What if more play is the key to better work? This episode flips the script on what it means to be "professional."

Nikki sits down with Mike Montague, author of Playful Humans, to explore why play isn’t just for kids or weekends. In fact, it might be your team's biggest untapped superpower.

From challenging hustle culture to reimagining how we measure productivity, Mike brings humor, heart, and a whole lot of wisdom. They unpack the three types of work, dive into the magical "Five P’s" that fuel thriving workplaces, and get real about why forced fun just doesn’t cut it.

If you're ready to ditch the burnout and build work cultures where people actually want to show up, hit play. 🛝

 

Additional Resources:

Take the Playful Humans Quiz!

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn

Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube!

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

 

Key Takeaways:

• Play enhances, not opposes, meaningful work.
• Physical, intellectual, and spiritual work require different approaches.
• The “Five P’s” (Performance, Pause, Ponder, Play, Practice) drive fulfillment.
• Choice and control boost engagement.
• Real play is voluntary… forced fun backfires.