From Start-Up to Grown-Up

#64, Kristi Herold, Founder and CEO of JAM — Pivoting during a crisis, leading through playfulness, and creating joy in the workplace

Apr 9, 2024

In this conversation with Kristi Herold, Founder and CEO of JAM, we explore the transformative power of play in the workplace. Kristi shares how JAM pivoted during the pandemic to virtual events, showcasing the crucial role of resilience and creativity. She emphasizes injecting joy into corporate culture, from playful onboarding to open feedback, and discusses her journey through self-doubt as an entrepreneur. Her insights reveal that fostering social connections and a positive environment not only uplifts teams but also enhances overall productivity.

56:54

Episode guests

Kristi Herold

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

JAM's successful pivot to virtual events during the pandemic showcased how play can uplift team morale and strengthen connections.

Incorporating playful activities like music sessions and creative meetings significantly enhances employee engagement and overall workplace culture.

Leaders embracing vulnerability and humor can foster open communication and resilience within their teams, driving a positive work environment.

Deep dives

The Importance of Play in Organizations

Play is critical in fostering a positive work environment and enhancing connections among employees. Engaging in playful activities can significantly improve employee morale, productivity, and retention rates. Research indicates that when employees have close friends at work, they are more likely to remain in their jobs and recommend the organization as a great place to work. Organizations that encourage play can reap considerable benefits, including enhanced creativity and mental well-being of their workforce.

Intro

4min

Adapting Through Play: Resilience in the Pandemic

19min

Playful Onboarding: Building Connections

24min

Encouraging Radical Candor and Open Feedback in Leadership

2min

Learning from Pandemic Errors: The Importance of Workplace Culture

2min

Navigating Self-Doubt and Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey

4min

Embracing Opportunities and Prioritizing People in Leadership

3min

Kristi Herold is the CEO of JAM, a global business connecting people through play, and one of the largest recreational sports leagues in the world. Since 2020, JAM has produced 3,500+ corporate team-building events in over 30 countries. Kristi consults and speaks on how to move a culture from surviving to thriving. Her bestselling book, "It Pays to PLAY," is a rich resource to help organizations playfully connect with their teams and improve retention, engagement, and overall workplace culture.

Here are three takeaways from our talk:

- Pivot with Purpose

When faced with adversity, like the 18-month revenue hit from the pandemic, Jam Group's shift to virtual events and culture consulting didn't just salvage the business. It highlighted how play can create bridges and bolster morale even in the toughest times.

- Create Joy at Work

Kristi’s entrepreneurial wisdom reminds us that injecting playfulness into the workplaceâ€”be it through music sessions, sports teams, or creative meetingsâ€”can significantly uplift employee engagement and translate into happier customers and improved profitability.

- Lessons in Leadership

Embracing vulnerability, from owning up to mistakes to combating imposter syndrome, Kristi's approach underscores the power of radical candor and the significance of building social connections within teams for a stronger and more resilient organization.

Learn more about Kristi | Website
https://www.kristiherold.com

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