Courtney McLeod, an award-winning speaker and professional life and leadership coach, shares her passion for the transformative power of play. She discusses how incorporating play into adult life can enhance relationships and foster personal and professional growth. Unexpectedly, she highlights board games as tools for community building and emphasizes play's role in boosting mental health. Listeners are encouraged to embrace fun and revisit joyful experiences to improve well-being, particularly through creative engagements and team-building initiatives.
Play is a powerful tool for adults, enhancing creativity and fostering connections, contrary to the belief that it's only for children.
Incorporating playful activities into daily routines can significantly improve relationships and collaboration in both personal and professional environments.
Deep dives
The Importance of Play for All Ages
Play is often mistaken as a domain reserved exclusively for children, but it holds significant benefits for adults as well. The misconception that adults should prioritize seriousness and responsibilities over play is challenged, emphasizing that engaging in playful activities can enhance creativity, reduce stress, and foster connections. For instance, an annual event where women joyously sprayed champagne on each other, celebrating their achievements, serves as a powerful example of how adults can create celebratory and playful environments. This highlights the need for adults to embrace play not only for enjoyment but also as a valuable tool for personal and professional growth.
Integrating Play into Everyday Life
To effectively incorporate play in various settings such as education and the workplace, a shift in mindset is necessary. Play should not be limited to structured times like recess; rather, it should be woven into daily tasks as a means to make learning and collaboration more engaging. Simple actions, like turning laundry chores into a game, demonstrate that play can be seamlessly integrated into everyday activities, making them more enjoyable. Advocating for playful environments can lead to improved relationships and a more vibrant atmosphere in both personal and professional spaces.
Building Community Through Shared Play Experiences
Engaging in play fosters community and enhances interpersonal relationships, as seen in collaborative activities like laughter yoga or team-based games. When individuals step out of their comfort zones to participate in playful events, they often form deeper connections and shared memories that transcend typical professional interactions. For instance, a corporate team that participates in a playful bonding experience often discovers new avenues for communication and collaboration in their work environment. These shared experiences not only reduce stress but also build trust and camaraderie among participants, promoting a more positive organizational culture.
💡 On our power of play series this week we talk with Courtney McLeod.
Courtney is an award-winning speaker and a professional life and leadership coach. Her super power is helping people experience and achieve things they never thought possible and she does this work through one-on-one and group coaching programs. She loves leading corporate team-building events and workshops designed to positively impact participants. Courtney infuses fun and playfulness into all aspects of the work she does because she believes in the transformative power of play.