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How Play Can Transform Teams and Break Down Barriers: Insights from the BizSouls Podcast



In a recent BizSouls podcast episode, I was asked a compelling question: How could opposing political parties, like the RNC and DNC, or even feuding departments in a company, work better together? This question took me to the heart of why I believe so strongly in the power of play and experiential learning for overcoming divisions and creating collaboration.


1. Creating Shared Human Experiences: The Starting Point for Connection


One of the core ideas I touched on in my response was the importance of shared human experiences. Whether we’re talking about polarized political groups or coworkers struggling to communicate, there’s always a common ground rooted in basic human needs. We all share frustrations—long workdays, too many tasks, stress, and the need to feel understood and respected. When we start with this shared experience, it becomes easier to build empathy and lower the barriers between people.


Instead of diving into complex challenges right away, focusing on small, relatable changes—like “making our day suck a little less”—creates a neutral, accessible starting point. Reducing the tension helps create space for more open and productive conversations.


2. Play as a Tool to Address Complex Dynamics


When we bring play into these challenging environments, it works as an icebreaker—engaging people in ways that traditional team-building or problem-solving exercises often can’t.


  • Low-Stakes, High-Impact Engagement: Play gives individuals a chance to connect on a human level, without the usual pressures of workplace or political expectations. In both politics and business, the friction that keeps people divided can melt away in these low-stakes, positive environments.


  • Psychological Safety and Vulnerability: Play allows for an environment of psychological safety, where people feel comfortable being vulnerable. This kind of vulnerability is critical for fostering creativity and innovation, whether you’re solving a political problem or addressing workplace conflicts.


3. Play and the Creative Process: Vulnerability Breeds Innovation


Another important takeaway I discussed was the connection between creativity and vulnerability. The creative process—whether it’s finding solutions to complex business challenges or devising innovative political strategies—requires individuals to be vulnerable, to take risks, and to be open to failure. Play creates the ideal conditions for this, helping teams get comfortable with uncertainty and work through challenges in a safe, supportive environment.

Through play, teams learn how to fail forward and use those failures as stepping stones to growth and success. By engaging in play, they are better able to embrace uncertainty and become more comfortable with the iterative process of innovation.


4. Play vs. ROI: The Long-Term Impact of Play


One of the challenges I often face is how to quantify the success of play. Traditional metrics like ROI don’t fully capture the benefits of experiential learning and play-based interventions. Play impacts organizations on a deeper, cultural level, where results may not be immediately visible in numbers but have profound effects over time.


  • Culture as the Foundation: At Barometer XP, we believe that company culture and employee well-being are the foundation of productivity and success. Play helps foster curiosity, openness, and collaboration, all of which lead to better long-term outcomes.


  • Cultural Buy-In: Not all companies are ready to adopt play-based approaches. However, for those who prioritize culture and employee engagement, play can be a game-changer. When leaders embrace this mindset, they open the door to more creative problem-solving and greater team cohesion.


5. Play and Positive Psychology in Leadership


As I concluded in the podcast, play is a tool that can transform not just the way teams work but also the way leaders lead. Leaders who integrate play into their leadership approach foster an environment where their teams can thrive. Play-based learning supports creativity, builds resilience, and fosters a collaborative, innovative culture.


  • A New Leadership Strategy: Leaders who embrace play as a strategy for team development are better equipped to handle the complexities of today’s fast-changing business environment. Play not only boosts engagement but also creates a more resilient, adaptable workforce.



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