The Role of Play in Serious Innovation: Why Childlike Wonder Matters in the Workplace
Innovation is often considered a serious business, requiring careful thought, analysis, and strategy. Yet, some of the most significant innovations in history have come not from painstaking analysis but from moments of playful curiosity, experimentation, and exploration. At its core, creativity thrives in an environment of playfulness — a space where ideas can roam freely without the fear of failure or judgment. Here, we will explore how embracing play in the workplace can lead to breakthrough innovation and why childlike wonder is critical to serious business success.
At first glance, play may seem frivolous, even counterproductive, in a corporate environment where efficiency and results are prioritised. However, play taps into a state of mind essential for creative thinking. When we play, we engage with the world without constraints or predefined outcomes. We experiment, take risks, and allow our minds to wander into new territory — activities central to innovation.
Play activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, which enhances motivation, learning, and cognitive flexibility. This helps foster divergent thinking, where we generate a wide array of potential ideas or solutions, a critical process in the early stages of innovation. In short, play creates an environment where creativity can flourish.
Cognitive flexibility — the ability to shift thinking and adapt to new information — is at the heart of creative problem-solving. Play naturally enhances this ability by encouraging experimentation and breaking traditional thought patterns. Engaging in playful activities challenges your brain to think non-linearly, making unexpected connections between ideas.
For example, think of brainstorming sessions where ideas flow freely without judgment. These playful sessions allow participants to build on each other’s ideas, no matter how unconventional. This cognitive flexibility is essential for organizations facing complex challenges requiring new and innovative solutions.
Play also reduces stress, which is known to inhibit creativity. When employees are overly stressed or focused on meeting strict deadlines, their ability to think creatively diminishes. Play, in contrast, introduces a sense of relaxation and joy, which opens the door to greater creative exploration.
Playful environments foster collaboration and idea-sharing in ways that traditional meetings often cannot. Hierarchical barriers are lowered in a playful setting, and team members feel more comfortable expressing ideas that may be considered unconventional. This is where some of the most original and innovative ideas are born.
Take Google, for example, which is known for its playful corporate culture. The company encourages employees to spend a portion of their workweek on passion projects or experiments unrelated to their primary duties. This approach, known as “20% time,” has led to groundbreaking products like Gmail and Google News. By allowing employees to play with ideas, Google fosters an atmosphere where innovation is possible and expected.
Innovation requires taking risks, and play provides a safe space to experiment without the fear of failure. In play, failure is part of the process — it’s how we learn and adapt. When we treat failure as an opportunity for discovery rather than a setback, we create an environment where bold ideas can emerge.
IDEO, the design and innovation firm, exemplifies this approach. Known for its “design thinking” methodology, IDEO encourages teams to prototype early and often, treating the process as a form of play. By testing and iterating rapidly, teams can quickly discard ideas that don’t work and refine those that do, leading to faster, more innovative outcomes.
Children approach the world with wonder and curiosity. They ask endless questions and are constantly exploring new possibilities. This same sense of childlike wonder is essential for innovation in the workplace. A playful mindset encourages employees to question the status quo, explore new ideas, and remain open to new possibilities.
Companies that foster curiosity in their teams see higher levels of innovation. For example, LEGO, the iconic toy company, famously integrates play into its product development process. LEGO teams are encouraged to play with materials, explore new building techniques, and collaborate in playful environments. This has resulted in some of the most innovative products and experiences in the toy industry, such as the LEGO Serious Play method, which is now used for innovation and problem-solving in businesses worldwide.
Creating a playful environment doesn’t mean turning your office into a playground but fostering a culture that values exploration, experimentation, and joy in the work process.
Strategies for Introducing Play into the Workplace
1. Gamify Tasks: Turning routine tasks into games can add fun and competition, boosting engagement and creativity. Whether it’s creating challenges around productivity, problem-solving, or team collaboration, gamification can help employees approach tasks with a fresh perspective. For example, sales teams often use friendly competitions to see who can meet goals the fastest, injecting a sense of playfulness into what might otherwise feel like a high-pressure environment.
2. Create Playful Spaces: Designating areas in the workplace for play can encourage creativity. This might include lounges with board games, spaces for collaborative brainstorming with whiteboards, or even casual meeting rooms designed to break the routine of traditional office settings. These spaces serve as creative incubators where employees can engage in unstructured play, leading to spontaneous ideas and collaboration.
3. Encourage Playful Problem-Solving: Incorporating play into the problem-solving process can lead to more innovative solutions. For example, try using techniques like role-playing, drawing, or storytelling during brainstorming sessions to explore ideas more playfully and imaginatively. These techniques help teams break conventional thinking patterns and generate fresh perspectives.
4. Promote a Culture of Experimentation: Encourage employees to view experimentation as a form of play. Allow them to test ideas, fail, and iterate without fear of repercussions. This might mean creating a sandbox environment where employees can play with new tools or approaches without worrying about immediate results. Over time, this culture of experimentation will drive innovation.
Innovation is often seen as the product of serious, focused effort. While hard work and determination are essential, more is needed. Play is an equally important ingredient, with its ability to stimulate curiosity, encourage risk-taking, and foster collaboration. When employees are free to play, they feel empowered to explore new ideas, take risks, and innovate in ways that rigid, traditional environments don’t allow.
Play doesn’t diminish the seriousness of innovation — it enhances it. By creating a work environment that values childlike wonder, curiosity, and a sense of exploration, organizations can unlock the full creative potential of their teams. The future of innovation, it turns out, may look a lot more playful than we ever imagined.
