Team-Building Without the Cringe: How Play Transforms Workplaces

I’m so excited about this episode because I get to chat with the incredible Emy Mylona about something we don’t always associate with the workplace, play!Emy shares her journey from being a shy student to becoming a passionate advocate for bringing play into professional spaces. We dive into how play can unlock human potential, spark collaboration, and make work more engaging. We also tackle some common misconceptions about gamification, the importance of being intentional with playful practices, and how to navigate resistance when introducing play at work.One of my favorite parts of our conversation is how Emy breaks down the real impact of play, how it’s not just about having fun, but about creating meaningful connections, fostering innovation, and even enhancing career development. We also get into visual mapping, the power of reflection, and how leaders can create environments where people feel safe to show up as their authentic selves.And of course, Emy shares some practical ways to incorporate play into your work life, plus some great book and podcast recommendations to keep the learning going. I can’t wait for you to hear this one!Key Takeaways:The power of play can transform team dynamics and foster collaboration.Gamification doesn't have to be complex; simple interventions can be effective.Finding inspiration for playful practices can come from everyday experiences.Resistance to play often stems from fear of appearing unprofessional.Play unlocks human potential in the workplace.Creating safe spaces fosters authenticity and openness in teams.Resources Mentioned:Ice Breaker Questions GeneratorEpisode: How Might We Create Space for Mindset Shift in Learning ExperiencesEdward Tufte: https://www.edwardtufte.com/books/ How We Learn by Benedict CareyPsycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell MaltzFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanThe Realistic Happiness Podcast by Daisy IlariaThe Learning and Development Podcast by David JamesConnect with Emy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emymylona/ Website: https://teamifyed.com/ More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.