Playful Leadership

All too often, play is thought to be something that is not desirable or even acceptable in a work environment. Consequently, playfulness is frequently omitted as a trait central to good leadership, when it should instead be considered essential in a world in constant flux.

At CounterPlay ‘16, we will investigate what it means to be a playful leader in practice, and how to become one. In short, we think a playful leader is a leader, who not only accepts, but actively supports a playful culture.

Play opens up an organisation to the world. In play, we embrace the unpredictable. We accept that the world is complex and chaotic, and we increase our ability to navigate this complexity. When you’re a playful leader, you are able to instill the people around you with the courage to experiment, and to take steps into the unknown, to break free from patterns and habits. In play, anything is possible. Your imagination is set free, your creativity runs wild, and your most crazy ideas may be the most meaningful ones.