"Mammals use play as a way to experiment in a low-stakes environment. So, when there is that time that a lynx is chasing you, you're not getting nervous about how to navigate the side of a mountain, you're completely comfortable with that."
"When a team engages in a playful activity—whether it's a quick purposeful primer at the start of a meeting or using analogies to solve a complex problem—they are signaling to one another that the environment is safe. This is the bedrock of psychological safety."
"Kates, who holds an MIT neuroscience certification, argues that play is not just for the playground; it is a biological necessity for all mammals. When we play, our brains are flooded with dopamine, which enhances focus, engagement, and retention."
"As leaders, we are currently facing a crisis of connection. With the rise of hybrid work and the looming pressures of AI, employees are feeling more isolated and stressed than ever. If we want to keep our best people, we have to move beyond traditional perks and look at the biological roots of how humans actually bond and innovate."
Playfulness is presented as a biological necessity that supports workplace culture, allyship, and talent retention. Play increases dopamine, improving focus, engagement, and retention. Play also creates a low-stakes environment for practicing social navigation, which signals safety to others and builds psychological safety. Simple playful practices, such as purposeful meeting primers and using analogies to solve complex problems, help teams communicate that the environment is safe. This safety supports allyship by making it easier for people to take risks, learn, and connect authentically. Leaders are encouraged to address isolation and stress from hybrid work and AI pressures by fostering safety and genuine connection rather than relying only on traditional perks.
Read at Forbes
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