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Beyond The Water Cooler
Ever wondered how playfulness and authentic communication could revolutionise workplace culture and accelerate outstanding leadership? In this episode I joined Chris Marshall , Behavioural Scientist and Founder of The Playfulness Institute, as a guest on his ' The Being Playful Podcast '. We talked about how creating the right environment enables both people and businesses to flourish. I shared my perspective on workplace dynamics, revealing how understanding and responding to human needs creates environments where creativity, innovation, and authentic connection can thrive. I explain how focusing on the human side of business leads to better performance and engagement. The conversation explores the deep connection between environment, emotional awareness, and performance, with key insights including: The distinction between controlling performance and creating conditions for excellence How acknowledging emotions can transform team dynamics The importance of leaders modelling authentic behaviour Why collective intelligence trumps individual brilliance The power of understanding and working with our natural stress responses We deep dive into: How creating psychologically safe environments enables peak performance Why pausing and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership The importance of normalising emotional responses in professional settings How playfulness naturally emerges when stress levels decrease The role of curiosity in fostering innovation and connection The discussion takes fascinating turns into how both playfulness and emotional awareness can help manage uncertainty, encourage authentic expression, and create environments where innovation flourishes. This leads to more effective leadership and deeper workplace relationships. More about Chris: Chris Marshall is a Behavioural Scientist, Futurist and Psychologist and the founder of The Playfulness Institute, a not-for-profit organisation that helps organisations, teams and leaders cultivate places where humans can thrive through playfulness. Links to contact Chris: LinkedIn: Chris Marshall The Playfulness Institute Website: www.playfulnessinstitute.org Resources & References Podcast Survey Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk) The Being Playful Podcast (Spotify) The Being Playful Podcast (Apple Podcasts) Playful Insights - Playfulness Institute Blog Three Pillar Playfulness Scale (chris-enne0sss.scoreapp.com) The Playful Advantage by Chris Marshall (ebook) (www.amazon.com) To be on the receiving end of new, free, downloadable resources, join the club here: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub Contact details for Lisa LLoyd: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology Website: itstimeforchange.co.uk Sign up to be kept in the loop: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub Contact me: itstimeforchange.co.uk/contact Email: lisa@itstimeforchange.co.uk…