Lead with a dash of Play

What does play have to do with finding your soul’s mission? For Deb Valentina, they are absolutely connected, and result in the joy of being in the place you are meant to be. Hear her thoughts on deep soul work, intuition or knowingness, and its connection to play and joy. But first, Debra and I spoke of the power of names. Deb? Debra? She is both and has been both in a journey of leadership and coaching leaders alike.Guest: Debra Valentina  As a Soul Voice Catalyst & Midwife, Debra, founder of Creativing, has a passion for empowering women to birth their soul’s passion project, including writing their unique stories. To this end, Debra has spent over 35 years as a holistic life and writing coach for professional women who want to make a difference in their communities and the world. Debra is an international bestselling author and speaker on leadership topics. In March 2024 Debra spoke at the United Nations at the international Conference on the Status of Women. 

Do you play at work? Jacqueline Lloyd Smith does. As Founder of Strategic Play® Global and a Master Trainer in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Methods, play is critical to achieving the serious outcomes she gets for companies. But it’s more than that. Given the high disengagement rates of workers these days, play could well be what humanity needs. Hear her stories about facilitating with bricks, the oppression of play in Western culture, and the power of getting back in touch with how you played as a kid.Guest Bio: Jacqueline Lloyd SmithFounder of Strategic Play® Global Jacquie has over twenty years of experience facilitating critical problem-solving sessions for organizational clients that include Adidas, NASA, Procter & Gamble and the United Nations. Jacquie’s credentials include a Master's in Conflict Analysis and Management, an MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University, and certifications as an Art and Play Therapist, Visual Coach, and Creative Problem Solver. She is also one of only four original global master trainers with LEGO® Systems Group and a certified facilitator and trainer of facilitators in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methods. “The true, true opposite of play is fear.”“To be able to be really full of joy, we have to be able to play.”The 30 Circles activity noted during the podcast is one of three creative exercises described here:https://hbr.org/2013/11/three-creativity-challenges-from-ideos-leaders

Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, authors of “Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement,” draw connections between the practice of Appreciative Inquiry (AI), and approaching work - and conversations - with a sense of play. This type of AI invites curiosity, storytelling, imagination, and a tuning in to those around us. That’s a lot of play!Explore the book and course here: https://www.conversationsworthhaving.today/ 30% discount on the course for Lead with a dash of Play listeners. Use code: LEADWITHPLAYAnd the game, Shift This!, here: https://www.conversationsworthhaving.today/shift-this Guest Bio: Jackie StavrosJackie Stavros, DM is co-founder of CWH Institute, Inc and professor and management consultant in the College of Business and Information Technology at Lawrence Technological University. She has worked across all sectors and in over 25 countries using Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to affect the lives of thousands of people and hundreds of organizations improve capacity to thrive and increase performance. Her research is grounded in the AI, neuroscience, and positive psychology to help others understand how their conversations influence their wellbeing and ability to succeed. Guest Bio: Cheri Torres  Cheri Torres, PhD, co-founder and executive officer for CWH Institute Inc, where she helps individuals, teams, and entire systems unlock their potential through the power of communication. With decades of experience in education, business, and community development, Cheri specializes in professional development and whole-system culture change using Appreciative Inquiry—one of the most widely adopted approaches for positive transformation.Cheri and Jackie coauthored “Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement” (www.cwh.today) 

How do you know who is ready to play? With Lee Kim, we discuss the creation of playgrounds for adults - within corporate and civic spaces. Blending design thinking and “a space of yes,” playgrounds invite meaningful co-creation. Explore more about the ideas and playgrounds Lee mentions:Inyeon meaning: https://www.kinfolk.com/stories/word-inyeon/ Wearable Tracy - Short Documentary on the New Yorker Documentary Platform: https://youtu.be/c0Xu25ZmFg8 Community built before Covid: www.designdreamlab.orgCommunity built after Covid: www.designthinkingzeal.comGUEST: Lee KimLee is a designer thinker, an engineer, and also a certified Lego Serious Play facilitator. She founded a community innovation lab - Design Dream Lab, where anyone with a giving heart can create an impact and dream of a better future. Lee loves building and fostering creativity through everyday experiences and finds joy in connecting dots with other fun-loving and joyful human beings. Lee is always exploring ways to spark human curiosity and connections through story-making and experience design with simple activations.  You may see her wearing a colorful pipe cleaner crown walking around the streets of New York City sending signals to connect with another curious human being!

Is there space for playfulness in the most serious of moments? Liz Vogel is a leader in the preservation of American democracy - and in intentional gathering. It’s easy to challenge whether play has a space with the stakes are high and the content serious, but Liz embodies a playful spirit even when confronting the toughest of issues. We discuss democracy, end-of-life, vintage clothes, and more.Resources mentioned:Priya Parker - The Art of GatheringDay Schildkret - Ritual and Morning AltarsEboo Patel at American University, We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy Friends honor artist’s last wishes with water ballet in a Seattle kiddie pool “Some prefer funerals, some prefer having their ashes scattered, but local artist Briar Bates chose a different way to commemorate her death — instructing her friends to perform a water ballet in the wading pool at Volunteer Park.” GUEST: Liz VogelLiz Vogel currently serves as Co-Executive Director at New Pluralists, where she guides funders to collaborate and invest together to strengthen belonging, trust and cooperation across differences in the U.S. This builds on over two decades of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Liz is deeply rooted in relationships and community, as seen and felt in her personal and professional gatherings, and exudes a life-long curiosity which has led her to the creation of vintage clothing parties, becoming a death doula, and being a modern elder in training.

Retired Colonel Jason M. Trew -"TOGA" - studied at the Air Force school for strategists (earning a PhD) and came out with some fascinating insights on play. Introducing the concept of “warped play,” TOGA shares insights on the power of play for strategy development - providing opportunity to practice before we are in the highest pressure situations.GUEST: Col Jason “TOGA” Trew, PhD (USAF Retired)At the time of our conversation, Colonel Jason M. Trew, who goes by the callsign "TOGA," was serving as the Commandant and Dean of the premier strategy course in the Department of Defense. In the time since the interview, TOGA has relinquished command, retired from the Air Force and began teaching for the Savannah College of Art and Design. Anything expressed in this interview are his personal views and do not reflect the official policy of -- or endorsement by -- any part of the US Government.TOGA entered the Air Force in 1999 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and Russian Area Studies. After flying trainer and fighter aircraft for the first half of his career, he spent a decade focused on innovations in education, strategy, and leadership. This included a year studying at the Air Force school for strategists, earning a PhD in the history of technology, coaching innovation teams across the federal government, and leading the design team for Space Force education. He has extensive training in facilitation and design thinking and is also certified as a performance coach, personal trainer, and an Ironman triathlon coach. 

In a world filled with uncertainty, urgency, and division, what happens when leaders show up with a playful mindset? Lead with a Dash of Play returns to explore how play can help us navigate serious challenges with connection, imagination, creativity and courage. Maybe play is exactly what is needed in this moment.

The final bash of summer should give inspiration and release - and in the case of play, we find that with curiosity and one of its most passionate advocates, Scott Shigeoka. Even beyond play in professional spaces, Scott seeks to make the curiosity that transforms political structures more accessible, more playful, more joyful.Scott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and the author of SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. He is known for translating research into strategies that promote positive well-being and connected relationships around the globe, including at the UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and through his groundbreaking courses at the University of Texas at Austin. Scott implements his curiosity practices in the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, Hollywood, media organizations, education institutions, and small businesses.Learn more about Seek: https://seekthebook.com/

How do you keep play accessible? It can be through physically keeping something close, through the questions we ask ourselves, or through verbal and visual cues we notice during the work day.Featuring Past Guests:Garry RidgeKathy Klotz-GuestRuksana HussainNeville Billimoria

Meetings are such a ubiquitous part of work - and often one of the spaces that can feel energy-draining. What if that wasn’t the case? The clips in this episode of “Summer Session” specifically highlight ways to make meetings better. After all, there is so much potential when people gather. Why waste that time and space?Featuring past guests (along with the offerings they share): Natalie Nixon - a free chapter of her book The Creativity LeapJocelyn Brady - Tiny Tips on YouTubeMark Collard - a database of ideas on Playmeo Amy Climer - 30d free trial of her famous Climer Cards virtual deckDave Mastronardi - Gamestorming protocols for all your work woes

A recurring theme on Lead with a dash of Play is how play can build connections. In the second episode of this summer session on how to play, hear highlights from guests’ suggestions on how to build connection with play in small ways that can be incorporated every day. Featuring past guests: Paul SanbarJay GuilfordAnnette MasonMichelle Li  Bridget QuiggCheck out their full episodes for more inspiration.

Play helps us be authentic - to actually be seen more truly by others. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to play. In the first of this summer session on play, we listen to some entry ways to start to play for yourself - storytelling, physically moving, giving yourself a challenge or creating the space for others to problem-solve. Featuring past guests (in this order): Jeff Harry Van Lai Du-Mone Neel Doshi Mike Ganino Gary WareCheck out their full episodes from Season Two.

A second bonus episode for season two. I’ve had the pleasure of being a guest on several podcasts myself during this season, sharing in part what I’ve learned doing the Lead with a dash of Play podcast. This bonus episode shares some clips from the Ways We Learn podcast in which I was interviewed by Sean Dagony-Clark and Joe BurgessListen to the full conversation on the Ways We Learn podcast, episode here.

We rarely have as much time as we want these days, so for leaders who want a taste of my brilliant guests this season - or listeners who want a quick reminder of some of the ideas - here it is. Some of the themes that emerged in our discussions this season include: identity, creativity, agency, joy, and getting rid of our outdated notion of work being “serious.” Whether you're looking for individual professional development, inspiration to change the structures in your organization, or a change in the world, take a listen! And then listen to the full episode from someone who inspires you. This season's guests heard in this order:Neel Doshi, episode 5Kathy Klotz-Guest, episode 1Neville Billimoria, episode 6Gary Ware, episode 11Annette Mason, episode 12Amy Climer, episode 4Jay Guilford, episode 8Jeff Harry, episode 2Mike Ganino, episode 14Natalie Nixon, episode 13Ruksana Hussain, episode 3Garry Ridge, episode 10Michelle Li, episode 7Van Lai DuMone, episode 9For more about me and how I play, join my newsletter: https://maryhendra.com/mary/

It’s easy to forget that kids play to sort things out, to discover boundaries, to problem-solve. So why do we think adult play is wholly different? Mike Ganino shares ways narrative play helps us identify what is possible and inspire change - individually and systemically. And it all starts with learning to see.GUEST: Mike GaninoMike Ganino is a storytelling + communication expert who hosts The Mike Drop Moment podcast. He’s been named a Top 10 Public Speaking Coach by Yahoo Finance, and California’s Best Speaking and Communication Coach by Corporate Vision Magazine. He is an author, former Executive Producer of TEDxCambridge and has been named a Top 30 Speaker by Global Guru. He teaches storytelling, presence, and public speaking to some of the biggest names and brands. He’s a trained actor and coach from the World Famous Second City, Improv Olympics, and Upright Citizen’s Brigade. In addition to his track record as an executive in the hotel, restaurant, retail, and tech industries, Mike’s worked with organizations like the Disney, American Century Investments, American Marketing Association, and UCLA.https://www.mikeganino.com/

Play can both build a sense of awe - a practice of wonder - and the flow of committed, rigorous thought. And that combination contributes to audacity. Natalie Nixon invites us to design our space and time for wonder, give ourselves permission to daydream, and lead our teams to play and productivity.GUEST: Natalie NixonNatalie Nixon, PhD is the creativity whisperer for the C-Suite. She is a creativity strategist, global keynote speaker and author. As CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, LLC she advises leaders on transformation and helps them amplify growth and business value - by applying wonder and rigor. Natalie is one of Real Leaders' "Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World for 2022". She is the author of the award-winning The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation and Intuition at Work - an honoree in the creativity category of Fast Company's 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Her firm Figure 8 Thinking, was named among the top 20 women-led innovation firms by Core 77 in 2021.Natalie is a trustee of the Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt Design Museum; Vassar College; and Leadership+Design. She received her BA (honors) from Vassar College, and her PhD from the University of Westminster in London. She is certified as a Foresight Practitioner by the Institute for the Future.https://www.figure8thinking.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/Instagram & Twitter: @natwnixon

In pursuit of the best structure and mindset for leadership development, Annette Mason co-constructs sabbaticals. These aren’t just for those in academia. To the contrary, individuals can use sabbaticals to learn and recover; businesses can use them to create space for transition and growth. What could you do with an intentionally constructed space for curiosity, play, and learning?"Travel is never a matter of money but of courage." – Paolo CoelhoGUEST: Annette MasonAnnette Mason is a lifelong traveler, learner, and child of the world.Annette's inner drivers areFaith Wholehearted Travel Curiosity Family Meaningful ConnectionAnnette is the Founder of Trilogy Design Works, a human-centered design leadership development practice. Trilogy has evolved into a leadership practice focused on Communication, Connection, and Resilience for business leaders. Leaders get to experience personal and professional growth through fun and innovative practices that include immersive experiences, co-designing sabbaticals and curated global travel via insights tours. Clients get the opportunity to support immersive learning programs for underserved youth to grow their life skills and change the trajectory of their circumstances. https://trilogydesignworks.com/

How do you cultivate a playground of possibilities? Gary Ware found improv, and it changed the way he worked. Now he helps others incorporate play, building to a “playful rebellion” that can reshape organizational culture. “Play is the cheat code to business success, and leaders who are serious about leading need to cultivate play for themselves and their employees.” (Gary Ware, from The Playful Rebellion)GUEST: Gary WareGary Ware, the Founder of Breakthrough Play is a corporate facilitator, keynote speaker, certified coach, and author of the book Playful Rebellion: Maximize Workplace Success Through The Power of Play. Gary has over 14 years of experience in the corporate world holding various leadership positions. Being a multifaceted individual Gary also comes with nearly a decade of experience as a performer in improv theatre. After experiencing burnout in his pursuit for success and happiness, he realized that what was missing was play. Committing to a life of play is what led Gary to discover his passion for facilitating. Gary uses the power of applied improvisation and other playful methods to assist people in unlocking creativity, confidence, and better communication. Gary was recently featured as one of the Top 100 HR influencers of 2021 by the Engagedly HR software platform. When Gary isn't leading workshops or speaking, you can find him learning magic or off on an adventure with his wife Courtney and sons Garrett and Cameron. BreakthroughPlay.com

Shifting our notion of “failure” to “learning moments” gives us the opportunity to be more human. Garry Ridge led the global company WD40 for 25 years, with a playful streak that is still apparent in the stories he shares and the way he talks about the company. Can you be CEO and play?“Businesses and leaders have not only the opportunity but a real responsibility to create cultures that are engaging and where people really know they are making a difference in the world.” (Garry Ridge)According to Gallup's 2022 “State of the Global Workplace” report, only 21% of employees globally are engaged, only 33% are thriving in their overall wellbeing and 44% of employees experienced a lot of stress the previous day.GUEST: Garry RidgeGarry has 25 years of experience as Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company, a Nasdaq-listed public Company. Garry has been with WD-40 Company since 1987 in various management positions, including executive vice president, chief operating officer, and vice president of international. He has worked directly with WD-40 Company in more than 60 countries. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program. Garry’s philosophy on company culture is based on Aristotle’s quote – “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Turning that into action, he believes that all leaders can create a workplace where you go to work each day, make a contribution to something bigger than yourself, learn something new, feel safe, are protected, and are provided freedom by a set of values and go home happy! He is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company. In 2009, he co-authored a book with Ken Blanchard outlining his effective leadership techniques, titled “Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.” A native of Australia, Mr. Ridge holds a certificate in Modern Retailing and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.www.thelearningmoment.net

In her Tedx Talk, Van Lai-DuMone shares the story of how fueling curiosity gave birth to an $8.3 billion industry. We talk about the intersection of creativity and curiosity, as well as the power of building simultaneously and together to hear all voices and create something collaboratively. From art supplies to LEGO® bricks, Van engages corporate leaders to think with their hands.GUEST: Van Lai-DuMoneVan invites clients to think with their hands and use creative tools to disrupt traditional training methods.  As the founder of worksmart, a progressive team and leadership development company; Van proposes that we are all innately curious and creative, good ideas can come from any level of an organization, and by cultivating idea sharing in the workplace through creativity, everyone has a chance to have their voice heard. And when that happens - company culture, performance, and innovation can skyrocket! She studied Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and earned her MBA from Pepperdine University. She brings over 15 years of corporate and start-up experience to game changing clients including Google, LinkedIn, and Pandora. Van is a contributing writer at Thrive Global, a Fast Company Executive Board Member, and TEDx Speaker.https://www.worksmartadvantage.com/