Revolutionizing Workplace Culture Through Play
513: How Play Improves Business Culture and Transforms Lives with Kristi Herold
#itpaystoplay #workplaceculture #employeeengagement
How Can Play Revolutionize Your Workplace? In this engaging episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Kristi Herold, founder and CEO of JAM Group and author of It Pays to Play: How Play Improves Business Culture, to explore how integrating fun and play into the workplace can drastically improve culture, productivity and profitability.
Kristi shares her inspiring journey, starting with organizing social events in high school to creating a vibrant company specializing in adult recreational sports leagues and corporate events. With her commitment to fostering fun and connection, Kristi reveals actionable strategies and real-life examples of how play can lead to happier employees, stronger teams, and ultimately, better business outcomes.
Ranked in 2020 Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and a leader of a global company that has connected millions of people through play, producing and delivering over 4,000 playful corporate events in over 30 countries, Kristi offers a fresh perspective as a businesswoman who understands both the importance of valuing your team and driving business performance.
0:00 – Introduction
1:37 – The Importance of Fun and Memorable Moments at Work
3:11 – Underutilized Office Amenities and Their True Potential
6:15 – Why Annual Events Aren’t Enough for Great Workplace Culture
10:05 – Integrating Play into Daily Work Life Innovatively and Affordably
13:30 – House Systems and Playful Competitions at JAM
16:45 – Real-life Examples of Successful Workplace Fun Initiatives
20:12 – Benefits of Social Sports and Mental Health Insights
24:35 – The Role of Virtual and In-Person Events in Team Building
28:04 – Outsourcing Event Organization to Benefit HR
30:37 – Launching Gully Cricket—Innovative Ideas from Playful Interactions
34:52 – Participation Processes and Encouraging Joint Activities
37:05 – Connecting Fun with Business Networking and Client Acquisition
40:20 – Conclusion and Special Offer from Kristi Herold
Favorite Quotes
Employee Engagement: “People remember the fun moments, not the boardroom meetings.”
Diverse Activities: “Fun should always be optional—offer diverse activities to cater to different interests."
Get the LEADERS OF TRANSFORMATION community PLAYING with this Special Offer: 10 recommendations on how to integrate PLAY at work with Kristi’s free PLAYbook. PLUS 25% off a JAM event with your team: https://www.kristiherold.com/lot25/
Episode Show Notes and Additional Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/513-it-pays-to-play-revolutionizing-workplace-culture-through-play-with-kristi-herold/
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