Play at Work:Harnessing human potential through playwith Portia Tung

If you were a super hero,who would you be and why?

Portia Tung

Agile Coach, Storyteller & Founder of The School of PlayBlog: www.selfishprogramming.org | Twitter: @portiatung

Project: www.theschoolofplay.org | @tsoplay

Harness Play Potential

As a play seeker / play skeptic*I need to harness play potentialSo that we can improve individual and team performance and happiness.

Success Criteria[ ] I have a basic understanding of play.[ ] I can explain the importance of play at work.[ ] I’ve one or more ideas to try outside of work.[ ] I’ve one or more ideas to try back at work.[ ] I’ve had fun! * You choose

Warm Bodies 2013Directed and written by Jonathan Levine

Doodle Time!

Play is like…

Seemingly purposelessVoluntary

Inherent attractionTime flies by

Reduces sense of self-consciousnessPotential for improvisation

Desire to keep going

Stuart Brown M.D.,Founder of the National Institute of Play

Play is…

Why play?Shapes an organism’s brainMakes animals smarter and more adaptableEnables us to sustain social relationships Fuels creativity and innovation

When was the last time you played?

The XP Game - Boston, Summer 2010www.xpgame.be by Pascal Van Cauwenberghe and Vera Peeters

When was the last time you played ……at work?

Play Seeker or Play Skeptic?

low high

low

high

KNOWHOW

DESIRE

[3]Can play

Won’t play

[1]Can play

Want to play

[4]Can’t playWon’t play

[2]Can’t play

Want to play

Play Seeker Play Skeptic Quadrant by Portia Tung

What’s the opposite of Play?

Play

Creativity & Innovation

Invention Growth

Work

Purpose Competence

Play as described in “Play“ by Stuart Brown, M.D, with Christopher Vaughan© 2010 Penguin Books Ltd

[3]Can play

Won’t play

[1]Can play

Want to play

[4]Can’t playWon’t play

[2]Can’t play

Want to play

Depression

Running On Empty

Exhaustion Funnel by Marie Asberg, Stockholm Institute

Sick in Mind and Body

• 131 million days were lost due to sickness absences in the UK in 2013

• Musculoskeletal problems (such as neck and back pain) equalled 30.6 million days lost

• Mental health problems (such as stress, depression and anxiety) contributed to 15.2 million days lost

• Burnout Questionnaire:https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_08.htm

Full report: Sickness Absence in the Labour Market 2014

Shake! Shake! Shake!

Why should adults play?Breaks down barriers between peopleOpens the mind to enable learningOpens the heart to create a connectionSource of joySource of hope

The XP Game – London, 22 – 23 April 2010

How many squares?

Which is the correct answer?

a) 17b) 26c) 30d) None of the above

5 – 10 mins of play per day1 day of play lasts up to a weekLittle and often

Your Recommended Daily Amount of Play

The History of Play

Play == Evil476AD - 1500

John LockeAnti-corporal punishment

1700

Corporal punishment banned in

Poland

1783

3 Rs1825

Lego1932

IQ1916

Homo Ludens

1938

Multiple Intelligences

1983

Multiple Intelligences

Multiple Intelligences by Howard GardnerImage from www.connectionsacademy.com

The History of Play

Play == Evil476AD - 1500

John LockeAnti-corporal punishment

1700

Corporal punishment banned in

Poland

1783

3 Rs1825

Lego1932

IQ1916

Homo Ludens

1938

Multiple Intelligences

1983

EQ1990

Dr Stuart Brown

2010

Article 31 Right to

Play

1991

UN General Comment

17

2013

The History of Play

Play == Evil476AD - 1500

John LockeAnti-corporal punishment

1700

Corporal punishment banned in

Poland

1783

3 Rs1825

Lego1932

IQ1916

Homo Ludens

1938

Multiple Intelligences

1983

EQ1990

Dr Stuart Brown

2010Play IQ

2014

Article 31 Right to

Play

1991

UN General Comment

17

2013

Meta-Intelligence of Human Intelligence

P l a y I n t e l l i g e n c e

Your Play FutureSuppose tonight, while you slept, a miracle occurred.

When you awake tomorrow, what would be some of the things you would notice that would tell you that your life had suddenly become more playful?

Take 5 minutes.In pairs, take turns sharing your miracle and make notes for one another.

Adaption of the Miracle Question by Steve de Shazer & Insoo Kim Berg,Developers of Solution Focused Therapy

Play at Work• Talk about play– “What did you do last weekend?’’– “What are you planning to do tonight?’’

• Play games– Bring a game in to play with colleagues/team– Arrange games nights

• Play at meetings– Ice breakers

• Solo play– Take a different route to work– Go somewhere else for lunch

Play for Your Life

• Play == antidote to chronic zombism

• Play once a day to keep the doctor and priest away!

• Have fun developing your Play IQ =>

The History of Play

Play == Evil476AD - 1500

John LockeAnti-corporal punishment

1700

Corporal punishment banned in

Poland

1783

3 Rs1825

Lego1932

IQ1916

Homo Ludens

1938

Multiple Intelligences

1983

EQ1990

Dr Stuart Brown

2010Play IQ

2014

Article 31 Right to

Play

1991

UN General Comment

17

2013 The School of Play

2016

Play Treasure Trove

Ted talks:Play is more than just fun by Dr Stuart BrownHow Schools Kill Creativity by Ken RobinsonEnterprise Gardening by Portia Tung

More videos:http://www.playwales.org.uk/eng/rightoplayThe Power of Play: Making Good Teams Great by Portia Tung

The School of Playwww.theschoolofplay.org

@tsoplay

Harness Play Potential

As a play seeker / play skeptic*I need to harness play potentialSo that we can improve individual and team performance and happiness.

Success Criteria[ ] I have a basic understanding of play.[ ] I can explain the importance of play at work.[ ] I’ve one or more ideas to try outside of work.[ ] I’ve one or more ideas to try back at work.[ ] I’ve had fun! * You choose

Thanks for playing!

Agile Coach, Storyteller & Founder of The School of PlayBlog: www.selfishprogramming.org | Twitter: @portiatung

Project: www.theschoolofplay.org | @tsoplay