Psychological safety and play at work: Essential tools for every aspiring workplace wizard

Are there particular games you remember playing in your childhood? Perhaps you raided the bank in a good game of Monopoly or searched for the culprit in a round of Cluedo. 

When I reminisce about my childhood, I remember our family Scrabble games. At the slightest hint of defeat, my younger brother would launch the board into the air, ensuring a no-win scenario for all.  

Despite his tender age of six or seven, this act of board-flipping rebellion was met with a nod of 'that's kids for you,' and the game would abruptly end as a 'lesson' for him. Meanwhile, I sat there, robbed of my victory dance and the elusive triple-word score that seemed as distant as my baby teeth.  

But let's face it: The thrill of victory is a timeless joy shared by all, regardless of age or background. The significance of play in childhood development is so renowned that some countries, like Finland, delay the start of formal schooling until the ripe old age of seven. Yet society nudges us to pack away our toys and face adulthood as soon as we hit the big 1-0. 

Now, why am I strolling down this memory lane, you ask? Surely, as a grown-up with grown-up things like a job and a pension, games are trivial, right? Wrong!  

Enter Dr Stuart Brown, who wrote the book "Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul” which showcases play's pivotal role in honing our social finesse, adaptability, smarts, creativity, and problem-solving prowess. These are the very tools of the trade for any aspiring workplace wizard.  

So, maybe it's time to dust off that old Scrabble board? 

What is psychological safety, and why is it important? 

Harvard Business School's Amy Edmondson first coined the phrase ‘psychological safety’ when uncovering the secret of flourishing companies. It turns out that when employees can speak up, make mistakes without fear, and feel like they're part of the bigger picture, magic happens. They grow, they innovate, and they stick around, making the company look good.  

Edmondson's website offers a free survey that explores your company's demographic diversity and risk-taking temperature. It's like the difference between a free gourmet meal and that eerie feeling of being followed home at night – one leaves you on top of the world, the other has you checking over your shoulder.  

Despite a whopping 94% nodding in agreement on its importance, a mere 10% of organisations actually roll out the red carpet for psychological safety. It's not just about feeling cosy at work; it's about keeping talent, buffing up the company's image, and turning up the performance dial. 

How can you increase psychological safety within your team?  

Ever sauntered into a room and been smacked in the face by an odour that could knock out a rhino, yet everyone's acting like their noses are on vacation? That's the vibe in a psychologically unsafe workplace - everyone's aware of the stench, but mum's the word. 

Creating a psychologically safe team is like baking a cake—it starts with the right ingredients, and the main one is communication. It's all about how leadership communicates and how it trickles down to the rest of the team.  

There's a saying, "Those that stick together, speak together," which is not found in any proverb collection but really does sound profound, doesn't it? 

When looking to improve your communication as a leader, there’s no magic wand to zap perfect communication skills into existence. But you can consider whether you’re: 

• Open when sharing your concerns with the team - Brene Brown’s TED talk on the power of vulnerability has over 65 million views and highlights how important it is for people to show their softer side to build connections and help others feel safe around them. 
• Able to reach out for a lifeline when you feel like you’re sinking? 
• Confident enough to say "no" when you’re in over your head? 
• Able to tackle tough talks with your team - or do you procrastinate? 

Using play to increase psychological safety within your team 

Playtime isn't just for kids. Adults need fun too, and it's a big part of building a psychologically safe space. The National Institute of Play tells us there are eight types of play, but let's zero in on four that are adult-friendly.

• Celebration and ritual play: How do you whoop it up when your team scores, big or small? Do you habitually move on to the next goal and forget about it?   
• Body and movement play – think of it as the gym class you never want to skip, where activities like tennis or axe throwing get your heart racing. Is your company on board with fitness? Maybe they offer deals on gym memberships or cycling schemes to work off those office biscuits. 
• Object play – bringing in opportunities for solving mysteries and puzzles or scoring goals. Remember, fidget spinners were invented for a reason - and it's not just to give your hair a break from all that twirling. 
• Social play – this is all about connecting with your fellow humans because, let's face it, we're a chatty bunch. Deadlines aren’t always fun, but what about team breaks that are - and don't necessarily lead to a hangover? How about letting teams take turns picking monthly activities?  

Achieving psychological safety is so important in the modern work environment, and believe it or not, play is one of the secret ingredients!

So, go ahead and pick any activity—just ensure it tickles your funny bone.

If you’d like some support with psychological safety in your workplace, take a look at our Positive Communication Skills workshop or email Doug - doug@laughology.co.uk - and he’ll be able to talk through how we can help.