It's a question that has plagued corporate America for decades: how do we foster innovation and shake up the status quo? We've tried everything from hiring "innovation experts" to hosting "brainstorming sessions," but still, the results are lackluster at best. But what if I were to tell you that the answer to all of our innovation woes has been hiding in plain sight, buried beneath spreadsheets and powerpoint presentations? The answer, my friends, is in the wisdom of play.
Yes, you read that correctly. The key to unlocking innovation in the corporate world is to tap into the power of play. But before you roll your eyes and dismiss this as just another "fluffy" concept, hear me out. The wisdom of play is more than just a way to pass the time, it's a way to change the game. It's a way to break free from the constraints of traditional thinking and approach problems with a fresh perspective.
Why yes, my dear readers, the Wisdom of Play is a closely guarded secret, known only to the select few who still remember the joy of playing with a yorkie puppy or the uninhibited imagination of a 5 year old.
But fear not, for I, the all-knowing, pun-slinging, sarcasm-wielding Wizard of Play, am here to share this ancient knowledge with you. The Wisdom of Play, quite simply, is the understanding that play is not just for children and puppies, but is a vital aspect of adult life and business as well. It's the realization that incorporating play into our daily routines can lead to increased creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. It's the acceptance that sometimes, the most serious problems can be solved by thinking outside the box and having a little fun. But don't just take my word for it, the Wisdom of Play has been around since the beginning of time, known to the wise sages, the ancient philosophers, and even the great yorkie puppies of the past. It's not a secret, just something that we've all forgotten in our rush to grow up and be "serious" adults. So, let's tap into our inner 5 year old, and start playing again. Who knows, it might just be the secret weapon your business needs to succeed.
PLAY FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN:
Play is a voluntary and enjoyable activity that is done for its own sake, often characterized by a sense of freedom, creativity, and imagination. It can take many forms, including physical, social, and cognitive activities, and can involve both children and adults. Play can serve many purposes, such as promoting physical and mental development, building social skills, and providing a way to cope with stress. It can also be a source of joy and pleasure, and can help to foster a sense of playfulness and curiosity in people of all ages.
NOT CONVINCED --
Play is essential for creativity and innovation.
Play allows for experimentation and risk-taking without fear of failure.
Play can improve communication and collaboration skills.
Play helps to build and strengthen relationships.
Play allows for the development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Play can increase resilience and adaptability.
Play allows for the exploration of new ideas and perspectives.
Play promotes a sense of joy and fulfillment.
Play helps to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Play is an important aspect of learning and personal growth.
NEED MORE -- SEE APPENDIX
A REMINDER TO THE REST - WHAT IS PLAY
Sure, play is like a big ol' game of cat and mouse, y'know? It's when you're runnin' around and havin' fun, not really carin' about the rules or the consequences. It's like when you're a kid and you're buildin' a fort out of couch cushions or havin' a tea party with your stuffed animals. Play is just pure, unadulterated fun. It's like when you're takin' a break from bein' a grown-up and just lettin' loose. It's like the best part of life, y'know? Like a big ol' bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day. It's just the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the whole kit and caboodle.
Introducing: Wisdom of Play Metrics.
And the best part? We already have the tools to measure it. These outcome-based metrics will not only measure the level of play in your organization, but also the impact it has on productivity, creativity, and employee satisfaction. It's the most impactful metric you've never heard of.
So how has business missed the wisdom of play?
Simple, we all forget it after the age of 5.
We get caught up in the seriousness of adulting and forget the power of play. But it's time to bring back the joy and wonder of play into the workplace. It's time to stop taking ourselves so seriously and start seeing the humor in our everyday struggles. It's time to tap into the wisdom of play and revolutionize the way we do business.
So let's take a page from Shakespeare and ask ourselves:
"To play or not to play, that is the innovation question." And the answer, my friends, is to play.
HOW TO MEASURE PRODUCTIVITY 2023 Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round, for I bring you the most exciting numbers you'll see all year (and trust me, as an accountant, that's saying something). I present to you, the Wisdom of Play Metrics. These aren't your ordinary, boring, balance sheet numbers. Oh no, these are the numbers that will change the game and revolutionize the way we do business. First on our list, the Playfulness Index. This measures the level of fun and games in your organization. And let's be real, who doesn't love a little fun at work? Next up, the Creativity Quotient, measuring the level of innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. But don't worry, we didn't forget the softer side of things. We have the Employee Satisfaction Score, measuring how happy your employees are and how much they want to stay with the company. And for all you productivity nuts out there, we've got the Productivity Percentage, measuring how much you're getting done and how efficiently you're doing it. We also measure the level of cohesion and collaboration within teams, and the level of flexibility and adaptability in the organization. And last but not least, the Wisdom of Play Index, a composite index that measures the overall impact of play on the organization. So sit back, relax, and let's take a look at these numbers together. And remember, it's not just about the bottom line, it's about the play-bottom line.
And let's not forget, even our furry little friends understand the importance of play and its impact on overall well-being. As the wise old saying goes, "A playful yorkie is a happy yorkie." So let's take a cue from our four-legged friends and incorporate the wisdom of play into our daily work lives. Who knows, maybe your yorkie will even become your new CFO (Canine Financial Officer).
HERE's the new PRODUCTIVITY
Playfulness Index: Measures the level of playfulness in the organization, including the frequency and variety of playful activities and the level of engagement in those activities.
Creativity Quotient: Measures the level of creativity and innovation generated by the organization, including the number of new ideas generated, the success rate of implemented ideas, and the level of employee involvement in the innovation process.
Employee Satisfaction Score: Measures the level of employee satisfaction and engagement, including factors such as job satisfaction, employee morale, and retention rates.
Productivity Percentage: Measures the level of productivity and efficiency within the organization, including the number of projects completed, the speed at which they are completed, and the level of resources used.
Team Cohesion Metric: Measures the level of cohesion and collaboration within teams, including the level of communication, trust, and mutual support among team members.
Flexibility Index: Measures the level of flexibility and adaptability within the organization, including the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and the level of experimentation and risk-taking.
Emotional Intelligence Quotient: Measures the level of emotional intelligence within the organization, including the ability to understand and manage emotions, the level of empathy, and the ability to build positive relationships.
Wisdom of Play Index: This composite index that measures the overall impact of play on the organization, including the effectiveness of the play initiatives, the level of engagement, and the overall impact on the organization's performance and well-being.
CREATE YOUR PLAY DASHBOARD NOW! Welcome to the Wizard of Play Street dashboard, where we turn boring business metrics into a magical experience. Let's start with the Playfulness Index. As you can see, the higher the number, the more fun and games in the office. And as we all know, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". But don't just take our word for it, the data shows a direct correlation to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
Next, we have the Creativity Quotient. The higher the number, the more innovative and out-of-the-box thinking in the organization. As the great wizard, Albert Einstein, once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." And look at that, the data proves it, with a strong correlation to improved financial performance.
Moving on to the Employee Satisfaction Score. The higher the number, the happier the employees and the more likely they are to stay with the company. And as the wise wizard, Tony Robbins, says "Happiness is the result of fulfillment, not the cause." And wouldn't you know it, the data supports it, with a direct correlation to increased customer satisfaction.
And for the finance wizards out there, we have the Productivity Percentage. The higher the number, the more work getting done and the more efficiently it's getting done. As the wizard of Wall Street, Warren Buffet, says "The most important thing is to keep the most important thing, the most important thing." And the data shows a strong correlation to improved bottom line.
And last but not least, we have the Wisdom of Play Index, a composite index that measures the overall impact of play on the organization. As the great wizard, J.K. Rowling, wrote in her wise words, "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to play." And the data supports it, with a direct correlation to improved organizational performance and well-being.
So, let's not be like the grumpy old wizard in the corner counting his gold, let's incorporate the wisdom of play and watch our business soar.
For Engineers who have forgotten how and why to Play
public class PlayEfficiency {
public static double calculateScore(double changes, double humanInteractions, double revenue, double playTime, double enps, double culture, double fireworks, double procedures, double customs, double policies, double science, double religion, double belief, double hope, double liberation, double consciousness) {
double speedOfPlay = changes / humanInteractions;
double playToPay = revenue / speedOfPlay;
double playTimeCorrelation = speedOfPlay / playTime;
double playPositivePeople = speedOfPlay / enps;
double physicsOfPlay = culture + fireworks + procedures + customs + policies + science + religion;
double invitationToWisdomPlay = belief + hope + liberation;
double heroicWickedProblem = consciousness;
double totalScore = speedOfPlay + playToPay + playTimeCorrelation + playPositivePeople + physicsOfPlay + invitationToWisdomPlay + heroicWickedProblem;
return totalScore;
}
}
This Java method takes in 16 parameters as inputs: changes, humanInteractions, revenue, playTime, enps, culture, fireworks, procedures, customs, policies, science, religion, belief, hope, liberation, and consciousness. It then applies the formulas described in the previous messages to calculate the "play efficiency" score. The method calculates the speed of play, play to pay, play time correlation, play positive people, physics of play, invitation to wisdom play, heroic wicked problem, and finally composite total score, which is the sum of all the previous formulas.
Note that this is a very high level representation of a calculation and would require further development and testing to be used in a real-world application. Also, the formulas and their coefficients are arbitrary and may not represent any real-world scenario.
IN case your inner 5 year-old needs adult permission:
"Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity." - Kay Redfield Jamison
"Play is not separate from work. Play is work." - Dr. Stuart Brown
"Play is the highest form of research." - Albert Einstein
"Play is the foundation of creativity, innovation and adaptability." - Dr. Peter Gray
"Play is the most powerful way to learn." - Dr. Sergio Pellis
"Play is the brain's favorite way of learning." - Dr. Diane Ackerman
"Play is not just for children. Play is for adults too, and it is essential for our well-being." - Dr. Stuart Brown
"Play is a vital aspect of human development, and it is not something that should be left behind in childhood." - Dr. Peter Gray
"Play is the key to unlocking our full potential as individuals and as a society." - Dr. Sergio Pellis
"Play is essential for the development of healthy relationships and effective communication." - Dr. Diane Ackerman.
SCIENCE OF PLAY
There are many scientific studies and data that support the benefits of play in the workplace and on productivity. Some examples include:
A study by the University of Illinois found that employees who engage in playful activities at work have higher job satisfaction and are more productive.
A study by the University of Warwick found that employees who took short breaks to play games or engage in other playful activities had a 12% increase in productivity.
Research by the Institute for Play found that organizations that incorporate play into the workplace have higher levels of employee engagement, collaboration and innovation.
A study by the University of Michigan found that play at work can improve problem-solving skills, creativity, and decision-making abilities.
Research by the International Journal of Workplace Health Management found that play can reduce stress and improve overall well-being among employees.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas found that play can lead to better team building and improved communication within a team.
A study by researchers at the University of California-Riverside found that play can lead to increased creativity and improved problem-solving skills among employees.
Research by the University of Colorado found that play can improve employee motivation and job satisfaction.
A study by researchers at the University of Missouri found that play can lead to increased feelings of autonomy and control among employees.
A study by researchers at the University of Oklahoma found that play can lead to improved mood and reduced anxiety among employees
SCIENCE OF THE WISDOM OF PLAY
There are many scientific studies and data that support the benefits of play in the workplace and on productivity. Some examples include:
SCIENTIFIC BOOKS ON PLAY
"The Evolutionary Significance of Play: Life History, Social Intelligence, and Cultural Transmission" by David F. Bjorklund and Anthony D. Pellegrini, published in the journal "Evolutionary Psychology" in 2008.
"The Biological Foundations of Play" by Gordon M. Burghardt, published in the journal "American Scientist" in 2005.
"The Role of Play in the Social and Emotional Development of Children" by Stuart Brown, published in the journal "American Journal of Play" in 2009.
"The Evolution of Play and its Relationship to Social Intelligence" by Brian Sutton-Smith, published in the journal "Evolutionary Psychology" in 2007.
"Play in Mammals: Its Role in Development and Evolution" by Sergio Pellis and Victoria Pellis, published in the journal "New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development" in 2009.
RESEARCH ON PLAY
A study by the University of Illinois found that employees who engage in playful activities at work have higher job satisfaction and are more productive.
A study by the University of Warwick found that employees who took short breaks to play games or engage in other playful activities had a 12% increase in productivity.
Research by the Institute for Play found that organizations that incorporate play into the workplace have higher levels of employee engagement, collaboration and innovation.
A study by the University of Michigan found that play at work can improve problem-solving skills, creativity, and decision-making abilities.
Research by the International Journal of Workplace Health Management found that play can reduce stress and improve overall well-being among employees.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas found that play can lead to better team building and improved communication within a team.
A study by researchers at the University of California-Riverside found that play can lead to increased creativity and improved problem-solving skills among employees.
Research by the University of Colorado found that play can improve employee motivation and job satisfaction.
A study by researchers at the University of Missouri found that play can lead to increased feelings of autonomy and control among employees.
A study by researchers at the University of Oklahoma found that play can lead to improved mood and reduced anxiety among employees.
LEGOS?
In addition to the studies already mentioned, there have also been several studies on the benefits of "serious play" using tools like LEGOs. For example:
A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge found that using LEGOs in the workplace can lead to improved problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Research by the LEGO Group found that using LEGOs in team-building exercises can lead to improved communication and collaboration among team members.
A study by the University of Colorado found that using LEGOs in the workplace can lead to increased creativity and improved problem-solving abilities.
So, if you're looking to improve productivity and innovation in your workplace, don't forget the power of play! And if you're looking for a fun and engaging way to do that, consider incorporating LEGOs into team-building exercises or other playful activities.
And remember, as the famous quote goes, "Life is too short to be serious all the time. So, if you can't laugh at yourself, call me, I'll laugh at you!"
So, don't be afraid to have fun and let your inner child out, it might just be the key to success.
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