BRAIN CHECK | 83
Is voluntariness essential for all play at work?
“Yes it is. I’ve interviewed several consultants who call themselves Play Advocates. One of their gurus told me that he coaches participants in the art of saying no before he holds a workshop.” Isn’t there a chance that you feel slightly inhibited if you say no?
“You can’t get away from that.
out, just like when you workout at a gym. You have to do it regularly to reap the long-term benefits. Some American companies claim to be exaggeratedly fun places to work. I wouldn’t like to work there if I were American. Having to go around acting euphoric all the time can’t be that much fun.” What happens in the brain when we play?
“Companies that manage to create a playful atmosphere don’t really need a Christmas party” There’s always group pressure trying to suck you in, but nobody should feel forced.” You’ve conducted a study that shows that improvisation theatre also improves creativity.
“That’s probably the most effective way to generate ideas and collaborate in a work group or management team. The creativity in a group increases nearly threefold when the employees play improvisation theatre together. Even here it’s vital that everybody taking part do so voluntarily.” What is good to do and what is not so good to do?
“It’s nearly always good, but not if the participants are stressed, if there is unease in the room, a conflict or crisis. There’s no point in trying to improve the atmosphere with playfulness then. It has to be playful the whole time. When you arrive in the morning, during the coffee break … Companies that manage to create a playful atmosphere don’t really need a Christmas party. It’s part of the company culture, week in and week
“Experimenting and trying new things is part of the learning process. You become more flexible in your associations because there’s an imaginary element built around fantasy, which is good for your creativity. Man is one of very few animals that retains the lust to play after puberty. Most animals play when young but later stop. In play you can test new behaviour and thoughts without having to take the consequences. Animal studies show that animals that don’t get to play lack basic survival instincts like reproduction and social skills.” Isn’t dopamine, which is part of the reward system and affects our moods and emotions, also involved when we play?
“If it’s fun and absorbing then yes, it also plays a part.” In an interview in Meetings International (3/2013), Management Professor Alf Rehn said that we have to get beyond what he calls the self-evident realm when we think outside the box. When we get close to the border the brain secretes stress hormones to
stop us continuing. If we stop and carry on as usual, the brain rewards us with dopamine. He argues that we show enormous hatred and loathing when faced with real change. This is fundamental. How do you get people to pass through the self-evident realm?
“I don’t like working out in a gym and I don’t run marathons. I’m a civilised person who takes walks. Last week I joined my son in decathlon training. I climbed a tree and ran up a hill. I was exhausted but it was great fun. I was completely absorbed by it and experienced total flow and felt like I was leaving my comfort zone. There are very few people who do it solely on the basis of rational reasoning. Play is a pleasurable way of tricking people out of their comfort zones.” You’ve interviewed creativity and play consultants all over the world. What sticks out the most?
“The fact that they use play deliberately. They have their methods of introducing play to organisations. Most of them say they do it to build up group trust. When you play together with somebody, lark about, open up, something happens.” You drop your guard …
“Yes, and you break down hierarchies. Not so relevant in Sweden perhaps, but in many other countries you need to know your place in the hierarchy. They also use it to make people more aware of their own ideas and the ideas that others have. It also engages people and generates energy in the group. You have to have a relationship to work collaboratively. Companies are not that interested in creative geniuses who work alone, they prefer people who can work in a team creatively.” Are there cultural differences?
“There is research that corroborates that, but I’ve never studied it. 2015 No. 16 MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL