Worth Coming Into The Office For

With back-to-work mandates in full swing, it's important that leaders provide experiences that leverage the power of in-person collaboration and harness some much-needed creativity.

Don't be another out-of-touch extractive leader who waxes poetic about the importance of people and culture, but fails to back it up with an investment of time and energy that actually resources and energizes your team!

If you're going to mandate or encourage people to come into the office on any given day, it’s important to capture the value of playful in-person interactions. They fulfill an essential role in building strong connections and fostering a sense of belonging for all your teammates.

The Importance of Team Connection and Belonging

Research has shown that social interactions are crucial for our happiness and well-being. According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index , 85% of employees would be motivated to go into the office to rebuild team bonds, and 84% would be motivated to go into the office if they could socialize with coworkers. These statistics highlight the deep desire for human connection and the need for meaningful interactions with colleagues.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that not everyone has had positive experiences in the office. Women of color, for example, often face microaggressions, pressure to conform to dominant standards of professionalism and high rates of workplace stress and burnout. Creating a safe and inclusive environment where all team members feel seen, heard, and valued is essential. Its not possible to get the full benefits of play without engaging in the discomfort of acknowledging pain points and struggles first.

Not all play is created equal, which is why I use a framework that is rooted in both emotional intelligence and cultural competence. So that people from all genders, races, abilities, and learning types can equally benefit from team experiences, and play happens from a place of shared understanding, not hollow intentions.

The benefits of play become real when we are brave enough to say the things we've been holding in, and from that discomfort, take meaningful action together - otherwise, the play can feel disingenuous and performative.

Real change comes from consistent action over time, and a playful posture can mentally, emotionally, and physically give your team the energy and clarity they need to move in the right direction.

The Power of Play

Play is our brain’s evolutionary mechanism to create the safety needed to take learning risks and build strong relationships with others. It is a powerful tool that can foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation within teams. When we engage in playful activities, we tap into our natural curiosity and unlock our full potential. Play allows us to let go of inhibitions, break down barriers, and build trust with our colleagues. It's not all rainbows and lollipops - but a safe space to explore new realizations, possibilities, and ideas, and their associated discomfort, together.

In today's cultural tug-of-war, honing emotional and cultural intelligence has become paramount, so that we can build real connections across backgrounds, statuses, and experiences. My workshops offer a unique blend of playfulness and purpose, creating an environment where your team can learn and grow while enjoying the process. Here are three reasons you should bring the power of play to your next team retreat:

1. Boosting Emotional and Cultural Intelligence: In a world that values empathy and cross-cultural understanding, playful workshops provide hands-on experiences that enhance emotional and cultural intelligence. Your team will develop the skills needed to navigate diverse work environments with ease and sensitivity.
2. Fostering Connection and Belonging: Strong interpersonal relationships are the cornerstone of a thriving workplace. Through interactive activities and engaging discussions, playful workshops foster connections among team members, leading to a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
3. Engaging the Whole Body and Nervous System: Our team experiences are designed to engage the whole body and nervous system. This approach creates a deeper level of interaction and learning, making the experience more meaningful, memorable, and more impactful.

How Certain Types Of Activities Are Better In-Person:

As a woman of color who builds community for other women of color, I know what a huge difference it makes to have access to hybrid and remote work for healthy work-life boundaries. The microaggressions and emotional laboring add up and being at home simply helps us stay less stressed. However, as a playful facilitator and coach, I know that the senses and nervous system light up when we get bodies involved and use somatic intelligence as we play together - something our professional workplace cultures tend to frown upon, despite the well-documented benefits.

Sure, online activities excel in convenience, flexibility, and efficiency, making them particularly suitable for routine updates, remote collaboration, and tasks that don't require immediate emotional nuances.

However, when emotional nuance, cross-cultural communication, and creative thinking are involved, in-person reigns supreme.

Team Building and Bonding

• Research from MIT's Human Dynamics Laboratory suggests that face-to-face communication is essential for building trust and collaboration within teams. The study found that teams communicating more frequently in person are more likely to be successful.

Complex Problem Solving

• A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology showed that face-to-face communication enhances cooperation and coordination in complex tasks. The ability to observe non-verbal cues and engage in immediate feedback promotes better understanding and decision-making.

Creativity and Innovation Workshops

• Collaborative creativity often thrives in a physical space where participants can engage in dynamic discussions, draw on whiteboards, and brainstorm collectively. The energy and synergy generated by being in the same room can spark innovative ideas and unconventional solutions.

Conflict Resolution

• Resolving conflicts involves emotional nuances that are better-addressed face-to-face. Being physically present allows for empathetic gestures, direct eye contact, and body language that communicate understanding and receptiveness. These elements contribute to a more constructive and effective resolution process.

Strategic Planning

• According to an article published in the Harvard Business Review , strategic sessions conducted in person tend to result in more engaged discussions and better alignment. In-person meetings allow for listening to frontline employee concerns and strategically alleviating them, leading to higher revenue and customer satisfaction.

Professional Shouldn't Mean Boring

In summary, the advantages of in-person interactions lie in the richness of non-verbal cues, the spontaneity of discussions, and the deeper sense of connection they foster. A playful workshop that prioritizes team connection and belonging is worth coming to the office for. Playfulness is a powerful tool for building strong relationships, fostering creativity, and enhancing collaboration within teams. By designing and implementing a workshop that incorporates play-based learning, team-building activities, and reflective discussions, organizations can create a work environment that is inclusive, engaging, and supportive. I invite you to get in touch with me to help you design and facilitate a playful workshop that will improve your team’s dynamics and show your people you're ready to invest in their well-being and success.

Ready to craft a more playful and effective team retreat or workshop?

• Schedule a risk-free 30-minute consult here.

Check out some of our case studies:

• All-Employee Retreat For Engineering Services Company
• Community Building For BIWOC in STEM
• Engineering Management Team Offsite

Let’s make team experiences more fun and powerful!

Playfully yours,

Jyoti Jani Patel

Principal and Founder at Spille: Play

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