage play post-session: Provide toolkits or reflection prompts that involve creativity.
- Train facilitators to hold space for play: It’s not just what you do, but how you invite others in.
The Big Idea: Play is Not the Opposite of Work
As Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, says: “It’s not an ‘either/or.’ You can be serious and play.”
At FocusU, we believe that deeply. We’ve seen firsthand how play unlocks potential. It helps people shed resistance, build resilience, and embrace growth.
So the next time someone asks, “Why play?”, remind them:
- Because it helps us learn faster.
- Because it builds trust deeper.
- Because it invites creativity.
- Because it brings joy.
And in workplaces that often feel heavy, joy is a competitive advantage.
Let your teams play. Let them #BeMore.
