Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Play at Work






As anyone who has taken my course over the past five years can attest, I am all for toys in the workplace.  I am sure this comes as no surprise as I try to integrate toys into the retraining of adults to think more creatively and get in touch with their inner child.  This in no way should be interpretted as going for a gag but is rather a systematic approach to enticing creativity out of those who have gotten so serious that they can have a hard time lightening up and illuminating their own great ideas.  In search of the keys to unlock all the potential students, friends and even myself often bury, I think having toys, trophies, random words, pictures and games within easy reach helps a great deal.  Here is a recent article on CNN which highlights the issue with their article and accompanying slide show on "Toy story: Office playthings come of age" by Rose Hoare.  The article does advocate creating a workplace setting inclusive of toys for purposes beyond creativity, the author investigates overall work place well being and illustrates a few examples of professionals in different career settings and their unique personal toys of choice.  What are yours? Are you pro or con for toys in the workplace?

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