Lead with a dash of Play

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 Sanbar
• Jay Guilford
• Annette Mason
• Michelle Li  
• Bridget Quigg

Check 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 Ware

Check 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 Burgess

Listen 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themes that emerged in our discussions this season include: identity, creativity, agency, joy, and getting rid of our outdated notion of work being “serious.”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 5
• Kathy Klotz-Guest, episode 1
• Neville Billimoria, episode 6
• Gary Ware, episode 11
• Annette Mason, episode 12
• Amy Climer, episode 4
• Jay Guilford, episode 8
• Jeff Harry, episode 2
• Mike Ganino, episode 14
• Natalie Nixon, episode 13
• Ruksana Hussain, episode 3
• Garry Ridge, episode 10
• Michelle Li, episode 7
• Van Lai DuMone, episode 9

For 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 Ganino

Mike 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 Nixon

Natalie 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 Coelho

GUEST: Annette Mason

Annette Mason is a lifelong traveler, learner, and child of the world.

Annette's inner drivers are

• Faith 
• Wholehearted Travel 
• Curiosity 
• Family 
• Meaningful Connection

Annette 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 Ware

Gary 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 Ridge

Garry 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-DuMone

Van 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/