Building better connections through PLAY.

Think back to when you first started at your job. You were probably nervous, not just about the workload, but about how you'd fit in with the people you work with. Whether working remotely or in the same workplace, those relationships are important to feeling accepted, and feeling like a real member of the team.

No, you don't have to be best friends with everyone you work with, but it is very important that colleagues know each other beyond just the work you do. We've got 3 great tips to help your team connect more smoothly and easily.

Topics: Team Building, Connection, virtual company events

Have you ever wondered how to make it less awkward to get to know your colleagues? Whether colleagues who have been acquainted for years but don't really have a tight bond or a class of new hires, there must be a way to make this process easier and more fun. Right? 

Abso-freaking-lutely! So we thought about it and created something fun, fast, and friendly. It's called 52 Connections. Trust us, you're going to want to grab our deck of cards and start playing.

Topics: Connection, company events, Games, Activities, virtual company events

With the latest advice from the coronavirus task force to limit gathering to groups with 10 or fewer, many companies across the country have decided to implement teleworking policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Whether your company always works remotely or is doing so temporarily, there are very real benefits gained from offering this flexibility to employees.

But it does take some forethought to build or maintain a team when you're not physically in the same place.

Topics: Team, Team Building, Connection, Games, Remote Working, Working Remotely, coronavirus

Many companies have already implemented policies, communications, and contingencies for how they will operate during the current public health issue of the coronavirus (COVID-19). And while there is no way to overstate how important those preparations are, there's another hugely important thing for companies to consider:

Topics: Connection, Company Culture, Leadership, coronavirus

When all 25 New York City-based team members of the ZogLife office worked remotely for nearly two months while their workspace underwent a refresh, the team used it as an opportunity to experiment.

Topics: Office Culture, Play, Team, Team Building, Productivity, Ideas, Employee Engagement, Connection, Employee Experience, Company Culture, Leadership, Goals, Tips, Fun, Working Remotely

The experts have spoken: Play is more than just fun and games. But as HR professionals and people leaders, how can we be strategic in using play to engage your coworkers? How can we design experiences that make employees excited to raise their hand and jump in the game?

Topics: Office Culture, Play, Team Building, Event Planning, Play at Work, Corporate Event Planning, Company Retreats, Ideas, Employee Engagement, Fun at Work, Connection, Culture, Employee Experience, Company Culture, Tips, Human Resources, diversity and inclusion, company events, Employee Appreciation, Fun, Play Personalities, Stuart Brown

Let’s get one thing straight: Play isn’t just kid stuff. There’s a science to how we play, and it affects our lives in important ways—from how we work to what we find fulfilling. In fact, some social scientists suggest play might be the most important work we do.

Topics: Office Culture, Play, Play at Work, Reflections, Fun at Work, Connection, Culture, Company Culture, Skills, Fun, Play Personalities, Stuart Brown

Don’t run from it. Don’t fight it. Don’t ignore it. Lean into it.

Topics: Office Culture, Play, Team, Play at Work, Work Life Balance, Fun at Work, Work Culture, Connection, Culture, Employee Experience, Community, Company, Company Culture, Sports, Tips, Games, March Madness, Basketball, NCAA Tournament

Welcome to Leaders In Play! We interview people who take having FUN at work very seriously. We know, it seems like a crazy concept, but incorporating Play At Work has been proven to improve employee engagement, creativity, recruitment, retention, and provide countless other benefits that help create healthy company culture. Read on to learn more about our featured leader and their definition of Play, both in and out of the workplace.

Topics: Office Culture, Event Planning, Play at Work, Work Culture, Connection, Culture, Employee Experience, Company, Company Culture, Leadership, Human Resources, company events, Employee Recognition, Games, Interview, Leaders In Play

As a kid, did you buy those pharmacy-branded Valentine’s Day Cards with cheesy sayings like “Just speeding by with Valentine 'Hi'”?

Topics: Office Culture, Team Building, Holiday, Gratitude, Connection, Culture, Employee Experience, Company, Company Culture, Core Values, Tips, Human Resources, Games, Valentine's Day, Love

I don’t usually care much for these designated holidays. But National Girls & Women in Sports Day? You got me there. I’ll play.

Topics: Play, Reflections, Gratitude, Connection, Community, Core Values, Sports, Women, Empowerment

Grow or die! Right?

Topics: Play, About, Connection, Community, Company

We’ve all been there. We’re exhausted, finally finished working a 12 hour day and just want to get home in time for the Bachelor before someone ruins the episode for you on Facebook. You finally board the subway after not being able to fit on the first two because, although people are screaming it in your ear, people won’t actually MOVE IN! You’re hungry, cranky, and sweating more than you do when you go to the gym to take selfies of yourself “working out. #motivationmonday” And then there’s that one person who becomes the final straw. The passenger that gives you that last push of inspiration you needed to make that ultimate decision of “that’s it — i’m getting married and moving to Westchester.” We understand and we are right there with you. So let’s take a moment to honor those who inspire us…

Topics: Play, Connection, Lifestyle, Community, NYC

Core values have received more attention in the past year than ever before. More companies are recognizing that improving their office culture is a strategy that leads to sustainable success and at the center of a company’s culture are the core values in which they truly believe.

Topics: Play, Values, About, Connection, Company Culture

I was 22 years old. It was my first job post college. I already missed the camaraderie of college and playing intramural sports, but this was my first real job (and a tough one at that — at global consulting firm Mercer). I needed to focus 100% on work. Make a good impression. Show them how committed I was. Didn’t I?

Topics: Play, Team, Connection, Community, Company Culture