How to Improve Productivity and Creativity in Your Workplace with Jeff Harry
This episode of the HR L&D Podcast is sponsored by Deel, the all-in-one Global People Platform that simplifies how you manage the entire global team lifecycle. Hire and onboard talent in over 150 countries in minutes. Run payroll in over 100 countries with one click. Offer competitive benefits, equipment, and equity from a single dashboard. From contractors, direct employees, EOR, and more, you can manage them all in one place with Deel.
Welcome to "The HR L&D Podcast," where we dive deep into transformative ideas in the human resources and learning & development space. I'm your host, Nick Day, and today we're exploring a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of workplace culture – the concept of play.
In a new study by Brigham Young University, teams that played a collaborative (video) game together for just 45 minutes were able to increase their productivity on a task by 20%.
Increase productivity 20%—who doesn’t want that?
Well to help us understand how we can achieve these gains today is Jeff Harry who has a rich background in L&D and he also combines insights from psychology with practical strategies to help companies cultivate more engaging and creative workplaces.
Jeff was selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers and has been featured in the NY Times, Mashable, Upworthy, Huffpost, Shondaland, Wired, NPR, & Forbes.
Jeff has also worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day.
In the episode we cover:
- The Role of Play in the Workplace: How play enhances innovation, resilience, and happiness.
- Creating Psychological Safety: Ensuring employees feel seen, heard, and valued.
- Practical Integration of Play: Incorporating play into HR and L&D strategies.
- Cultural Shift Towards Play: Developing a workplace culture that fosters creativity.
- Steps for HR Leaders: Practical actions to encourage a playful and innovative environment.
- Addressing Toxicity: Identifying and resolving toxic leadership issues.
- Adaptability and Future Trends: Embracing change and experimenting with new ideas.
- Advice for Leaders and New Professionals: Encouraging self-discovery and adaptability.
Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea
Connect with Jeff:
Website - https://www.rediscoveryourplay.com/consulting
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffharryplays
Sign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7
Connect with Nick Day:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/
Of course, if you are an HR or L&D professional listening to this podcast and you have an HR, HRIS or L&D related vacancy that you would love some specialist HR recruitment support with – please also get in touch with me! I would love to help show you what a great HR recruitment experience feels like! You can reach out to me directly at nick@jgarecruitment.com or give me a call – 01727800377.
Thanks for listening folks – I look forward to bringing you the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast real soon!
(00:00) Preview and Introduction
(02:00) Human Resources and the Power of Play
(04:21) Defining Play in the Workplace
(05:50) Balancing Play and Perfection
(07:19) Psychological Safety and Trust
(09:30) Incorporating Play in Learning and Development
(10:35) Google's 20% Time and Zone of Genius
(14:06) Jeff Harry's Background and Journey
(18:17) Importance of Addressing Workplace Issues
(20:01) Universality of Play Across Organizations
(26:03) Importance of Values and Good Leadership
(29:51) The Importance of Psychological Safety in HR Strategy
(32:47) Consequences of Not Integrating Play
(34:24) Hard Questions for HR to Ask
(37:36) Play and Fun vs. Professionalism
(41:00) The Role of Comedy and Fun in the Workplace
(45:22) Exploring the Four-Day Workweek
(51:14) Common Traits of Effective Leaders
