Goofing off can be genius: #play hard if you want to #innovate hard 💡🎈
Startups often breed a culture of "genius teams" - always on, always chasing the next big thing. As Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg, PhD notes in her thought-provoking HBR article "What Sets Genius Teams Apart", this intensity can lead to burnout. https://lnkd.in/edf2mwJ3
The antidote? Diffusing tension through play. Breakthroughs can come from coffee breaks, LEGO building, or even impromptu moments of connection. These playful moments aren't just fun—they're fuel for creativity and problem-solving. 🧠💡
At Synadia, we've found power in these unplanned moments of playfulness:
✅ During a recent meeting, we realized we were all wearing black t-shirts - a simple observation that sparked laughter and camaraderie. 👕😄
✅ In another instance, a team introduction session turned into a delightful exchange of unique experiences, from ghostwriting for tech icons to growing up in pre-boom Silicon Valley.
✅ A playful chat about acronyms led to our catchy "BYON" (Bring Your Own NATS) marketing term. https://lnkd.in/eqybnncW. Our VP of Engineering and Product, Byron Ruth, couldn't help but chuckle at how often his name got mixed up in the process. Who knew Byron would become our unofficial BYON mascot? 🎩✨👨💻
✅ Even using Gen AI for initial prototypes has become a form of creative play for our small but mighty Marketing team (4 and counting!), speeding up our journey to final products. (I wrote about this idea in my recent AI newsletter. ➡ https://lnkd.in/eAZ8DGKX If a picture is worth 1,000 words, a prototype is worth 1,000 thoughts. )
If we work hard, we should 'work hard' at playing too. This balance might be the true recipe for sustainable innovation.
What's your team's favorite way to inject play into the workday? Share your stories below! 👇💬
#Innovation #GeniusTeams #WorkHardPlayHard #CreativePlay #Synadia #StartupLife
