When play becomes a leadership strategy

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Gary Ware—founder of Breakthrough Play, author of “Playful Rebellion” and a workplace culture expert helping teams rediscover creativity, connection and resilience through the power of play. Gary began his career in marketing and communications, building a successful track record in the agency world and eventually stepping into agency leadership. But after a difficult professional turning point that forced him to rethink what came next, he found himself returning to something that had long brought him energy and clarity: Improvisation, play and the kind of joyful experimentation that helps people feel more human at work. Today, Gary helps organizations strengthen culture, collaboration and communication by challenging the workplace norms that lead to burnout, disconnection and stale thinking. Through Breakthrough Play, he shows teams how applied improvisation and playful practices can unlock trust, spark creativity and help people navigate uncertainty with more confidence. His work has earned recognition from Culture Amp, which named him one of the top 25 emerging culture creators, and his message continues to resonate with leaders looking for healthier, more effective ways to work. Gary reveals play, rest, joy and goofiness as essential tools for high performance and human connection.